1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL – Classified of the Week

There are some classic cars that are more than a retro, cool way to get from A to B. Every classic is, of course, special. But some are more than that. Some, for example, are rolling art. Collections of glass, metal and rubber than can stir the souls of people who don’t know one end of a spark plug from the other. These classics captivate, engage and thrill as they burble past fortunate onlookers. They carry on their shoulders the responsibility of reminding the wider populace that classic cars are often spectacular. They are, through their outright beauty, a gateway into our world. But what’s the best example of this? The E Type? Some sort of Ferrari? Or, how about this jaw-droppingly magnificent 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL?

This isn’t any 280SL though. No, this one has just been subjected to a complete restoration and as such presents as one of the finest on the market at this moment. Restored to original specification, this 280SL is finished in the delicious hue of Code 571 Metallic Red with contrasting light tan MB Tex interior. The restoration was carried out by specialists at John Haynes and took the best of a decade – between 2008 and 2018 – to complete. The vendor states there are invoices and paperwork to support the fact the restoration came in at a hair under £200k. Truly, this is an exceptional restoration and one that puts this car at the top of the pile in terms of desirability.

The SL was a hugely important car for Mercedes-Benz, and the forward lineage runs through to the showrooms of 2022. The SL has been a halo car for the German brand, and one that no other manufacturer has managed to better, either in terms of popularity or quality. Others have tried, but they come and go. The SL has been a mainstay for decades. It was, thanks to the eye of Paul Bracq, a stunning machine. The unique concave removable hard top earned it the nickname of ‘Pagoda’. The chassis and engine options completed the package, by ensuring it was always a joy to drive. Even by modern standards. It was safe, too. The SL was one of the first cars to employ crumple zones. It wasn’t just a pretty face.

The market is alive for SLs, and this 280SL does nothing to quash that. This one is perhaps more special than the others, though. First of all, you have that factory colour combination that is rarely seen on this model. You have the reliable, smooth, refined 2.8 straight-six engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, and you have the incredible restoration to bring it all together. Plus, this car is a right hand-drive, UK model. That alone makes it exceptionally rare.

Is it cheap? No, of course it isn’t. It’s £175,000, and that is a lot of money. But trust us, the market for cars this exceptional isn’t going anywhere. As we said, this is more than a classic car, this is rolling art. The market for cars like this is far greater than just the old cliched petrolheads. Anyone with an eye for stunning, timeless design, quality and utter perfection will also want this. It’s worth every penny, make no mistake.