1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda
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The Highlights
• Comprehensively restored to a wonderful condition
• Matching numbers hardtop, tonneau cover and boot lid
• Over £14,000 of documented expenditure since 1992
• Presented in the most desirable specification and colour
• Well-known history
The Background
Launched at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz W113 was an achingly desirable car from the instant the world laid eyes on it.
Initially made with a 2.3-litre straight-six as the 230SL, the tidy, crisp styling by Paul Bracq and Béla Barényi did without the curves typical of most 1960s coupés and roadsters, but it was no less pretty and was immediately seized upon by fashionable young men- and women-about-town as something chic, sporty and fun.
Although a very modern design, certain features – the large Mercedes star over the grille and the Bosch ‘fishbowl’ headlights – were carried over directly from the celebrated 300SL Roadster.
The W113 succeeded the equally gorgeous W121 (190SL) but was markedly better to drive, thanks to a short and wide chassis, brilliant suspension, highly efficient brakes and radial tyres, all of which won praise. The engine featured a sophisticated multi-point fuel injection system, and the aluminium bonnet, boot lid, door skins and tonneau cover kept weight down.
The best was to come in 1967, when the 230SL was dropped in favour of the 280SL, which saw the M130 engine increased to 2.8 litres, with the addition of an oil cooler, and the power output increased to 168 bhp.
Since the W113 was pounced on by high-society buyers when new, including no less than Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, Charlton Heston, John Lennon and many more, the survival rate of W113s is high but so is demand for them.
The History
Delivered new to Bradshaw and Webb of mayfair in 1970, this genuine UK-delivered right-hand drive is a top of the range 280SL and one of the very last W113 Pagodas made as production ceased in 1971.
As is common with these first edition luxury 'Sport Leicht' (SL), this car was used abroad for a few years, perhaps at a house in the south of France, who knows, before being re-imported to the UK in 1980. We assume that it was at around this time that the car would have received the age-related registration number HGC 498J, but it has also carried the private numbers SJG 567 and WLD 99 within the past 20 years.
In 1997 the car was owned by a Mr. A. Grant of Wandsworth and since 2006 the car has had only two registered keepers, both of which after looking at both the condition of the car and it's paperwork, have treated it with considerable care!
The cars final custodian has taken particular care in bringing the car to its full potential, treating it to a very high quality bare-metal respray, new interior and engine rebuild, but he barely ever drove it. Very recently and in preparation for sale, the car has been thoroughly serviced and is now ready to be enjoyed by its next custodian.
With the mileage recorded at 85,815 miles in 2001, it is believed that the current reading of 93,073 miles is most likely genuine.
The Paperwork
The car comes with a comprehensive paperwork file consisting of invoices dating back to 1992, many from classic Mercedes specialists such as Derrick Wells and Steve Redfearn.
The total sum of the invoices on file exceeds £14,000, but we are advised that that does not include the cost of the car’s recent bare metal repaint. There is also a collection of MoTs issued between 2001 and 2015. Although sporadic, these MoTs are also very impressive as the car frequently sailed through its tests without a single advisory note.
The total sum of the invoices on file exceeds £14,000, but we are advised that that does not include the cost of the car’s recent bare metal repaint. There is also a collection of MoTs issued between 2001 and 2015. Although sporadic, these MoTs are also very impressive as the car frequently sailed through its tests without a single advisory note.
There is, of course, an up-to-date V5C and various other documents pertaining to the car’s registration history.
The Interior
The SL’s interior is almost brand-new, having been redone by the previous owner. It appears to have been cream previously, but the current choice of black looks superb and gives it a real depth. The leather of the front seats has aged just enough to become nice and supple, but does not exhibit any wear that we could see.
The carpets, likewise, were redone and still look new, with no sign of so much as a muddy shoe going near them. The only thing which may stand out for not being quite right is the sun visors which, as the photographs show, were overlooked when the rest of the interior was done.
The carpets, likewise, were redone and still look new, with no sign of so much as a muddy shoe going near them. The only thing which may stand out for not being quite right is the sun visors which, as the photographs show, were overlooked when the rest of the interior was done.
The dashboard, steering wheel and centre console are all in supremely good condition and should impress even the most eagle-eyed. Being black, we suspect the dash top was recovered at the same time as the rest of the interior was redone. Beyond that, we are unable to say how much of the dash and other fittings are in original condition, but they appear so like new that we suspect they have been comprehensively reconditioned as part of the interior renovation. There is a small split in the fabric at the top of the windscreen frame.
Bidders may notice the unusual storage shelf which extends over the transmission tunnel from the dash. This is a very rare and unusual item which we understand was fitted only to the very last cars built.
One feature which definitely is not original, but which looks right at home, is the Sixties-styled Becker Mexico digital radio with Bluetooth connectivity, which lets you combine the best of both classic looks and modern technology – perfect for when you’re cruising Britain’s scenic country A-roads and want some appropriate music to enhance the mood.
Behind the seats is a small space for compact items of luggage, which also benefits from new carpets. In the boot, which is surprisingly capacious for a small sports car, the rubber floor mat may or may not be original, but it is in remarkably good condition, and we are advised that the spare tyre cover is the original item.
The Exterior
Externally, this Mercedes is nothing short of stunning. The recent bare-metal respray appears to have been completed to a very high standard and despite looking all over the car, we really struggled to find the slightest fault, except at the corners of the front valance where the odd mark is excusable.
It also happens to be a wonderful choice of colour – the metallic silver looks delightful even on a dull day, but especially so under the clear winter skies we’ve enjoyed of late, which it reflects back in hues of glimmering aquamarine. Various parts of the 280SL were stamped with a serial number, and the vendor points out that the boot lid, tonneau cover and hardtop are all matching-numbers items.
It also happens to be a wonderful choice of colour – the metallic silver looks delightful even on a dull day, but especially so under the clear winter skies we’ve enjoyed of late, which it reflects back in hues of glimmering aquamarine. Various parts of the 280SL were stamped with a serial number, and the vendor points out that the boot lid, tonneau cover and hardtop are all matching-numbers items.
We are advised that the chrome was redone and, while there are some very minor blemishes on a few parts, such as the door handles (you really do have to look very close), we are satisfied that the bumpers and most of the rest of the chrome is as good as can reasonably be expected on any car. The same may be said of all the glass.
The wheels are also exceptionally good, with the wheel trims all in excellent cosmetic order and the tyres themselves appearing to be quite new; in any case, they are hardly showing any wear (one tyre has some minute hairline cracks in the sidewall), and they have been kept extraordinarily clean.
The wheels are also exceptionally good, with the wheel trims all in excellent cosmetic order and the tyres themselves appearing to be quite new; in any case, they are hardly showing any wear (one tyre has some minute hairline cracks in the sidewall), and they have been kept extraordinarily clean.
Although not in poor condition by any means, it was not renewed when the rest of the car was overhauled and, as such, there are some small holes in the fabric in places and, if we’re to be really fussy, a black hood is really needed to make the most of the black interior.
Having looked underneath the car, we believe it to be solid and well equipped to see a lot of use before it needs any attention. The underseal looks recent and is in good condition, while a glance at the photographs of the front suspension should give some idea of just how clean and sound the underside is.
The Mechanics
Having seen this car run and drive, we are confident that it ought to be every bit as good as it looks. The engine idles quietly and evenly and the automatic gearbox allows the car to move off with hardly any effort.
Since the most recent MoT certificate dates from 2015, we are not in a position to make any guarantees about the SL’s mechanical state but, since it regularly passed with no advisories up until then, we highly doubt it will have developed anything of any real concern in the following years when it has been so lightly used.
Since the most recent MoT certificate dates from 2015, we are not in a position to make any guarantees about the SL’s mechanical state but, since it regularly passed with no advisories up until then, we highly doubt it will have developed anything of any real concern in the following years when it has been so lightly used.
The engine was rebuilt during the previous ownership, so that should run well for many years to come, and there should be no need for any recommissioning work, since the vendor has driven the car occasionally and had it serviced by his mechanic at the start of his ownership. The service was comprehensive, covering the engine, gearbox and rear axle, and the brakes were relined at the same time.
The vendor has had 12 W113 Mercedes in the past and tells us this example is the best he has ever driven. He particularly praises the automatic gearbox, which he considers a significant improvement over the manual.
The Appeal
The Mercedes-Benz W113 is often ranked among the most beautiful cars of all time and rightly so. The chic, crisp looks have never aged and the proportions are spot-on. As a two-seater it is spacious, but it is small enough to fit in most garages. Of them all, the 280SL is most desirable for its grand-touring qualities, with the more powerful engine and automatic gearbox making it a relaxing and supremely comfortable car to drive.
If you’re looking to buy a car like that, you really want the best one you can find, at that may just be this one. With the paint, interior and engine all having been renovated to a like-new condition, it is difficult to praise this car highly enough. Admittedly, the hood will need to be replaced if one seeks absolute perfection but this car otherwise comes extremely close.
It is tempting to think of a car like this as an investment, and a great investment it would undoubtedly be, but we’d advise against mothballing it altogether – when the sun is out and the roads are clear, there can be no better way to appreciate them than from behind the wheel of this 280SL.
It is tempting to think of a car like this as an investment, and a great investment it would undoubtedly be, but we’d advise against mothballing it altogether – when the sun is out and the roads are clear, there can be no better way to appreciate them than from behind the wheel of this 280SL.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the sellers discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1970
- Make Mercedes
- Model 280 SL
- Colour Silver
- Odometer 93,073 Miles
- Engine size 2778
Auction Details
- Seller Type Trade
- Town London
- Location London
- Country United Kingdom
41
bids
- DL•••• £132,350 06/01/22
- do•••• £131,750 06/01/22
- DL•••• £131,150 06/01/22
- do•••• £130,000 06/01/22
- DL•••• £128,650 06/01/22
- do•••• £127,500 06/01/22
- DL•••• £126,600 06/01/22
- do•••• £125,000 06/01/22
- DL•••• £123,600 06/01/22
- DL•••• £121,600 06/01/22
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