Coys Auction - Spring Classics
Royal Horticultural Halls
Elverton St
Westminster
London SW1
Tuesday 8 March 2011
Estimate: £24,000 - £28,000
Registration Number: PHJ 586K
Chassis Number: 11102612003225
At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1969, Mercedes-Benz launched the 3.5 litre V8 engine to fill a gap in their range, and fitted it to the existing 300, renaming it 300SEL 3.5. It was also available in both fixed head coupe and cabriolet two door body styles using the extremely handsome W111 type 280SE body shell. The new model was distinguishable from its six cylinder predecessors by a lower and wider radiator grille necessary to accommodate the larger V8 motor, which fortuitously greatly improved the style of the frontal aspect.
Otherwise, these 280SE 3.5 models were identical in appearance to the earlier cars with exposed twin headlights, rounded rather than the earlier finned rear wings, and two inches extra width compared to the 220 and 300 saloons of the early 1960’s. Underne