Mercedes-Benz’s second V-8, after their mighty 6.3, was a hot rod engine. Just as with a small block American V-8, the compact, fuel-injected, 3.5-liter unit would fit under the hood, where a straight six would have previously been the top offering. The new 280 SE Cabriolet looked like the six-cylinder 280, but it had big, reliable power from the new engine to power it into the 1970s and to 60 in under 10 seconds, with a 130 mph top speed. This wasn’t muscle car territory, but it was highly respectable for a full-on luxury cabriolet weighing over 3,600 pounds. The high-revving, very over-square engine displaced only 213.5 cubic inches, and so, it blew through the one-horsepower-per-cubic-inch barrier.

No American car of the era could match the new Mercedes’ mix of technology and quality. Fully-independent coil-spring suspension and four-wheel disc brakes meant that ride and handling with the long-wheelbase chassis were thoroughly modern; but unlike a car of the 21st century, the look was completely distinctive and completely Mercedes-Benz, or “fabulously handsome,” as Road & Track called it. While the rear seats are larger than those of previous models, they were of the occasional variety. Front passengers, however, were treated to the level of the understated elegance that one would expect in a car of this caliber, and price.

The car offered here was owned by Bob Hatch in the 1980s, and it was subsequently restored by Hatch & Sons in the ’90s. They are known as perhaps the most respected restorers of the W108 series Mercedes in North America. Bob Hatch’s restorations were generally acknowledged to be comparable to the original factory build, and prior to his recent retirement, his work was featured in several international magazines. Since restoration, the car has been fortunate to fall under the care of another renowned New England shop, Kent Bain’s Automotive Restorations. They have ensured that the car remains not only in 100% mechanical condition, but that it also retains its show-quality finish.

The 280 SE is equipped with a pair of classic leather Mercedes semi-bucket seats in light grey, comfortable for any driving in any conditions, and they face a leather-wrapped, wood-faced two-dial dashboard. The large register vents of this car indicate that it is equipped with Behr air conditioning, making it even more attractive, as it is a car that can be driven year-round. Capping it all is a beautiful navy blue convertible top that, when erected, renders the pillarless two-door as silent as any sedan. For that, one can credit the six-layer handcrafted top, which is nearly 1½-inches thick.

Combining mechanical sophistication with hand-finished build quality, there are few automobiles of the seventies from Germany that can stand alongside the 280 SE 3.5. This car has benefited from restoration by the most talented of craftsmen and is mechanically well-sorted, and as a result, it is truly a car that one could expect to drive straight home, or anywhere else, without drama.