While production of W111-generation models was winding down, Mercedes-Benz decided that in order to maintain a stake in the U.S. luxury market, it would continue to hand-build a luxury coupe on the established chassis, powered by a 3.5-liter V-8 engine. The resultant coupe was powerful, offered superb performance and opulent furnishings, and exuded elegance and prestige. Over the ensuing three years, from 1969 to 1971, only 3,270 of the 280 SE 3.5 coupes were built, and of those just 818 were delivered to America, even fewer sporting the highly desirable sunroof.

This is one of those rare American-bound ‘sunroof’ coupes. Suited in stately Silver Metallic (DB 180G) over a black leather interior, this lovely example was delivered from the factory with the sunroof and column-shift transmission. The 280 SE was eventually acquired by Jean Paul Guiral, Officer of the Year for the Southwest Region of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America in Orange County, California. He would have the car meticulously restored. The silver 280 SE 3.5 was sold in August 1993 to David Newell Benson of Danville, California, and the current owner purchased it from Mr. Benson in October 2012. It has been held in a private collection and maintained faithfully ever since, as is corroborated by every service receipt issued since 2012 – amounting to over $28,000. Much of the most recent work completed on this excellent coupe was undertaken by Laurent DeGive & Co., Ltd – a Mercedes-Benz specialist based in Buford, Georgia.

In preparation for its next chapter, this lovely example was inspected and serviced in January 2019. The mechanical condition, beautiful presentation, and prestigious lineage of this 280 SE coupe certainly demands careful consideration by a collector who favors the quality and elegance of a rare and unique Mercedes-Benz.