About this Mercedes-Benz SL Series

ORIGINAL RHD UK CAR WITH FULL SERVICE HISTORY

The Mercedes-Benz W113 'Pagoda' Sports was introduced at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show and replaced both the 300 SL (W198) and the 190 SL (W121).

It was produced between 1963 and 1971 and a total of 48,912 cars were built before it was replaced by the W107 series SL's in 1971.
The car was developed under the auspices of Mercedes-Benz Technical Director Fritz Nallinger, Chief Engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut and Head of Styling Friedrich Geiger. The lead designers were Paul Bracq and Béla Barényi, who created its patented and slightly concave hardtop, which inspired the "Pagoda" nickname.

All models were equipped with an inline-six cylinder engine with multi-port mechanical fuel injection with the first cars having a 2.3 Litre engine followed by a 2.5 litre for one year only in 1967 and finally the 2.8 litre engine was installed in 1968 and continued through to the end of production in 1971. The bonnet, boot lid, door skins and hood cover were all made of aluminium to reduce weight and the comparatively short and wide chassis, combined with an excellent suspension, powerful brakes and radial tyres gave the W113 superb handling for its time.
The styling of the front, with its characteristic upright Bosch "fishbowl" headlights and simple chrome grille, dominated by the large three-pointed star in the nose panel, paid homage to the earlier 300 SL roadster.

This lovely Mercedes 280SL Pagoda Sports - Chassis No: 11304422000944 and Engine No: 130981227728R was first registered to its first owner of the Royal Swan in Blackwater, Camberley on 3rd April 1968. It is finished in its original colour scheme of Silver Metallic with a Black leather interior, Black Mohair Soft Top and factory Hard Top. It was sold by us to the current owner from London on 15th December 2006 (18 years ago) and it is a car that has been driven very regularly by him during this time and he has in fact covered just under 33,000 miles including lots of trips to his house in North Wales.

During his 18 years of ownership the car has had lots of work including an exchange Engine, new sills, repairs to floors, repainting of most of the car, a reconditioned Automatic Gearbox, numerous new ancillaries and parts, and it has been regularly serviced by ourselves. The history file contains invoices dating back to 1971 and it has been looked after and maintained by a number of Mercedes specialists during this time including Schmitt Automobiles in St Johns Wood for 10 years, Steve Redfearn in Wimbledon and Colin Ferns in Richmond.

The car has now covered 171,478 Miles in the 57 years since it was built in 1968, which equates to circa 3,000 miles per annum, but only 30,000 miles on the reconditioned engine fitted in 2008. The car is in overall very nice condition and is a very solid car with no serious corrosion issues, and the only flaws are a few tiny rust bubbles on a couple of panels, but we are going to attend to these before sale. The interior is original, but presentable, and both Hard & Soft Tops are in good condition.

Due to the fact that this car has been driven very regularly, we have to say that it is one of the nicest Pagoda's we have had to drive for some time and both the engine and automatic transmission are superb. This is a very original car that has not had a full restoration, but it has had on-going works as and when required and is in very nice condition overall. Our asking price reflects the fact that it has not been the subject of a full restoration and is very reasonable for an original UK Right Hand Drive car when compared to many other RHD examples currently advertised for sale.

We are now in the process of preparing the car for sale and works will include rectification of the paintwork, a full showroom preparation/valet, and upon sale it will have full service and a new MOT, and will come with our own 6 Month Mechanical Warranty . 

A full set of photographs and a video will follow upon completion of our preparation works which we hope to have completed by mid to late February 2025.

NB: Classic Chrome Ltd make every effort to ensure that the information in this advertisement is accurate and all statements as to provenance and condition are given as opinions only. When describing any car that is more than 20 years old, we sometimes have to rely on the car's history file and any information provided by the previous owner(s). This information in passed on in good faith and is therefore not purported to be a statement of fact. Any prospective purchaser must satisfy themselves as to the condition and fitness for use of the vehicle. This does not affect your statutory rights.