Photos provided by the vendor
Highlights
- Impressive period-presented W113 Pagoda
- Originally delivered to the USA, imported to Poland in 1999
- Excellent restoration in 2016 including repaint and engine re-build
- Highly original interior and bodywork
- Complete with hard top and soft top
The Appeal
With its impeccable styling, and impressive selection of engines, the 1963 introduction of the W113 was intended to deliver a good all-round sports car - one that sat comfortably between the underpowered 190SL and the racing-performance 300SL’s specifications.
Offering Mercedes-Benz’ exceptional build quality, decent performance and a simply superb design. The Pagoda-style roof, the greenhouse windows and the highly impressive, gently curved pillars made for a genuinely spectacular car. Perhaps - at that point - one of the safest, most well-built sports cars ever built.
This example was originally American spec, was imported to Poland in 1999, and is now a highly finished example of the legendary Roadster - with European-style headlights installed and a complete restoration undertaken since 2014.
The History and Paperwork
- First built in 1970, and exported to the American market
- In first recorded ownership until 1989
- Imported to Poland in 1999 and acquired by an enthusiast that year
- Purchased by current vendor and fully restored from 2014 onwards
- Odometer indicates 04,878 miles - this is likely indicating a true mileage of 104,878 miles
- Always reportedly kept in dry storage
- Car has recently taken four recent 100-mile outings with no faults
- A plaque on the car’s engine indicates it’s a Mercedes-Benz replacement
- Paperwork file includes:
- Photographic history of the car’s repaint
- Photographic history of the car’s engine rebuild
The Interior
- Impressive period interior with Zebrano panels
- Original MB-Tex seats in good order with no rips or tears
- Highly presented white steering wheel and shiftgear
Highly beguiling, this 280SL enthrals the driver in a world of Zebrano, leather and chrome. Everything here is in excellent order and highly evocative - it makes quite the time capsule to the period, and is a highly magnetic call-back to the golden age of the German brand.
With seats free of rips and tears, still carrying a fabulous grain, the upholstery looks superb for the car’s vintage, and is believed by the vendor to be original. The door cards seem to be in similarly fine spec, with no major signs of wear.
The carpets are in good order, and the vendor informs us the same for the headlining in the car’s matching hard-top.
The dashboard, which is tidily arranged, is very nicely kept with all of the original period features in good order, with every instrument clear, and easy to read. The switches, toggles and wires have all been overhauled and are in good working order. The impressive white steering wheel and shiftgear really complete the appeal - adding a distinct flash of colour to the car’s otherwise dark, warm shades.
Round the back, the boot is in excellent order with a spare wheel and toolkit.
The Exterior
- Impressive, highly original bodywork
- Repainted in 2016 to factory-spec Gold
- Fitted with European-spec headlights following Polish import
With its subtle, curvy styling and highly presented paintwork, the Pagoda is an exceptional car that balances between the mechanical, boxy themes of Mercedes-Benz’ later roadsters and the organic, smooth curves of what came before it.
This example was repainted from bare-metal in 2016, to the factory’s original gold. The bodywork was carried out by a specialist, with the only issue spotted being sandblasting damage during some stage of its previous ownership. This is the only spot of the car that has been subject to filler, with no other evidence being visible during the repaint.
The car’s panels are tightly-knit, with only a slight dent in the top of the car’s grille. The paintwork is carrying some light blemishes commensurate with its 9-year age, but doesn’t detract from the car’s overall condition. The chromework is generally in good order, with only slight patina, while the glasswork and lenses all appear to be in good condition. The Mercedes-Benz branding is all present and correct, and the trimwork looks to be in fine fettle.
The car comes with a colour-matched chocolate brown soft top, and a matching gold hard top - the soft top appears to be in excellent order, with no rips or tears, while we’re informed that the hard top is in good order. The vendor does note that a rechroming of the door handles and the replacement of the hardtop's window seals could set it into even higher fettle.
The car comes with a colour-matched chocolate brown soft top, and a matching gold hard top - the soft top appears to be in excellent order, with no rips or tears, while we’re informed that the hard top is in good order. The vendor does note that a rechroming of the door handles and the replacement of the hardtop's window seals could set it into even higher fettle.
The car is sitting on period-accurate ‘Mexican Hat’ alloys, and shod in a full set of superb-looking Cooper tyres, that have plenty of tread. From what we understand, the car’s underside is in good order throughout.
The Mechanics
- Powered by a 2.8L M130 SOHC I6 engine
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Engine completely rebuilt in 2016 with full picture record
The 2.8L I6 of the Pagoda is as sturdily presented as you’d expect for an engine rebuilt in 2016. Everything looks in fine fettle, with no major faults we can highlight.
The vendor reports that the engine carries a replacement badge, signifying that this engine is not original - and was fitted during the car’s American ownership. A number of recent repairs have been carried out prior to being placed for sale - the exhaust manifold was recently replaced, steering gear overhauled and rebuilt, the clutch cylinder overhauled, perishing hoses and rubbers replaced and the car has also just been serviced by a Pagoda specialist.
The car is reportedly starting with zero faults, running very well and has apparently done a quartet of 100-mile journeys recently, with no issues arising.
The vendor reports that the engine carries a replacement badge, signifying that this engine is not original - and was fitted during the car’s American ownership. A number of recent repairs have been carried out prior to being placed for sale - the exhaust manifold was recently replaced, steering gear overhauled and rebuilt, the clutch cylinder overhauled, perishing hoses and rubbers replaced and the car has also just been serviced by a Pagoda specialist.
The car is reportedly starting with zero faults, running very well and has apparently done a quartet of 100-mile journeys recently, with no issues arising.
Summary
Beautifully presented, and loaded with the car’s distinctive period character, this Pagoda is ready and waiting to hit the road with its new owner. Full of period styling and in excellent mechanical condition, it’s an utterly fantastic ambassador for the model.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased. Car & Classic may refer a shipping company that also deals with import/export paperwork. Prices start at €150+VAT within the same country or €400+VAT for moves across borders.
For more details, email auctions@carandclassic.com
