220SEb / 250SE / 280SE Cabriolets and Coupes 1961 - 1971

INTRODUCTION and HISTORY

This luxurious model was the last of the hand-built Mercedes. Only 13 cars per week rolled off the production line. These cabriolets and coupes are true classics. Unlike other automobiles, these cars were classics the day they rolled off the production line, and have remained so ever since. The 220SEb was first introduced in 1961 and was considered to be an immediate success. Road & Track magazine said "one of the best-looking body designs to come from any German concern." Exquisitely proportioned and beautifully designed. Luxurious may very well be an understatement when describing this model. There were no changes to the basic design until 1969. (Why mess with perfection, huh?) Because of the high demand for convertibles, many coupes have been cut and converted into convertibles, especially the 280 SE 3.5 coupes (as they are the most sought-after of the cabriolets.) SO BE CAREFUL! This has been done so by unscrupulous people in the event of an unsuspecting customer that comes to purchase a convertible. If you are looking at a convertible, make sure to check the chassis number. If you are unsure of the car, call us with the chassis number and we will be happy to help verify whether or not it is a true cabriolet. If you purchase a false convertible, it can cost you thousands of dollars. Click here for information on what to avoid. All of these coupes and convertibles are elegant, yet can still be driven and maintained with no fuss. The later models with bigger engines are preferred, such as the 300 SE, (see separate page) which was rare when it was new, and is a definite keeper now. The 280 SE 3.5 convertible is a definite collectible because of it's power and grace, and also because of the grille, which is lower and wider. They are elegantly trimmed out with leather and hard-wood veneer in the dash. Production Numbers: Production Numbers of the 220SEb from 1961 to 1965 Cabriolet chassis prefix is 111 023 engine prefix is 127 984 Coupe chassis prefix is 111 021 engine prefix is 127 984 Cabriolets 2729 units Coupes 14173 units Total: 16902 units Production Numbers of the 250SE from 1965 to 1967 Cabriolet chassis prefix is 111 023 engine prefix is 129 980/981 Coupe chassis prefix is 111 021 engine prefix is 129 980/981 Cabriolets 954 units Coupes 5259 units Total: 6213 units Production Numbers of the 280SE from 1968 to 1971 Cabriolet chassis prefix is 111 025 engine prefix is 130 980/984 Coupe chassis prefix is 111 024 engine prefix is 130 980/984 Cabriolets 1390 units Coupes 3797 units Total: 5187 units Production Numbers of the 280SE 3.5 1969 to 1971 Cabriolet chassis prefix is 111 027 engine prefix is 116 980/990 Coupe chassis prefix is 111 026 engine prefix is 116 980/990 Cabriolets 1232 units Coupes 3270 units Total: 4502 units A car's value is determined by condition. Standard condition guidelines are as follows: Excellent- As close to perfect original or a very well restored vehicle. Generally a body-off restoration, but a well done body-on restoration that has been fully detailed may qualify. The vehicle is stunning to look at. Everything works as new, all equipment is original, NOS or excellent quality reproductions. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT # 1 CARS ARE VERY RARE, AND ARE ORIGINAL RIGHT DOWN TO THE HOSE CLAMPS. DO NOT ASSUME THAT JUST BECAUSE A CAR HAS A #1 ASKING PRICE, THAT IT IS IN # 1 CONDITION. MOST CARS FOR SALE OUT THERE ARE LOW # 2 TO HIGH # 3 CARS. Very Good- An extremely presentable vehicle showing minimal wear, or a well restored vehicle. Runs and drives smooth and tight. Needs no mechanical or cosmetic work. All areas have been detailed. Beautiful to look at but clearly not a # 1 vehicle. Good- Presentable inside and out with some signs of wear. Not detailed but clean. Body should be straight and solid with no rust- through anywhere. Shiny, attractive paint but may have evidence of minor fading or checking or other imperfections. Runs and drives well but may need some minor mechanical or cosmetic work. But it is useable and enjoyable as is. Fair- Runs and drives ok but needs work throughout the vehicle. Body shows signs of wear or previous restoration work. Any rust should be minimal and not in any structural areas. Cosmetics, body and mechanicals all need work to some degree. Poor- In need of complete restoration, but is complete and not a rust bucket beyond repair. May or may not run but is not roadworthy. Keep in mind that due to the high cost of restoration, mint examples of these cars can and have sold for more than the prices quoted here. When looking for one of these cars, condition is everything. These cars are large, and a complete restoration will become a costly affair. Watch out for rust spots, (SEE PHOTOS BELOW) such as in the headlight buckets, the edges of the wheelwells and in the doors and rockerpanels. Trim condition is important because replacement pieces are hard to find. Bumpers can be fixed and replated if they are dented, but must be replaced if they are rusty. Convertibles are usually in rougher shape than coupes because of sun and water damage to the top and leather interior. The 220 through 280 coupes and cabriolets engines are based on the sedans, therefore, mechanical parts for these cars are in no shortage. FRONT CROSS MEMBER RUSTY FRONT ROCKER PANEL ON DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR BOARD WHERE THE INNER FENDER SUPPORT MEETS THE FRAME RAIL. ALSO CHECK THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WHERE THE BUMPER MOUNTS REAR LOWER TRUNK SECTION RUST REAR FENDER WHEELBASE AREA. -THIS IS A COMMON PLACE FOR RUST. TYPICAL FRONT ROCKER PANEL RUST. NOTE THE PATCH SOMEONE MADE OUT OF ROOFING FLASHING MATERIAL AND POP RIVETED IN PLACE! LEFT INNER FRONT FENDER- BATTERY AREA. RUST PRONE DUE TO BATTERY ACID. (NOTE ON 3.5 CARS: BATTERY IS ON THE RIGHT INNER FENDER) These cars can be found as excellent originals, and they are worth looking for. You can save money on your restoration if you purchase an automobile that is in fair to good condition. Condition of a car CANNOT be determined by its location. Don't be fooled by a car's current geographical location. Just because a car is in California today, does not mean that is where it started life. Look at the car in general. Walk around the car several times looking at the gaps for the doors, trunk and hood. Look at the general overall condition of the car. Where to find the engine number and chassis number: You will find the body plate on the radiator core support. This plate will give useful information if you know how to "decode" it. This was the factory's "build plate" it gives the color code, and option codes to which the car was built. DO NOT confuse the numbers on this plate with the VIN number (or chassis number)of the car. VIN number is stamped on the right front frame rail. Also stamped on the radiator core support. Later models (after 1968) have a plate pop riveted to the windhield pillar post and a data plate on the inside door. But because these plates can be removed, and/or replaced, always check the one stamped into the right front frame rail. Use the illustration for location of plates 1. Type plate 2. Chassis number stamped on right front side member 3. Body and number plate 4. Engine plate VIN #'s are as follows: Cabriolet Coupe Model chassis prefix chassis prefix Engine prefix 220SEb 111 023 111 021 127 984 250SE 111 023 111 021 129 980/981 280SE 111 025 111 024 130 980/984 280SE 3.5 111 027 111 026 116 980/990 ALWAYS put your intended purchase on a lift, up in the air to fully inspect (and poke if necessary) the bottom undercarriage of the car. Any owner who won't allow this may have something to hide. The best tool to use for checking the condition of body panels are your hands. The following illustration will show the most common rust areas. Oil leakages: all older Mercedes have some small oil leakages. Valve guides, valve stem seals, play in piston ring. An exhaust oil cloud after strong acceleration points to defective valve stem seals or valve guides – play in or worn large piston ring are frequently also a cause. Fuel pipes may be porous. Transmission weaknesses – pay attention to wear Additionally the chassis may have the following weaknesses: Rubber seals : Aged by drying-out or dissolved by engine oil, which is distributed by the wind over the chassis bottom. Tie rods: may be worn Steering damper: may be worn, and not work correctly Brake hoses: Ageing - the brake hoses fill-up from the inside, reducing the passage, life span is 15 years (manufacturing date is imprinted) Water hoses Front king pins