Description
Offered for sale is an incredibly original, entirely solid, mechanically strong, numbers matching, cosmetically beautiful, investment grade 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL finished in factory correct and ceaselessly sophisticated White (DB 050) over an entirely original Burgundy interior. The car’s undercarriage is completely original, rust-free and solid and the body and all of the body panels (including the stamped hood) are original and accident-free with original fenders that retain the telltale factory spotwelds in the engine compartment and the notches on the headlamp pylons. The car also comes with a file of records and all of the original books and manuals, as well as an original tool kit.
The car was originally delivered new to a Mr. A. Andreson of Ludington, MI, a picturesque town on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. The original owner’s family would sell the car to a Mr. J. Mosher, another Ludington resident, in the mid 1990s. He retained the car until 2004, when it was sold to Mr. R. Roane of nearby Grand Rapids, MI. Each of the car’s three owners always ensured that the car was extremely well cared for, always garaged and never exposed to the elements. The car was always used as a weekend driver and only in good weather months, resulting in the gorgeous, extremely original, corrosion-free car offered here today with what is believed to be only 43k original miles from new.
The factory correct White finish reflects the care that the car has received throughout its life and it remains clean and consistent, marred only by minor, touched-up imperfections, none of which are significant enough to appear in any of the photographs. Having never had any bodywork, the panel fits and gaps are all factory perfect and all of the glass and chrome is original and entirely unblemished. The car’s original hubcapped wheels are free of any damage, wrapped in tires with plenty of remaining tread, and the car’s hardtop has spent a vast majority of its life in storage and is consequently in excellent original condition. The car’s interior is equally as clean, the Burgundy seats, carpets and interior panels showing only a negligible amount of wear consistent with such a well cared for, low mileage example. The wood trim is in excellent original condition and the car retains its original Becker Europa radio and Kangol seat belts. Lastly, the car’s soft top is in excellent condition with no significant wear or fraying and a clear rear window.
The car is also excellent mechanically, the numbers matching engine firing up effortlessly, idling consistently and pulling strongly and smoothly through each of the original transmission’s gears with excellent, even compression across all cylinders. The car drives and brakes straight and true, the suspension is tight and the ride quality is entirely comfortable whether tooling through town, winding through the canyons or bombing down the highway. Nearly $6,000 was spent on maintenance in the last 2,000 miles to ensure a turn-key, mechanically sound car that needs nothing to be enjoyed apart from a loving new owner. The car’s trunk is entirely original and rust-free, housing the spare wheel and all of the original changing tools, as well as an original tool kit.
The market has never been hotter for W113 Pagoda SLs and in terms of what collectors are looking for in investment grade cars, this exceedingly original, numbers matching, mechanically strong and cosmetically striking 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL checks all of the important boxes: a.) entirely original and rust-free undercarriage, b.) entirely original and rust-free body (including original fenders with the requisite factory spot welds and headlamp notches), c.) strong numbers matching drivetrain, d.) a factory correct and tasteful livery with an entirely original interior, and e.) excellent ownership history indicating only 43k original miles. This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a wonderful example of a quickly appreciating, investment grade classic, one that will undoubtedly provide its next owner with years of trusty service and upside. Having watched the Pagoda SL market of late, we anticipate a high level of interest from potential buyers, so serious individuals or agents should contact us directly and perform their due diligence as early in the purchasing process as possible.
