1968 Mercedes-Benz SL 280 Pagoda

This Mercedes 280 SL was first registered in 1968 in the United States, and it is identified by chassis number 11304412002849. The car is finished in an elegant medium blue (colour code 903H) with a soft blue leather interior. Mated to a four-speed automatic transmission, under the front bonnet lurks the largest and most powerful of the straight six with which the "Pagoda" is equipped: identified by serial number 130983-12-001749, the engine has a displacement of 2778 cc and delivers 170 hp. The odometer shows a mileage of 71,426 km.

According to what the current owner (a true expert and connoisseur of the Mercedes SL "Pagoda") told us, the car was partially restored a few years ago. The bodywork is in good order overall, with no defects. Some areas have recently been restored, such as the sides, repainted in the original colour to the height of the door handles. The front headlights and the plastics of the rear ones are new. Although showing signs of time, all the exterior chrome plating is still shiny. Both bumper blades (front and rear) and the grille surround (including the horizontal "whiskers" on either side of the classic three-pointed star Mercedes logo) are new. The soft top (manually operated) is in good condition: it works properly and shows no signs of wear. Accompanying the car is also the body-colour hard-top. The underside of the under doors has been stripped down, cleaned and protected with an epoxy primer and a coat of antirumble.

Fully lined in elegant, soft dark blue leather, the interior is in excellent condition. To bring it back to the top, the leather covering the seats was nourished and repainted (using the original hue, blue MB tex). The carpet covering the floor is the original one and shows no evident signs of wear. Also in good condition are all the wooden parts (the one around the hard-top rear window has been repainted in the original colour) and the hard-top ceiling trim. The aluminium door-knocker profiles are also new. The steering wheel was recently replaced and is virtually as good as new. All on-board instrumentation (speedometer, engine oil pressure and coolant temperature gauges, etc.) with American scales, has been replaced with a European equivalent. The air conditioning is not working but can be restored by replacing the compressor and system radiator.

The underneath is in good order and is still well protected by the anti-rumble, showing no traces of thorough corrosion. The engine compartment presents very well and neatly. The old flame guard, cracked by the heat, has been replaced with an original replacement. In recent years, mechanics have benefited from numerous operations. In particular, the radiator, water pump and thermostat, spark plug wires, distributor and ignition coil have been replaced. Also new is the master cylinder of the braking system, which was completely overhauled with new discs and pads and an overhaul of the callipers. The hoses, fuel pump, and entire exhaust line were also replaced. A general tune-up was carried out on the engine, including checking the timing chain tension and overhauling the mechanical injection system.

The Mercedes was first registered in the USA in 1968. Accompanying the car are some invoices attesting to maintenance work provided by an authorized Mercedes garage in Minnesota. The car was brought back to Europe a few years ago by a Dutch dealer specializing in the Mercedes SL trade. In 2017, the "Pagoda" was purchased by the current owner, who carried out numerous operations to bring the car to its best. The car was re-registered with Italian license plates in Milan in the summer of 2019 and has always been regularly checked (the next inspection is scheduled for 2024). In July 2022 a complete service was performed with the replacement of engine oil and spark plugs. Since then, the car has run little: about a thousand kilometres between northern Italy and Cote d'Azur.

Along with the W198 and W121B II series models from the 1950s and 1960s and R129 from the 1980s and 1990s, the "Pagodas" are among the Mercedes SLs most prized and desired by collectors and connoisseurs of the German brand. This example, in particular, features quite an elegant exterior-interior colour scheme. In addition, it can count not only on more power than other versions of the model but also on a solid torque that allows for smooth and immediate acceleration in the long term. The mechanics, moreover, have recently been overhauled in all its significant parts and this is not a minor detail, in light of the high costs involved in keeping a car of this lineage in good shape. In short, we are faced with a timeless classic ready to go, to breathe with the wind in your hair and all the charm of the great Mercedes of the past.

Price estimate for this Mercedes SL 280 Pagoda: €60.000 - €80.000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located in the province of Cuneo, Italy. 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”.