1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet

Vehicle Overview

Ended on Bring a Trailer Auctions : Ex–Andy Griffith 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE Cabriolet


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This 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE cabriolet was purchased new by actor Andy Griffith from Mercedes-Benz of Hollywood in California. The car has been refinished in brown over tan leather, and it is powered by a fuel-injected 2.8L inline-six paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Features include a brown soft top with a tan boot cover, 14? wheels with covers, a Becker AM/FM stereo, and Kühlmeister air conditioning. The current owner acquired the car in 1998, and in June 2022 the oil was changed. This W111 is now offered on dealer consignment in California as part of the Mohr Imports Monterey Collection Sale with paperwork indicating Griffith’s previous ownership, expired California registration slips, a black California license plate, manufacturer’s literature, and a Washington title.

The car was delivered new in Tobacco Brown (423) and was refinished under previous ownership. Features include a brown soft top with a tan boot cover, a chrome-finished grille and bumpers, rocker-panel trim, and side-marker lights. The selling dealer notes cosmetic imperfections, as pictured in the gallery below.

Steel 14? wheels wear Mercedes-branded covers with body-matching centers, and they are mounted with 195/75 Uniroyal Tiger Paw AWP II tires.

The interior features tan leather upholstery complemented by color-coordinated trim and carpeting. Wood trim adorns the dashboard and console box, and amenities include power windows, a VDO/Kienzle clock, a Becker Grand Prix AM/FM stereo, and Kühlmeister air conditioning. The seller notes that the heater-control levers are inoperable.

A two-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of VDO instrumentation that includes a 7k-rpm tachometer, a 140-mph speedometer, and vertical auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 89k miles.

The 2.8-liter M130 inline-six is equipped with Bosch mechanical fuel injection and was rated at 180 horsepower and 193 lb-ft of torque when new. The mufflers have been replaced, and the oil was changed in June 2022.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. Additional photos of the underside are presented in the gallery.

A sales slip indicates that the car was purchased new for Andy Griffith. Accompanying expired California registration slips indicate ownership by Andy Griffith of Beverly Hills, California as well as registration through 1999 under California license plate XXG 722, which is included in the sale.

The chassis number on the car is 11102512001783, whereas the VIN noted on paperwork dating back to the 1960s—including the current Washington title—is 280SE001783.


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