About this Mercedes-Benz SL Series

In 1963, Mercedes-Benz debuted an all-new roadster to replace the 190 SL and 300 SL - the 230 SL. The 230 SL 'Pagoda' was a stunning Paul Bracq designed two-seat convertible that followed Mercedes' new design language, featuring crisp lines and upright headlights. To save on weight, the bonnet, door-skins, boot lid, and tonneau cover were all composed of aluminium. The nickname 'Pagoda' was quickly adopted thanks to the slightly concave roof on the optional removable hardtop that resembled a pagoda roof. In 1967, Mercedes introduced the 2.5 Litre 250 SL which was only produced for one year and at the end of 1967 the third and final iteration of the 'Pagoda', the 280 SL was launched and it then became apparent that some cars don't change, they just get better. The 280 featured the same modified W111 chassis with a rear swing axle and independent front suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. Power came from a 2. 8 litre version of Mercedes inline-six and used Bosch fuel injection. A charming model with capable handling and braking thanks to its suspension and all-wheel disc brakes. These roadsters also have one of the most beautiful bodies produced in the 1960s. Thanks to their robust inline-six and their luxurious Mercedes interior, they are wonderful cars to be driven and enjoyed.

This stunning LHD Mercedes-Benz 280SL - Chassis number: 113044 12 016178 and Engine number: 130 963 12 010562 is a 'Matching Numbers' car and it was first registered in New York City on the 27th April 1970. The car is finished in its original specification of Grey Blue Metallic (906) with Parchment MB Tex trim (255) and has a Blue Mohair Soft Top and matching Pagoda Hard Top in Grey Blue Metallic, optional factory rear seat or “jump seat”, its original 2.8 Litre Engine, 4 Speed Automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, aftermarket Air Conditioning, Power Assisted Steering, its original Blaupunkt AM/FM/SW dash mounted stereo and a Sony Stereo/CD player mounted below the dash.

The car was repainted approximately 10 years ago to an exceptional standard and the interior was re-trimmed in 2017 by a specialist in New York with the correct Parchment MB Tex, the wood trim on the dashboard and centre console were also refurbished and a new Blue Mohair Soft Top was fitted.

We are informed that it only had the one owner in New York before it was sold by a dealer to a couple in San Jose, California on 6th November 2017. There is a pre-purchase inspection report in the file which was carried out for the buyers by an independent specialist in October 2017 and the mileage recorded at that time of the inspection was 92,598 which was its genuine mileage from new! The report is very comprehensive and it indicates just how good the car was. The new owners in California hardly used the car and when we purchased it from a dealer in San Francisco, it only had only covered a further 300 miles and now has 92,914 miles on the clock!

It comes with its original Mercedes Benz Owners manual, Mercedes Literature, Service records, tool kit and jack, car cover and a copy of the Mercedes Benz Data Card (build sheet) showing Chassis number: 113044 12 016178 and Engine number: 130 963 12 010562 and Transmission stamping (006264) which match those on the car.

Decoding the factory options and chassis/engine numbers reveals the following:

Chassis Number: 113044 12 016178
Engine Number: 130 963 12 010562
Transmission Number: 006264
Key Code: HF 0297
Exterior Colour Code: 906 Grey Blue Body & Hardtop
Interior Colour: 255 Parchment

256 – Limited Slip Rear Axle
401 – Single seats
416 – Hardtop mounted
426 – Power steering
440 – Bumpers with guards, front and rear
461 – Instrument with mileage reading and English lettering
491 – US version
503 – Outside rearview mirror, driver’s side
515 – Becker AM/FM radio
524 – Paint coat preservation
565 – Rear Seating
598 – Heat Insulated Glass / Heated Rear Panel
608 – Trim Strips on Hardtop
641 – Whitewall tires
669 – Shipping protection
743 – Soft Top Fabric / Velium Coloured

This is genuinely an exceptional and completely rust-free example of the 280SL Pagoda Mercedes and in arguably one of the nicest colour schemes. On the road the car really does drive and perform well with no known issues whatsoever and it is certainly one of the best we have driven for a long time. We have also just fitted new European specification chrome bumpers and the car has just been UK registered with the DVLA and given the age related number plate TUJ 462H.

There are a lot of LHD Pagoda's advertised for sale, although mostly 230 SL's rather than late 280 SL's like this one, and at prices range from ​£50,000 to over £250,000 for some totally rebuilt examples, so we feel that our car represents excellent value for a car of this quality and it really does need to be seen and driven to be fully appreciated. Any inspection welcome.

Upon sale the car will come with our own customer care package including a new MOT (although exempt), pre sales Service, HPI/provenance Checks, 55-point pre-delivery inspection and 6 months mechanical breakdown Parts & Labour Warranty which can be upgraded and extended at additional cost if required. Delivery anywhere in the UK can be arranged if required.

Car on display @ our showrooms in Mortlake, South West London.

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.