by "sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
Published 10/19/2017 at 16:32
by "sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
Published 10/19/2017 at 16:32
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STARS: 3
Today was a perfect Indian summer day, and somebody was taking full advantage of it in one of my favorite drop-top cruisers. There’s just something infinitely classy about the 280SE, and that increases exponentially for the convertible. Too bad I will literally never be able to afford one .
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
10/19/2017 at 16:44, STARS: 1
I looooove these cars. Back around 1983 or so, my dad was shopping for a new car, and we took a trip to an M-B dealer, where he ended up buying a used W116.
But in that showroom, they have a ‘71 280SE 3.5 convertible, dark green/tan that I absolutely fell in love with. They wanted a ridiculous number for it, even then.
That said, though, I’m not sure those auction prices are representative - they must be pristine examples, and they’re mostly 3.5s (always much more $$ than the 280SE).
Regardless, glad to see this one is being enjoyed as it should be.
"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern)
10/19/2017 at 16:52, STARS: 1
I love these but I still do not see $250,000+. That makes the Porsche tax look affordable...
"fintail" (fintail)
10/19/2017 at 16:52, STARS: 2
This is a 6cyl high grille car (likely MY 1968-69), which means it might be just into 6 figures instead of well into it. Nice to see it on the road.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
10/19/2017 at 16:54, STARS: 2
Ok, that price range was my gut reaction as well, but couldn’t put my finger on why, other than that it’s not a 3.5 (which has always had an absurd premium on it).
"Milky" (jordanmielke)
10/19/2017 at 16:56, STARS: 3
"fintail" (fintail)
10/19/2017 at 16:56, STARS: 2
Yep people love the V8, and maybe because it is linked to it, also prefer the low grille. Those cars have been worth a lot of money for ages- 20 years ago pristine ones were 6 figures.
I’d be happy as a claim with a 6cyl high grille car, especially in a light metallic blue.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
10/19/2017 at 16:59, STARS: 1
In my reply to the OP, I recalled seeing a pristine one in an MB dealer around 1983. My recollection (which may be way off, it’s been 34 years) is that it was actually a 280 SE 4.5 (!) cab, and they wanted something close to 6 figures THEN. It was north of $50k, I’m sure of that.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/19/2017 at 17:11, STARS: 2
I believe it (but no 4.5 cabrios). There was an article in the MBCA “Star” a few issues ago about a guy who has a 3.5 cabrio that was in the family new, sold, and bought back. I think it stated when they sold it in the early 80s, it brought something like 70K. Those cars were cherished from new, and 3.5 cabrio survival rate is probably close to 100%. I think they were something around 12-14K when new, not small change then.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
10/19/2017 at 17:14, STARS: 1
Ah, the car must have been a 3.5 then. Needless to say, it made an impression on me. I was going to try to steer my dad toward that car, until they told us the price.
"fintail" (fintail)
10/19/2017 at 17:29, STARS: 0
It would have been considered a classic even then, something special for a 12 year old car.
That being said, 1983 would have been a good year to visit a MB dealer, lots of nice stuff in the lineup then.