1970 Mercedes-Benz W111 Coupe & Cabriolet

This 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE cabriolet was sold new via The Nelke Motor Company in Litchfield, Connecticut, and it is one of approximately 1,390 examples produced between 1968 and 1971. The car is powered by a 2.8-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, and it is finished in red over Light Beige leather. Equipment includes a tan convertible soft top, 14″ steel wheels, bright wheel covers, disc brakes, fog lights, dual side mirrors, lap belts, power windows, a Becker Europa radio, and air conditioning. The car was disassembled and refurbished by Hatch & Sons Automotive in Hudson, Massachusetts, under prior ownership, a process that was completed in May 1994. This W111 cabriolet is now offered by the seller on behalf of the owner in Vermont with records, literature, historical photographs, tools, and a clean Florida title in the owner’s name. The car was finished from the factory in Red (576), and it was disassembled, stripped, and repainted in that color during the refurbishment approximately 30 years ago. Equipment includes a tan convertible soft top, front vent windows, a “low-style” grille, dual side mirrors, and chrome bumpers. The 14″ steel wheels feature bright-finished covers with color-matched centers and are mounted with TravelStar UN106 tires. The suspension includes an independent double-wishbone front setup with coil springs along with a rear single-joint swing axle with hydropneumatic compensating spring and level control. Stopping power is provided by power-assisted disc brakes at each corner. The cabin features seating surfaces upholstered in Light Beige leather, and wood trim accents the dashboard and A-pillars. Amenities include individual front seats, lap belts, power windows, a dashboard-mounted clock, a Becker Europa radio, and an air conditioning system that utilizes R134a refrigerant. The Ivory two-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and fronts a 160-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature, and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 92k miles, approximately 4k of which were added under current ownership. The 2.8-liter M130 inline-six features Bosch mechanical fuel injection and was factory rated at 160 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Work in November 2022 included an oil change, replacing the upper oil line, and changing the engine belts. Records related to a refurbishment completed in May 1994 are shown in the gallery below. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Additional photographs of the underside are shown in the gallery below. A scan of the original purchase invoice from The Nelke Motor Company in Litchfield, Connecticut, lists factory colors, equipment, and a total cash delivered price of $13,868.35. Historical photographs of the car are included in a binder along with images depicting various phases of the refurbishment. The sale also includes records, tools, literature, and copies of original purchase documents. Filed under: fintail, w111