Equipment
3499cc/230hp, floor shift automatic, Becker Grand Prix multiband radio, wheel covers, narrow whitewalls, halogen headlights, Bosch fog lights.
Condition
Good door and trunk fits but the hood stands high when closed. The upholstery is original with deeply cracked front seat cushions and worn windowsill leather covering. Good gauges and dashtop wood molding. A sound, usable but aged car.
Market commentary
This result reflects European collectors' preference for preservation over restoration and value the deeply cracked and fragile original upholstery that have limited appeal in North America. That preference is reflected in the rather generous price this 280 SE 3.5 brought, despite the even more generous pre-sale estimate. It is a result that would be difficult, if not impossible, to recreate on the Atlantic's western shores.