Highlights

Desirable final-production-year 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL “Pagoda” (W113)
Beautifully presented and freshly restored 280SL ‘Pagoda’
Desirable 2.8L car with auto box from final year of production
Attractive dark green with cognac leather interior
Three year c.€80,000 restoration completed in 2026
Work included rebuilding the engine and repainting the car
Well specified car with power steering, alloy wheels and Becker Europa radio
Extensive restoration file with invoices, parts documentation and historical records
Seller can assist with worldwide shipping

The Appeal

This 1971 Pagoda is a chance to acquire a freshly restored car, with someone else having already endured the time, stress, and headaches of restoring such a special car. The work took three years and was completed in 2026, resulting in the beautifully presented car you can see in the photos.

This sought-after 280SL with auto box pairs dark olive green paintwork with a tasteful cognac leather interior. The quality of the work is obvious from the photos. Virtually every area of the car has been touched, including full engine rebuild, retrimmed interior and body renovations with new paint. It retains the original factory features, including the alloys, power steering, and expensive Becker Europa stereo. An extensive file of invoices and parts receipts accompanies the car, documenting the scope and investment of the restoration in considerable detail.

A very rare opportunity to acquire a newly restored, high quality Pagoda in desirable specification and colour scheme.

Key Information

Mileage: 9,193 miles indicated
Country of registration: Netherlands
Technical inspection status: not stated
Technical specs: 2.8-litre (2,778cc) inline six-cylinder petrol, four-speed automatic, power steering, four-wheel disc brakes
Paperwork: extensive restoration file including workshop invoices, parts receipts and historical engine-rebuild documentation

Faactory fitted options (1971 prices):

4-speed automatic transmission - DM 1,443.00
Power steering - DM 599.40
Leather upholstery - DM 1,048.95
Becker Europa radio - DM 738.15
5 light-alloy wheels with radial tyres - DM 1,332.00
Front headrests in leather - DM 199.80
Total visible factory extras incl. 11% VAT - DM 5,951.04

Details provided by seller:

Restoration:

Bodywork and complete repaint:

The body underwent substantial cosmetic restoration. Documentation records a complete repaint in dark green two-component paint, together with preparation and repair work.

The relevant bodyshop invoice totals €3,025.91 including VAT and specifies:

Complete bare/body shell repainted in dark green 2K
Partial refinishing/painting work
Bodywork preparation and repair
Environmental/material charges
The restoration summary confirms that the car was completely refinished in new paint

Importantly, the restoration went beyond simply repainting the existing exterior panels. The documentation states that both front wings/fenders were replaced with new items. The result is the dark-green exterior presently seen on the vehicle.

Complete engine overhaul

One of the most significant parts of the restoration was a complete overhaul of the 2.8-litre Mercedes-Benz M130 engine.

The supplied restoration documentation records the complete engine rebuild, including labour, at:

€5,496.80 excluding VAT.

The accompanying historical engine-rebuild paperwork provides considerably more detail and shows work involving major internal engine components rather than merely external servicing. Among the handwritten items are work/parts relating to the timing system, crankshaft, bearings, cylinder-head/valvetrain components and oil pump.

Supporting parts sheets preserved with the vehicle additionally identify components specifically for the 280 SL engine, including:

280 SL pistons
Main-bearing sets
Connecting-rod bearing sets
Valve components
Valve guides
Valve-stem seals
Cylinder-head gasket components
Engine gasket components
Timing-chain related components
Oil-pump components
Fuel system

The restoration included installation of a new Hella fuel pump. This is expressly identified in the restoration summary.

A later workshop invoice dated 1 July 2026 records:

60 hours of labour – €3,300
Hella fuel pump, 1 bar – €65
Brake-pressure regulator – €540
Subtotal: €3,905.00
VAT: €820.05
Invoice total: €4,725.05

This later work demonstrates that mechanical attention continued after the principal restoration work had been completed.

Complete braking-system restoration

The braking system received particularly extensive attention.

According to the restoration summary, the car received:

Completely renewed brakes
New brake lines
New master brake cylinder

This is specifically described as a complete new braking system including lines and master cylinder.

A February 2026 parts invoice provides further supporting documentation and records:

Brake-lining set – €600
Complete brake-lining cover/set – €1,000
Front window/windscreen – €380
Subtotal: €1,980
VAT: €415.80
Total: €2,395.80

The July 2026 invoice additionally records the aforementioned €540 brake-pressure regulator.

Interior restoration

The cabin was comprehensively retrimmed rather than merely cosmetically refreshed.

The restoration documentation specifically records:

New interior/upholstery set
Seats completely re-padded during the interior restoration

The finished photographs show a complete Cognac/tan interior, encompassing the seats, dashboard covering, door panels, carpeting and associated trim.

The seats were not simply recovered: the documentation explicitly states that the seat cushioning/padding was renewed as part of the work.

The completed interior also retains the characteristic W113 presentation with wood trim, VDO instrumentation and a period Becker Europa radio.

Convertible roof and soft-top restoration
The convertible-roof system was also renewed

Documentation records both:

New convertible-top covering
New soft top
A February 2026 invoice specifically identifies a new:
Convertible-top upholstery/trim set – €600
Complete convertible-top cover – €1,000

The completed car is consequently presented with a renewed dark-green folding soft top.

New windscreen

The restoration documentation explicitly records installation of a:

New front windscreen

The February 2026 invoice values the new windscreen at €380 before VAT.

Wheels and tyres

The restoration included a complete wheel and tyre update.

The summary records:

New wheels
New spare wheel

The vehicle is presently fitted with Mercedes-Benz 14-inch light-alloy wheels in the classic period “Bundt/Baroque” design.

A separate tyre invoice dated 20 August 2025 documents the purchase of four:

BFGoodrich Radial T/A 205/70 R14 93S RWL M+S tyres
Quantity: 4
Price per tyre: €154.45
Total: €617.80

The restoration summary correspondingly records four new tyres fitted in 2025.

Stainless-steel exhaust system

The original exhaust arrangement was replaced during restoration with a:

Complete new stainless-steel exhaust system

The restoration documentation also records new chrome exhaust finishing pieces/tips.

The completed twin exhaust outlets can be seen in the supplied rear photographs.

Exterior chrome and brightwork

A considerable portion of the exterior brightwork was renewed rather than simply polished.

The restoration documentation records:

New chrome fuel filler cap
New chrome bumpers
New chrome mouldings/trim
New grille
New mirrors

This is an important aspect of the restoration because the W113's appearance depends heavily on the condition and alignment of its extensive chrome and polished trim.

The supplied photographs show the renewed bumpers, grille surround, body mouldings, sill trim, mirror and associated brightwork installed on the finished vehicle.

European lighting

The restoration also included renewal of the lighting equipment.

The documentation specifically records:

New European-specification headlamps
New rear light assemblies

The finished car consequently carries the desirable European-style vertical headlamp assemblies rather than the alternative U.S.-market lighting arrangement.

Parts expenditure

A significant quantity of Mercedes-Benz parts was acquired separately during the restoration.

The restoration summary records:

Parts invoices: €14,698 excluding VAT.

Among the supporting documentation supplied are several substantial parts purchases, including:

12 April 2023 – MML Carparts B.V.

Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda parts
€5,000

29 August 2023 – RM Classics

Mercedes-Benz Pagoda parts
€3,800 excluding VAT
€798 VAT
€4,598 including VAT

3 November 2023 – MML Carparts B.V.

Mercedes-Benz parts
€2,000

There is additionally a later signed agreement dated 21 November 2025 for the purchase of used Mercedes-Benz components intended for repair/restoration of the classic Mercedes, amounting to:

€3,100

The supporting parts documentation therefore reinforces the scale of the restoration and shows that parts were sourced over a period of several years rather than the work consisting of a single cosmetic refurbishment.

Restoration Cost Breakdown

Complete body preparation and repaint in dark green 2K - €3,025.91 documented
Complete M130 engine overhaul incl. Labour - €6,651 incl. VAT equivalent
Parts invoices - €17,784 incl. VAT equivalent
Additional Mercedes restoration parts purchased - €3,100 documented
Complete interior retrim and upholstery - €7,500 estimated
Complete seat restoration incl. new padding - €2,000 estimated
New convertible-top upholstery and complete soft top - €2,500 estimated
New left and right front wings incl. fitting/body preparation - €3,500 estimated
Complete braking system incl. brake lines and master cylinder - €4,000 estimated
Additional brake work / brake-pressure regulator - €1,000 estimated
New windscreen incl. Installation - €750 estimated
New Mercedes alloy wheels incl. new spare wheel - €3,500 estimated
Four new BFGoodrich Radial T/A tyres - €617.80 documented
Complete stainless-steel exhaust incl. chrome finishers - €2,000 estimated
New chrome bumpers - €2,500 estimated
Renewal of exterior chrome mouldings and brightwork - €3,000 estimated
New grille, mirrors and chrome fuel cap - €1,500 estimated
New European-specification headlights and rear lights - €2,000 estimated
New Hella fuel pump - documented within later mechanical invoice
Additional mechanical assembly, adjustment and finishing labour - €5,000 estimated
Restoration consumables, seals, hoses, hardware, plating, fluids and miscellaneous components - €3,500 estimated

The Detail

Extensively overhauled across virtually all areas of the car
Painted in dark olive green with cognac leather seemingly little used since completed
M130 engine overhauled with work to the crankshaft, pistons, bearings, valvetrain, timing chain, oil pump and gaskets
Braking system renewed with new brake lines, master cylinder and brake linings
Both front wings replaced with new items and new front windscreen fitted
Interior retrimmed in Cognac leather with new seat padding throughout
New convertible-top upholstery and new dark-green soft top fitted
New European-specification headlamps and rear light assemblies installed
New chrome bumpers, grille, mirrors, exterior mouldings and fuel filler cap fitted
Mercedes-Benz 14-inch "Bundt/Baroque" light-alloy wheels fitted, including a new spare
Four BFGoodrich Radial T/A 205/70 R14 tyres purchased in August 2025
Stainless-steel exhaust system with chrome finishers installed
Period-correct Becker Europa radio, wood trim and VDO instrumentation in the cabin
Parts sourced over several years from specialist suppliers, with documented expenditure exceeding €17,000 on components alone
Seller can assist with worldwide transport

Specification summary:

2.8-litre M130 inline six-cylinder engine
Bosch mechanical fuel injection
170 DIN hp
Rear-wheel drive
Four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes
Independent front suspension
Mercedes-Benz low-pivot swing-axle rear suspension
Folding convertible soft top
Heater and ventilation system
VDO instrumentation
Tachometer
220 km/h speedometer
Fuel, coolant-temperature and oil-pressure gauges
Dashboard clock
Windshield wipers and washer system
Lockable glove compartment
Driver-side exterior mirror
Chrome bumpers and exterior trim
Spare wheel and factory tool kit

BEFORE YOU BUY

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