Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet

One of just 68 right-hand-drive examples produced, this 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet represents the pinnacle of the Stuttgart coachbuilding tradition — the last of the hand-built Mercedes convertibles. Finished in Silver Mink Metallic over a black leather interior with charcoal carpets and a black mohair hood, it presents a restrained and period-correct colour combination that has aged gracefully. The 3.5-litre V8, fitted with Bosch electronic fuel injection and aluminium alloy heads, has benefited from a fresh engine rebuild by SL Shop, and the car carries an extensive history file with service invoices, MOTs, and tax discs stretching back to the early 1980s.

The specification is particularly well-optioned for the era: electric windows, air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, front and rear disc brakes, four-wheel independent suspension, and the desirable floor-shift automatic gearbox rather than the more common column-shift arrangement. The original Becker stereo and radio are present, supplemented by a modernised navigation system. At 20,900 miles, this W111-series Cabriolet sits comfortably in the bracket of a usable, well-maintained classic rather than an untouchable museum piece.

The 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet is widely regarded as the most collectible of the coachbuilt W111 convertibles, and RHD scarcity only amplifies that status. With thorough mechanical preparation and documented provenance, this is a serious proposition for collectors seeking one of the great open-top Mercedes of the post-war era.