– 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL “Pagoda”
– eternally elegant colour combination of dark green paintwork and cognac MB tex interior
– delivered in 1969 to the US and imported back to Germany in 2015
– partly revised 2.8 litre straight six-cylinder engine, 125 kW (170 hp) of power
– cylinder head, timing chain, sprocket and brake lining rear axle renewed
– spark plugs and all engine fluids recently replaced
– new H4 headlights fitted
– good condition with slight patina and no traces of accident damage
– brown convertible top mechanically sound, has been renewed at some point
– body-coloured hardtop in well-preserved shape included
– complete with original owner’s manual and several repair receipts
– Classic Data appraisal assesses replacement value at € 115,000 (condition 2)
– German registration + admission as historic vehicle
– rare 4-speed manual transmission (out of ~ 28,000 280 SL produced, only
~ 400 were delivered with manual transmission)
The Pagoda – a design classic par excellence!
When presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 1963, the W113 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of decorative elements, it came across as very “masculine” and made the predecessors with their rounded styling look outdated.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 W113 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!