Timeless Classics: Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet

Before we get into the details of why this car is such a powerhouse of touring luxury, just leave that bonnet closed for a moment. First, sit back and appreciate the car’s forceful good looks.

If you were asked to close your eyes and picture a classic Mercedes convertible in the ‘grand tourer’ tradition, this is quite probably the car that would pop into your mind. Not the sleekest, not the sportiest open-topped Mercedes, perhaps – but surely one of the most impressive. The car’s big, bold grille and characteristic double headlights assure us that this is the quintessential grand tourer, sitting halfway between flashy and restrained. It was designed for people who had clearly made a success of their lives, but who were refined enough to avoid the brash statement of an overtly ostentatious automobile.

V8 appeal

The name, 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, is slightly confusing. Usually, you’d expect the numerical part of a Mercedes’ name to be based on engine size – and so it was with the 220 SE, 250 SE, and the earliest 280 SE, the latter of which was powered by a 2778cc, six-cylinder engine. But in the last two years of the great W111 model series, Mercedes produced 3.5-litre V8 versions of the Coupé and Cabriolet and dubbed them 280 SE 3.5 to distinguish them from their lowlier counterparts.

In the 24 months that these final W111 models were produced, from August 1969 to July 1971, just 3,270 Coupé and 1,232 Cabriolet versions came into existence. No wonder that, today, these V8 versions are rare and much sought-after.

Fast and fun

But it’s not just their rarity that makes them so desirable, since they also represent some of the quickest Mercedes of that era. Built on the revered W111 chassis that underpinned so many great Mercedes built between 1959 and 1971, the 3.5-litre V8 had to contend with a large, heavy car but, even so, the claimed 230bhp provided enough oomph to accelerate it smoothly – and quietly – to high speeds without seeming to draw breath. The pictured car (an authentic, numbers-matching example in Silver-Blue) also boasts such refinements as four-speed automatic transmission, all-round independent suspension and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. 

According to Autocar magazine at the time, the 280 3.5 SE was “a copybook example of how experience plus careful design can create a simple-to-make high-output engine of considerable refinement.” On the other hand, according to RM Auctions (which is offering the pictured car for sale in Arizona on 15-16 January), “American buyers just called it fast and fun.”

Both opinions are equally valid.

Photos: Robin Adams © 2014 Courtesy of RM Auctions

This article is part of the 'Timeless Classics' feature series that is presented and supported by our friends at RM Auctions.

Yard Built XV950 'El Ratón Asesino' by Marcus Walz

Legendary German custom bike builder Marcus Walz is back with a stunning take on the Yamaha XV950; ‘El Ratón Asesino’ sets a new standard for detail.

The ride gets a full work over with the stock front-end suspension unit modified and lowered with prototype progressive springs whilst the rear gets fully adjustable Öhlins shocks. Hand-cast magnesium wheels by Marvic are fitted with custom adapters made in house. Custom rear sets change the ride dynamic giving a sportier sitting position.

Modified front and rear brake calipers clamp on to Wave rotors front and rear for stopping power and the bike is finished with a stunning pale blue retro paint job, pin striping, and of course Yamaha speed blocks!

courses de Noel !!! Kassensymphonie

KEVILS SPEEDSHOP SCHWARTZ

It’s the middle of the week, which means Kevils Speed Shop must built another BMW by now. Ah, here we are, found one. Joking aside, Kev Hill must run a tight ship own there in Devon as the quality and quantity of bikes leaving his workshop would take some beating.

This 1980 R100RS is the third classically styled Beemer to receive the Kevils treatment. The first was commissioned by a clothing brand and the second by a private customer. Said customer, David, ordered a classic scrambler and paid a deposit, at which point Kev and the boys set to and built more or less what you see here. With somewhat less success they tried to reach David by all modern methods of communication but failed and after nearly eight months there was no choice but to sell the bike to someone else. Another existing customer snapped it up, before the inevitable happened; David called apologetically and had to order a second bike.

The aim was to make this version look like a production scrambler from the more simple, post-war period so parts from other marques have been seamlessly incorporated. Triumph USA spec high-rise and swept-back handlebars look meaner in black but really pile on the visual years; in an intentional way. Period switches and vintage style grips maintain the theme. The standard voltmeter in the headlight unit has been swapped-out for a Motogadget Tiny, with a white face to break up the black and keep things looking classily classic.

The mudgaurds have been painted gloss black with a white, twin pinstripe to match the fuel tank, before adding a retro number plate. The headlight with its continental yellow hue further belies the donor’s age.

Wire wheels make all the difference, replacing the giveaway modern cast mags. In this case the rims and spokes are powder coated black, with a pair of Continental TKC80s. The seat and detachable pillion pad are of course handmade, from quality brown leather, the latter fixes to a bespoke subframe that doubles as a luggage rack.

That retro number plate is perfect for confusing old people and scything through unruly pedestrians, I might fit one to my bike for dispatching iPhone engrossed idiots who insist on wandering into the road. Luckily for folk in David’s way the upswept Triumph silencers should provide fair warning.

As with all KSS builds, a complete and total strip down is carried out before replacing gaskets, seals and bearings; looking good stuck on the side of the road is a hard thing to pull off, so Kev makes sure his customers don’t have to try. In a similar vein, it’s rare for Kev to leave the standard Bing carbs in place as the Mikuni replacements are easier to set up, stay tuned for longer and offer crisper throttle response.

Thankfully this time David answered the phone, paid the bill and took delivery of his fine retro scrambler. From here it looks like it may well have been worth the extra wait. Check back here next week for another instalment from Kevils Speed Shop, no pressure Kev 

Professionally photographed by Focal Point studios Torbay

via The Bike Shed