1967 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda

Although the DVLA lists this Mercedes-Benz 280SL 4-speed automatic as first registered in January 1967, this is probably just the default date for a car of that year with an unknown build or registration date. Production of the 280SLs didn’t commence until late 1967, so this is likely one of the earliest built after they’d bored out the 2.5-litre inline-six engine of its short-lived predecessor.

We understand that this car was imported from the USA nearly six years ago, although it is a European market “California Coupé” that was previously shipped Stateside. It was first registered in the UK on 30 June 2015.

The so-called California Coupé only has a removable hardtop and no folding soft-top. In the space where the drop-top would have been stowed under a metal cover, a folding rear bench seat is fitted instead, making it a 2+2 layout.

The current owner had always wanted a Pagoda and bought the car straight after it had been imported in 2015. He almost immediately put it through an engine rebuild and bare metal restoration at Pagoda specialists Lovegrove Classics in Silchester, taking the best part of a year and costing over £50,000.

The vendor loves the car and has driven it around 2,000 miles since the restoration, including a holiday in the Lake District, but now fancies something a bit more modern with a sportier performance.

Around five years ago, having been taken back to bare metal, the 280SL was refinished in its factory-specification 728 Beige Grey metallic paint and it still looks very good today. The removable hard top ‘Pagoda’ roof is painted to match the body of the car. There is a tiny patch of bubbles at the base of the right rear roof pillar but few other paint flaws or blemishes that we could see anywhere around the SL.

Further testament to the quality of the restoration is that the panel gaps and shut lines of this 50+ year old car are bang on the money, and there are no signs of any previous damage to either the bodywork or to the chrome fittings and trims, which also present very well.

The 280SL sits on model-correct 14-inch steel wheels painted in body colour with the OEM one-piece chrome and body-coloured wheel covers that were introduced with the 280SL. All are fitted with Vitour Galaxy whitewall tyres, dating from 2015 but which have only covered about 2,000 miles since.

The interior upholstery and trim is understood to be the car’s original black fluted MB-Tex vinyl. MB-Tex is one of the best looking and hardest wearing of the vinyl-based faux leathers and has been used extensively by Mercedes since the early ‘60s. The spring supports in the seats have clearly weakened over the years but in terms of coverings, they wear the creases of age well and appear to have no tears or other damage.

The door cards and dash are also in a black vinyl, and the instrument panel is a pleasing combination of body coloured metal and chrome/aluminium trims. Centrally in the dash is a period-and-model-correct Becker Europa radio. The vendor reports that all electrical and interior equipment is working as it should.

What looks like the original large diameter two-spoke steering wheel with vinyl trimmed central boss and horn bar is present and in pretty good condition. There are also a few wooden fittings like a tray between the seats and wood veneered trim on the dash top, all of which appears intact and well varnished.

The grey speckled carpets look reasonably new and in good order throughout and also have protective overmats in the front. The headlining has a few marks and stains, particular towards the rear but is otherwise taut and undamaged.

Under the front-hinged bonnet, the engine bay appears relatively clean and tidy, with signs of recent renewal to various ancillaries and pipework. Since the engine rebuild a handful of years ago the car has been regularly serviced. There are no obvious signs of rust or damage anywhere around either the engine compartment or the bonnet itself.

We haven’t yet seen the undersides, but the car has been well kept and there was nothing noted by way of underbody corrosion in any of the previous MoT inspections.

The boot space has a simple carpet lining, which appears clean and undamaged, and inside are a covered spare wheel and jack.

The car has a current MoT valid until October 2021 and the online record shows near annual testing since its first in the UK in 2015 despite being age exempt. As you may know we think annual third-party assessments of historic vehicles are prudent.

There is little in the way of documentation that comes with the car from before its import to the UK but there are a few US registration cards, a recent service history and a genuine Owner’s Manual.

Following restoration, we understand that the car has had routine maintenance each year and kept in good running order. The latest service was at Mercedes specialist Gem-Tech in November 2020.

This 280SL California Coupé looks in beautiful condition and the vendor describes driving it to be equally pleasing; being mechanically well sorted too. The Pagoda SL is an immensely desirable car and like all SLs, prices vary wildly depending on the condition and specification.

We’ve seen average asking prices for 280SLs like this, which were holding steady for a number of years, rocketing up over the last 18 months. This one is a very strong example which we think will sell for between £69,000 and £89,000.

Should you be concerned that there is no soft-top option? It’s a personal preference of course, but this era of SL got its nickname from the hard top which has plenty of glass, so maybe it doesn’t matter. In all likelihood you’ll only take the car out when the weather is sunny and dry so you may not need a roof at all. If you were concerned, you could always get a vinyl tonneau to fit across the cabin if the forecast is uncertain.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at our HQ near Abingdon; to arrange an appointment please use the ‘Contact Seller’ button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.