HIGHLIGHTS
- Stunning and highly desirable 280 SL
- Family owned for some 50 years!
- Incredibly low mileage of just 38,575
- Right hand drive and matching numbers car
- Sympathetically restored in 2010
- Specialist maintenance history
THE APPEAL
Produced from late 1967 to March 1971, the 280SL Pagoda was the final iteration of the Pagoda range and is undeniably one of the most beautiful and desirable cars of all time.
This 280SL Pagoda has spent most of the last 50 years in the ownership of the same family and has been driven a mere 38,575 miles from new. The fully stamped service book contains stamps from Mercedes-Benz main agents covering the first 31,500 miles up to 1991.
The car was sympathetically restored by Mercedes experts Truro Motor Services in 2010 at a cost of around £10,000 and included a mechanical refresh retaining originality and using OEM parts.
The last MOT was carried out in December 2021, the SL passing with no advisories at a recorded mileage of 38,355. A service by Truro Motor Services was also undertaken at the same time.
The current owner purchased the car in April 2022 as a surprise 50th birthday present for his wife, but with a modern SL as a daily driver, she is not using the Pagoda as much as they had imagined, hence it is now available for the next custodian to enjoy.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- Registered in the U.K. on the 8th August 1973
- Up to date V5 is present
- Original book pack and service book
- A main dealer maintenance invoice from 1988
- Last ‘Pass’ MOT carried out in December 2021
- Looking online, the 2008 MOT was done at 36,573 miles
- Road Tax valid until the 1st June 2024
This stunning Mercedes started life in Jersey in 1968, being bought to the U.K. in 1973 by the second owner when he acquired it. Running a Mercedes-Benz dealership, he certainly knew what he was buying - the ‘Pagoda’ being his favourite car.
After his passing in the 1980’s, the car was registered to his wife who drove it locally in Somerset until their son relocated the car to his home in Cornwall and enjoyed driving it sparingly during the summer months for roughly twenty years. Due to frequent trips overseas, it’s usage became even less, hence selling it to the current owner in April 2022.
THE INTERIOR
- Sumptuous, stylish and comfortable
- Fantastic period instrumentation
- Sympathetically restored
Having been sympathetically refurbished during 2010, the interior looks wonderful and reflects the incredibly low mileage. Behind the wheel you can really appreciate the stylish ’60’s design and build-quality of the Pagoda.
The original two-spoke steering wheel is in-situ and feels comfortable. The colour-coded painted dashboard and brown trim is in great condition as is the factory VDO instrumentation and switchgear. A lovely clock sits in the centre beside a period Becker ‘Grand Prix’ radio.
The re-trimmed seats and door cards are presented in matching dark brown and in superb condition and the correct carpeting is also great up front and in the handy rear luggage space.
The generous boot is clean and tidy, and lifting the carpet, reveals an original looking floor with no obvious signs of corrosion. The spare wheel resides under it’s cover and is accompanied by a first aid kit, jack and tools. The original jacking instruction card is even present.
THE EXTERIOR
- Beautiful cream coachwork
- Gleaming polished chrome
- Original wheel trims
Having been restored and repainted to a very high standard, the attractive period cream coachwork is virtually flawless and certainly suits the clean lines of the SL. Imperfections are hard to find but there is a single chip on the nearside front wheel arch and top of the nearside rear wing.
Both doors shut with the customary healthy ‘clunk’ suggesting a very straight and original body from front to back, and panel gaps are even - a testament to the excellent build quality of these classic SL’s.
The car was treated to a full re-polish of the chrome brightwork earlier in the year, with gleaming results clear to see. The rest of the trim, ‘fishbowl’ headlights, rear lights, fixtures and fittings are also in excellent condition. There is some minor fogging to the edges of the windscreen but the door glass is clear.
This SL comes complete with it’s rarely used factory hardtop painted in matching brown with good chrome and excellent glass. The rearmost area of the seals would benefit from a tidy up, but the headlining is in great original order.
The brown soft top is also in terrific condition with some minimal creases to the plastic rear window, but not to the detriment of the rearward view. There is also a very small tear on the rear edge.
Period hub caps are fitted all round, being a mixture of chrome and body colour. There is also a set of winter hub caps in the same colour as the hardtop, which completes the cool Coupé look.
Two Avon and two Nankang tyres are fitted.
Peering underneath we discover a well-protected and undersealed structure, floor and sills. Other than some inevitable light surface corrosion to some components, there is nothing that would cause concern and is in line with the cars pampered storage and usage.
THE MECHANICS
- 2,778 cc fuel-injected M130 straight-six engine
- Factory spec’ of 168 bhp @5,750 rpm
- Automatic transmission
Lifting the bonnet reveals a tidy and well maintained engine bay, with a new battery installed to ensure the car continues to fire up first time.
The 2.8-litre six-cylinder bursts into life and settles to a steady idle and the automatic gear lever slips smoothly into drive and the car pulls strongly through the gears.
During it’s most recent service in spring at Country Classic Cars, Midhurst, the only item outside of the standard service was a recommendation to replace the fuel tank. This was carried out along with the fitment of two new fuel pumps (internal and external to the tank), and fuel filters.
Following a test drive by the head technician, he stated that the car represented the best-driving original they had seen. Given their reputation as world-renowned Pagoda specialists, this is praise indeed.
SUMMARY
A piece of automative history, the Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda is the dream car for petrol heads the world over.
The condition, period colour scheme, extremely low mileage and fastidious maintenance history really sets this Pagoda apart and represents a great chance to own an exceptional luxury classic.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only. Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
