1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL, Concourse Division Winner

Investment Grade 1969 280SL The harmonics resonating from its 2. 8-liter (2778cc). overhead-cam. and inline-6 with tuned Mercedes exhaust is exhilarating. like a beautifully orchestrated concerto of gears. valves. revs and seat-of-the-pants performance that takes command of the open road. A thorough test drive in the 1969 Mercedes Benz 280SL Roadster (VIN113 044 120 113 70). revealed a four-wheeled mistress of fine leather and German steel. which awakens the senses. and transforms the timid into a bad. bad boy. Uncoiling the tuned suspension of this special ‘69 280SL on a twisty mountain road was as rhythmic as Bach’s Toccata in D Minor; with the blip of a throttle and occasional nudge of the wheel. it simply sings. Of course. it is also visually striking. deliciously memorable. and great fun all around. Hagerty’s data on classics confirms the ’69 is a strong investment-grade car with rock-star presence. Thanks to the linear performance feel from its 4-speed automatic at speed and thoughtful ergonomics from behind the wheel. it embodies all that is good about the craftsmanship of the series that enthusiasts crave. and that collectors travel far and wide to quantify. Quick. agile. and soothing. this particular Signal Red 280SL Roadster serves up plenty of other admirable adjectives. With a fortune invested in the final restoration and upgrades. this 280SL is a show quality personal two-seater. This is how it took the Division Winner trophy at the Mercedes Benz Concours d’Elegance. Clearly. nothing was overlooked. That includes the commission of Stuttgardet in Dallas. Texas to finesse the engine to a state of ecstasy. Perhaps what is more telling for investors is the fact that the previous owner was the president of the Mercedes Benz Club of Dallas. Texas. A few minutes with Gerry Goodman and one knows enough to see the ’69 280SL as one of the most notable cars to come out of Germany during the Sixties. and one of his most cherished memories. “I put only a couple of hundred miles on the car and it was kept in a climate-controlled garage. under a car cover. said Goodman. “It came out only on Sundays and to special Mercedes events when I was president of the club. ” “I have restored several of these cars. and that’s how I got into the business. Gerry said. “I bought it when it was at a shop in Dallas. I knew it was a solid car the moment I saw it. It was owned by a woman. who taught junior high school. and I ended up buying it from her. he added. According to Gerry. the car was originally black and nearly rust-free. But he wanted to take it down to bare metal and repaint it a factory correct Signal Red. “It was originally classic black with a dark red MB interior. and I had it stripped down to bare metal before going with a top-of-the-line Signal Red German Glasurit two-stage paint scheme. he added. Goodman then selected new Palomino leather for the interior. including Bamboo carpeting. new door panels. and surround. A new German canvas khaki soft top. new visors and a long list of other features (shown below) added to the final work. An organized workbook containing important paid invoices. photographs. original owner's manual. and previous owner testimonials are included in sale. Less than one year after the 250SL arrived on the scene. Mercedes-Benz introduced the 280SL. and shuttered the “pagoda” SL line in 1971 after nearly 24. 00 were built. Only half of those 24. 00 came to the U. S. Like its predecessor. the 280 was notable for clean. stylish lines. smart placement of the wheels in proportion to the rest of the design. and a tall. removable hard top that allowed for ease of ingress and egress called a "pagoda. " The 280 like other W113 cars used a monocoque chassis. with coils and wishbones up front. and a single-pivot swing axle and transverse springs out back. for camber. The ’69 280SL sported four-wheel discs for optimum braking power. Bosch fuel injection was adapted to the 2. 8-liter to provide approximately 180-hp. slightly more than the 230 and 250. Torque increased to 177 ft-lb and three transmission configurations were available: The 4-speed manual transmission (standard). 4-speed automatic transmission (optional). and a ZF 5-speed manual (optional). Moreover. for the 1960s. Mercedes offered three engine types: 2. 3. 2. 5 and 2. 8 liters. The 280SL was built between 1967 and 1971. and was eventually discontinued to make way for the W107 series. According to Mercedes historian and appraiser. Steve Cram. who was recently quoted in Hemmings Motor News. “The 280SL is the most refined of the series. ” According to the Hagerty’s Valuation Report. the 1969 280SL convertible is climbing steeply in value. Notable 280SLs on Hagerty’s are valued in excess of $140. 00 and rising. There is no better time to experience the drive in this gorgeous ’69 280SL. 1969 Mercedes Benz 280SL VIN 113 044 120 113 70 New Signal Red German Glasurit PaintBody Stripped Down to Bare MetalEngine Completely Rebuilt By StuttgardtNew Headlamp BucketsOriginal Beck RadioAll-New Rubber SealsNew Brake Booster and LinesNew Gas TankNew Chrome Headlamps and LensesNew Correct Bumper GuardsNew Heater LeversNew Exhaust System. Muffler and Chrome TipsNew BatteryAutomatic Transmission Torque Converter RebuiltAir ConditionedNew Rear Axle Springs. Shocks and All BushingsNew Palomino Leather Interior for Seats and Door PanelsKick Panels. Surround and DashNew Seat Pads and HeadrestNew Bamboo CarpetsNew Soft Top of German Canvas in KhakiNew Headliner in Signal Red HardtopNew Factory Sun visors (MB)New Michelin Steel Belted RadialsNew Fuel PumpNew Wiper MotorNew Wiper ArmsNew Wiper SwitchPlush Mercedes Logo MatsNew Water PumpOwned by Collectors Past 12 YearsTool Roll and Original ManualNice Wood Car Cover