1969 Mercedes Benz 280SE Cabriolet Automatic 2.8L Inline 6

Very well maintained 280SE Cabriolet in the original color of Light Beige over Dark Brown leather interior! Excellent driver with presentable paintwork, new front seat leathers and new convertible top! Well equipped with factory air conditioning, power steering, Becker AM/FM radio, and electric windows! One of only 1,390 Cabriolets produced! Mercedes-Benz had been producing a W111 convertible (cabriolet) since 1961, then highlighting the tail fins made popular throughout the 1950's. With this trend eroding from design styles, the W111 became slightly wider and squared off by the mid-1960's, with a monocoque body and improved suspension geometry. These design changes also came with improved performance under the hood. The original 2.2L Inline 6 cylinder power plant was replaced in early 1965 with a 2.5L version producing 30 additional horsepower. And by 1968, a lighter and more efficient 2.8L engine provided better acceleration and top end, which carried the model through to the end of production in 1971. Visible changes included new 14-inch rims, which came with new one-piece hub cabs accommodating the larger disk brakes and restyled exterior mirror. Inside, the car received a wood veneer option on the dashboard and other minor changes, including door lock buttons and different heater levers. These final production 280SE Cabriolets were an exclusive, high end model packed with features and elaborate appointments! Just 1,390 of these elegant units would be built and represent Mercedes Benz's best money could buy! Offered here is a 1969 Mercedes Benz 280SE Cabriolet finished in factory code 181H- Light Beige with Dark Brown Leather interior and matching Brown cloth convertible soft top. its original 2778cc (2.8L) Inline 6 cylinder engine with Bosch mechanical fuel injection producing 160hp/193lb. ft. of torque and 4-speed automatic transmission. Options and features include Behr Kuhlmeister air conditioning, power windows, power disc brakes, servo-assisted power steering, Becker Europa AM/FM radio, electric window lifts, Kangor front & rear seatbelts, and Bridgestone Insignia radial tires measuring 205/70R14. This example hails from the New York/Connecticut area surviving largely original and to factory specification. Improvements over the years did include an exterior repaint completed many years ago, along with new front seat upholstery and convertible top. The rear seat upholstery is factory appointed leather, and the exterior chrome and bright work also appear to remain all original. The Sekurit window glass in still intact and the solid wood veneer dash is in excellent condition, along with clear gauges and polished interior trim. Upon arrival to the St. Louis Car Museum, our service team performed an inspection and completed the following servicing; new engine oil & oil filter, new fuel & air filters, distributor cap & rotor, new spark plugs, oil pan gasket, drive shaft support bearing & flex disc, rear wheel bearing with inner/outer seals, brake fluid reservoir cap, front upper & lower control arm kit with new front steering kingpins, removed and re-cored the original radiator, new front crankshaft seal, all new coolant, heater control valve O-rings, rear axle seal and differential oil, and new intermediate exhaust with new mufflers. You will find images of the chassis stamp and supporting engine number on this very original example. It possesses no rust concerns having been garaged all its life. We welcome inspections or questions for any perspective buyers. It is priced aggressively for a quick sale.