Description
1968 Mercedes 280SL Auto Pagoda
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Some cars become icons through rarity, others through outright performance. The Mercedes-Benz Pagoda earned its place through elegance, engineering excellence and an effortless sense of style that remains as appealing today as it was more than half a century ago.
Introduced in 1967, the 280 SL was the final and most developed iteration of the celebrated W113 series. Powered by Mercedes-Benz's smooth and capable fuel-injected 2. 8-litre straight-six, it combined refined performance with exceptional build quality and long-distance comfort. For many enthusiasts, it remains the definitive Pagoda.
This exceptional factory right-hand-drive example was first registered in September 1968 and is presented in the wonderfully understated and rare combination of Beige Grey with brown interior trim. Having covered fewer than 60, 000 miles from new, mileage believed genuine and supported by its history, it represents an increasingly rare opportunity to acquire a highly original Pagoda that has survived remarkably well.
Most notably, the car remained within the same family ownership from 1977 until very recently, a period of stewardship spanning almost fifty years. Such continuity of ownership is rarely encountered and speaks volumes about the qualities of the car itself.
Importantly, this is not a Pagoda that has been subjected to repeated restoration. Instead, it survives as a remarkably honest and original example, retaining its matching-numbers engine and factory colour scheme. The interior is believed original and remains in stunning condition, displaying the sort of character, patina and authenticity that cannot be recreated.
Recognising the quality and originality of the underlying car, we have undertaken a comprehensive programme of sympathetic recommissioning, with the emphasis firmly on preserving originality whilst ensuring the car performs exactly as it should.
The work completed includes a new bespoke mohair hood, suspension refurbishment with new shock absorbers, a comprehensive brake overhaul, ignition system refurbishment and electronic ignition conversion, restoration of the original radiator, cooling system improvements including a new oil cooler and hoses throughout, heater restoration, fuel system overhaul, wheel refurbishment with new Michelin tyres, grille refurbishment and the installation of a discreet period-style audio system.
The result is a Pagoda that feels exactly as a well-preserved Mercedes-Benz should; refined, solid and immensely usable, yet still retaining the originality and character that make exceptional examples so difficult to find.
Today, many Pagodas have been extensively restored, altered or rebuilt. Cars that retain their original specification, matching numbers, low mileage and long-term ownership history are becoming increasingly scarce. This 280 SL represents precisely that combination.
Beautifully presented, highly original and comprehensively recommissioned, it is a particularly attractive example of one of Mercedes-Benz's most enduring post-war designs.
