Beskrivning
This is lot number 114 in the Bonhams Bonmont Auction on June 30th, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
• Delivered new to Switzerland
• Current ownership since 1987
• Highly original (believed to be never restored or repainted)
• Well maintained and serviced regularly
• Swiss registration document
'For those who value engineering finesse and high quality construction, it's alone in the field,' enthused Road & Track magazine, while its manufacturer considered the 280 SL, 'a Grand Tourer in the traditional sense' and 'a unique combination of sports car performance and saloon car comfort (a Mercedes-Benz saloon naturally).'
These attributes help explain the 280 SL's phenomenal success, particularly in the all-important North American market where the optional automatic transmission was considered an essential feature by the majority of customers. The fact that it looked like 'sex on wheels' helped enormously too, of course. The 280 SL's essential user friendliness broadened its appeal beyond the traditional sports car-enthusiast market, and many celebrities and film stars owned 280 SLs.
The last of a popular and extremely successful line begun with the 230 SL of 1963, the Mercedes-Benz 280 SL was introduced in 1967 powered by a new 2. 8-litre six-cylinder engine that produced 180bhp, 20 horsepower more than the preceding 250 SL's. The 280 SL's 200km/ h top speed was no greater but it was significantly quicker off the mark, its 0-100km/ h time of 10 seconds being a whole second better than its predecessor.
Autocar was full of praise for the 280 SL's effortless performance: 'Those going abroad will be pleased to know that the 280 SL can sustain 160km/ h with ease, and still have a good bit in hand for surging up to 120mph (I would say 200 km/ h to keep within the same numbers) when traffic and conditions permit. All the time the engine is smooth and it has a sweet song to its exhaust note, which starts as a deep throb and builds up to a busy hum at maximum revs.'
Christened ‘Pagoda’ after their distinctive cabin shape - devised by French designer and classic car enthusiast, Paul Bracq – Mercedes-Benz's 230/ 250/ 280 SL models were amongst the best-loved sports-tourers of their day and remain highly sought after by collectors.
Delivered new to Switzerland and first registered on 31st October 1968, this automatic transmission 280 SL 'Pagoda' has belonged to the current owner since 1987. According to his memories, previous owner Walter Jann inherited the car from his mother, who must have received it new from her husband, who was the head of Roche, a pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland. The owner describes the Pagoda as completely original (never restored or even repainted) and advises us that it has been well maintained and serviced regularly (as stamped on the title every four years). Its 5-digit odometer showed 9, 904 km at the time of the photo shoot; according to its tracked history, the car has most likely covered less than 110, 000 km. It comes with its original instruction manuals and wallet, an original Fahrzeug-Daten card, and a Swiss carte grise.
