Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagode

Vehicle Description

This pagoda in the classical colour combination red/black has recently returned home after almost 45 years in the US. Under the bonnet, it has the large 2.8 litre straight six-cylinder engine installed, offering 125 kW (170 hp) which are delivered to the wheels by means of the tried-and-tested automatic transmission.

The car has once been re-painted and displays traces of use here and there. The MB tex interior is in good condition, as are the door paddings and the original woodwork on the dash. The SL features a Becker Mexico radio, analogue clock and thermometer, all original Mercedes. It comes with Uniroyal white wall tyres and a body-coloured hard top, also in good shape. All chrome parts are very well cared for, as are flooring and canopy top. The pagoda even has tinted windows, not a very common extra in its time. The engine compartment is clean. Up front, the US headlights have been fitted.

The vehicle has valid technical approval until 05/2017 as well as historic plates.

Pagodas in such condition are getting increasingly hard to find. Maybe this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for?

When presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1963, the W 113 had the difficult task of replacing two models at a time, the 190 SL as well as the 300 SL. A task that was almost equivalent to the quadrature of the circle, but was solved brilliantly. Because of its smooth surfaces, the spacious interior and the absence of decorative elements, it came across as very “masculine” and made the predecessors with their rounded styling look outdated.

It was available as 230 SL (1963-1967), 250 SL (1967) and 280 SL (1968-1971), built with either manual or automatic transmission, to a total of 48,912 vehicles. Because of its slightly concave hardtop, available as an accessory, it was nicknamed Pagoda.

The W 113 was suitable for any occasion – be it for the opera, the golf course or the small shopping – and the main thing: it looked good on you!

Vehicle Overview