Coys Auction - Techno Classica Essen
Essen
Germany
Saturday 2 April 2011
Motor Cars 15:00
Admission by catalogue only - admits two.
Estimate: €125,000 - €140,000
Registration Number: EU Registered
Chassis Number: 1110271 2000764
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 o