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1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda (W113)
Medium Blue Metallic (396) with Parchment Leather (145) and
Medium Blue Metallic Hardtop (396) and Dark Blue Soft Top Fabric (744)
A superb example of the 280SL, ordered new in New Jersey back in 1971 and restored to perfection making it one of the very best cars to grace our showroom. Ready to be used and enjoyed, a superb place to sit and a car to admire.
In 2020 a Swiss based car collector and Mercedes-Benz enthusiast embarked on an ambitious project to acquire one of each of the iconic Mercedes-Benz SLs – a 280SL Pagoda and 190SL W191 roadster. Both cars had to be left hand drive, and restored to nothing but perfection, to join an already established collection of cars. This 280SL was originally registered in New Jersey, USA back in 1971 when it was new, finished in the solid colour of Medium Blue with Blue Leather. In the four decades between 1971 and 2011, the car lost the blue exterior and seats, replaced by silver coachwork with black interior… But the original blue would return to influence the final incarnation of this fantastic car, commissioned by our Swiss collector.
The goal of the project was to create a perfect interpretation of each car in its original form, specified exactly as the gentleman would have ordered them from the showroom when the cars were available new. A meticulous restoration began with a methodical strip down, revealing the blue paintwork beneath the silver top coat, and stripping back the layers even further to correctly prepare the car for the next stage of work. No part of this 280SL was untouched, it was a true bare-shell rebuild with the engine removed to undergo its own restoration; rebuilt meticulously in Norway on the request of the owner by a well renowned engine specialist, also detailed in the photo file. Once the engine rebuild was complete, the painstaking task of putting the car back together could commence.
Rebuilding a Pagoda must be done with exactness, to ensure the car looks and handles as well as a Pagoda can. The finished product is nothing short of Pagoda perfection. The final colour was Medium Blue Metallic (396), chosen to stay with the original look of the car when it was new but updated in metallic. Instead of the blue-on-blue scheme, the contrasting shades of parchment leather, carpets and headlining were chosen to give a luxurious yet period correct car, right down to the lightweight Mexican Hat wheels (introduced in 1969). This 280SL is quite simply a brand new car, restored correctly and now available for sale on behalf of the owner by market experts, SLSHOP. A chance to acquire a car that is ready to be used and enjoyed, an inch perfect Pagoda in a very desirable and carefully chosen colour combination.
