- The 280SE might be peak Mercedes cruiser, with effortless V-8 power and graceful good looks.
- These cars were famously over-engineered, and this example ticks all the boxes with optional extras and a great color combo.
- This is one collectible that’s truly joyous to drive.
No offense to the car, but you know Janis Joplin wasn’t praying for a 220D. She was after something divinely bestowed, one of those capital-M Mercedes from the company’s golden age of glory. Perhaps something like this gorgeous 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SE convertible, currently up for sale at Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos).
That really is an excellent shade of green. Officially called Moss Green, it’s a hue that contrasts perfectly with the buttery cognac leather and wood-trimmed interior of this big Merc droptop. With the top down and that three-pointed star pointing its crosshairs at the horizon, it’d be less like driving a car and more like piloting a luxury motor launch around the French Riviera.
Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V-8 good for 200 horsepower and 211 pound-feet of torque, transmitted to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. You can forget about any kind of AMG-infused restomod powerboat shenanigans; this 280SE is built for elegant, relaxed cruising, and few cars do it better.
Mercedes-Benz built the 280SE between 1969 and 1971, and it embodies classic grace with robust engineering. The V-8 models are relatively rare, which makes them particularly prized. This is very much a car that presaged the current Mercedes credo of “The best or nothing.”
Optional extras here include air conditioning and power windows. The W111 chassis was fairly advanced for its age, with double wishbone suspension up front and disc brakes all around. The wheels are 14 inches in diameter, running modern rubber and wearing color-matched covers.
Throw in the torque of that unstressed V-8, and you’ve got classic looks matched with performance that’s easily capable of handling modern roads. All you’d really need to add would be some proper vintage sunglasses. Dial up some Joplin on that Becker AM/FM stereo and hit the Pacific Coast Highway. It’s what Janis would have wanted.
The auction ends on March 14.
Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels.
Source: Motor - aranddriver.com
