To mangle an Orwell quote, all Pagodas are equal – but this one is more equal than most.

What is a Pagoda? Well, what you’re looking at here is the genesis of the line of open-top sports cars that stretches from the 1960s to the present day. The W113 wasn’t the first Mercedes-Benz model to wear the SL badge, but it undoubtedly marked a clear starting point for all the SLs to follow.

Prior to the W113, automotive aficionados found themselves tantalised and titillated by the gullwing 300 SLs of the 1950s, along with the sylph-like drop-top sibling, the 190 SL. But in 1963, the covers came off this slinky little roadster – a new model to replace them both at once, offering a heady mixture of style, performance, luxury, comfort, and robust engineering.

 Conceived as a two-seater roadster, it’s the removable hardtop which gives the W113 its ‘Pagoda’ nickname, the slightly concave nature of it calling to mind the distinctive curves of ancient Chinese architecture.

The underpinnings of this car were cutting-edge for the time, with the range of straight-six engines featuring multi-port fuel injection, along with boasting double-wishbone front suspension, dual-circuit brakes with discs up front, and optional power steering.

The door skins, bonnet, bootlid and tonneau cover were made from aluminium to keep weight down. This, in short was a very special car indeed. And the example you’re looking at here is particularly special…

This very early 280 SL Pagoda rolled off the factory line in 1968 and lived in the UK until 1989 when it was exported to Hong Kong. There it remained until 2007, and while in Hong Kong it enjoyed various restoration works including an engine-out respray, assorted new panels, an interior retrim and a new hood.

Upon being repatriated, the SL was dry-stored until 2011, having a number of mechanical works carried out before passing to a new owner. And it was toward the end of that decade when the really seismic changes began to happen in this Pagoda’s life, as it was acquired by somebody with impressive ambitions.

Having owned various Pagodas before in the usual factory-issue colours, they wanted to do something different, something extraordinary – and that’s precisely what they’ve achieved.

The Mercedes was fully stripped down, mounted on a rotisserie, and treated to a fastidious and painstaking restoration. Absolutely everything throughout the car has been renewed or refurbished, all to the correct specs, down to every last nut, bolt and bush.

With the bodywork perfected, it was then treated to a repaint, Wildberry Metallic, laid down by artisans who had originally apprenticed at Rolls-Royce. Believe us when we say that this paintwork is astounding.

The engine and transmission were fully rebuilt, as were the brakes, steering, suspension and rear axle while the interior received a full retrim and a new hood was fitted.

This is, without a hint of hyperbole, as good as – possibly even better than – a new Pagoda.

The presentation is magnificent inside and out, the mechanicals are tip-top, it’s smooth and joyful to drive. We’ve seen a lot of Pagodas in recent years, and this is absolutely among the very best.

This car comes with a huge history file, with two full ring-binders stuffed with carefully organised documentation. The V5 is present, showing this to be a 1968 car that was re-registered with the DVLA in August 2009.

The original books are here, along with paint and trim samples from the recent restoration. There’s a huge quantity of large printed photographs chronicling the restoration in full (we’ve snapped a selection of them for this listing, but there are many, many more in the file), and there are also a great many invoices and receipts for parts purchased and work carried out.

For example, over £4.800 was spent on labour only for the fitment of the hood, all interior leather work, kick panels and carpets. The cost for these parts were additional - invoices for which are also included in the history files. Many parts were acquired from The SL Shop, and the expert mechanical work carried out by the renowned specialist Steve Redfearn (with one invoice alone in 2019 totalling over £13,300, another in 2018 topping £19,900, and a further £17,800 in 2017).

An eye-watering amount of money has been spent restoring this car, but then this wasn’t about the money – it was about making a Pagoda the very best it could be.
 

This really is a fabulous cabin. It’s been retrimmed throughout, and everything has been done to an exceptionally high standard. The seats are trimmed in soft leather, sumptuously stuffed, and they tilt correctly to allow access to the rear load area which has new boards.

There are new carpets throughout, and the choice of colours and textures has been made with impeccable taste. All woodwork has been upgraded to burr walnut rather than the austere MB standard fitment.

It’s all era-appropriate in here, with the car fitted with an attractive Motorola push-button radio. Much care has been taken to ensure that everything works correctly too. The dash clock is operating as expected. The heater controls have been renovated as well. All of the gauges are doing what they should as they have been overhauled as required, and even the light that illuminates when the glove box opens is operational. 

Look up with the hard-top installed and you’ll see that has also been impeccably retrimmed with new headlining and wood.

Inside the boot it’s all pristine; solid and dry with new carpet, the correct spare wheel with a new cover, and the original tool roll filled with the correct Mercedes-Benz-branded tools.

There’s also a rare hens’-teeth treat in the form of the original Motometer tyre pressure gauge, tucked away in its own special pouch.

An incredible amount of time and effort has been spent making the body look utterly gorgeous, and it shows. Every panel sits straight and true with no marks, dings, scuffs, chips or scratches to be seen.

The vivid paint shade is an exceptional choice that suits the body lines so well, and it’s evidently been applied by true artisans – the finish is outstanding, and it really does sparkle in the sun.

All of the chrome trim is present and in great condition, the light lenses and window glass has all been changed for brand new glass, even the hard top which is now soft green sundym. 

The car wears the correct steel wheels with quality tyres, and the hubcaps have been colour-coded to the new shade of paint. Quite simply, there isn’t a bad angle on this car – everywhere you look, it’s extremely easy on the eye.

Everything has been gone through with no stone left unturned. The 2.8-litre straight-six has been fully rebuilt, and it runs beautifully – it fires on the first turn of the key, idles evenly, and pulls strongly through the revs with that unmistakable 280 exhaust thrum. 

You can see from the engine bay that this has all been done correctly with no half-measures – just look at the new canvas bonnet strap, the correct Mercedes-Benz battery, the proper washer bag, it’s just as it should be. 

The automatic transmission is similarly pleasing, shifting smoothly as it ought. And the work that’s gone into the chassis is evident in the ride – smooth and cosseting, thanks to its new bushes, new springs, new everything. There are no squeaks, knocks or rattles to be heard. Truly a marvel to drive.

Running in mileage only has been covered so far at 225 miles. The first initial service should be taken at 1000 miles after which full throttle can be engaged. 

This car is a compelling proposition. With so much care and thoughtful attention put into the high-end restoration, the mechanical package is outstanding – this is a car that loves to cruise, and drives just as these things did back in the 1960s.

But the attention to detail throughout the rest of the car means that it would be equally at home on the showground or the concours lawn, with the bonnet up and mirrors laid underneath, so everyone can see that this beauty is way more than skin-deep.

There are no jobs to be taken care of, it’s absolutely ready to be enjoyed, whether you’re planning a jaunt to Monte Carlo, a cruise down the Kings Road, or just popping out for a pint of milk.

And of course, there’s that colour. That glorious, magnificent colour. That alone helps it to stand head and shoulders above all other Pagodas on the market.

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