A glance at international collector car auctions shows that 2026 is well on its way to becoming a record-breaking year. A distinct shift in buyer interest has emerged, pivoting toward 1990s and 2000s sports car icons from the likes of Ferrari and Porsche, which have fetched headline sums especially at US events. Yet the pinnacle of the W111 series, the 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, proves that established classics from earlier eras and comfort-focused automobiles without any sporting pretensions can still achieve remarkable leaps in value today.

Introduced late in the production run in September 1969, the newly developed 200 hp “M116” V8 elevated the sublime driving experience of this open-top luxury cruiser to a whole new level. The 3.5-litre engine impressed not only with its supreme refinement, but also with its muscular torque that delivered effortless pulling power right from low rpm. Combined with flawless craftsmanship, generous interior space, plush ride comfort, and a rich specification that included air conditioning and power steering, the open-air iteration of this S-Class predecessor was crowned the ultimate boulevard cruiser. Its imposing yet timeless presence still makes it the star of any country club valet lot today.

Only 1,232 cabriolets were fitted with this range-topping engine up until 1971, which explains why values have always remained comparatively high. However, this year has seen an upward surge in price trajectory. While top examples are normally changing hands for around 250,000 to 400,000 US dollars, sale prices moved up to a new level over the summer, a trend driven in part by results during Monterey Car Week.

While solid, presentable cars sit in the 150,000 to 250,000 euro range, exceptional low-mileage examples now fetch half a million euros or occasionally even more. On August 15, Mecum Auctions sold an exquisitely Brabus-restored example in the Californian coastal town for a staggering 770,000 US dollars (around 663,000 euros). This set a new public auction record for the model, comfortably eclipsing the previous benchmark of 676,000 US dollars set in 2022. Similar figures have also been reached in Europe. On July 4 of this year at RM Sotheby's Tegernsee auction, a recently restored car from the final year of production changed hands for 635,000 euros.

Compared to those top outliers, the estimate of 290,000 to 340,000 Swiss francs (308,905 to 362,164 euros) set by Emil Frey Classic Auctions for one of the 347 examples built in 1971 looks almost modest. The car impresses with a low odometer reading of just 46,000 kilometers and a desirable blue-over-blue colour scheme with a matching soft top. It has remained in the same ownership for the past 15 years and comes with Swiss Veteran status. Offered through an online auction that closes on October 3, it remains to be seen whether this 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet will cause another sensation within the Mercedes collectors scene with its final result.

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