Mercedes-Benz 280 SL

Mercedes Benz 280 SL Convertible “Pagoda” 1970

The 280 SL is a beautifully designed and constructed sports car that was way ahead of its time in 1970.

It was the first sports car to have a “safety body” design. This design had a rigid passenger cell to protect passengers and carefully designed crumple zones in the front and back that would absorb impacts. It was the first Mercedes sold with radial tires. The relatively short wheel base was balance by a very wide stance that pushed the wheels out to each corner and provided wonderful handling characteristics for this era. Another engineering design used aluminum for the hood, trunk, door skins and tonneau cover to give strength, save weight and lessen the risk of rust. Truly a car ahead of its time.

This car was originally sold in California and was purchased in 1996 by a North Carolina enthusiast who has garaged the car at his home.

The car has very nice paint with very little road wear. The right rear panel shows a slightly different shade of paint which is the way the second owner bought the car. The chrome is very nice and the interior is original and nicely maintained. The seats are in great shape with no cracks and a supple feel. The interior carpeting is good but has some fading. The soft top is original and is probably ready for replacement but if not, the “pagoda” hard top is ready for less than sunny days. The hard top is the original one sold with this car and fits and matches. The car drives great and has a “manual/auto” feature whereby the driver can let off the throttle and move a shift lever for the next gear on the fly.

The chassis has only 52,000 miles and the engine has less. An oil filter ”O” ring problem called for an engine replacement by the second owner in 1997. It is all Mercedes but not the original engine for this car (about 15k miles on new engine). Good news is that the combination of a fresh engine and low over all miles will allow the next owner to enjoy all this car has to offer without the worry of extra miles on the odometer.

A small Hollywood connection for this car. It was driven daily by James Garner of Rockford Files fame when he was in Asheville, NC for the filming of the motion picture My Fellow Americans.

This is a wonderful example of a Mercedes Icon. Truly well designed in form and substance. It is also ready to be driven and enjoyed.

Features Include:

- 52,822 miles

- No Rust

- 2.8 Liter 6 Cylinder

- Bosch Fuel Injection

- 180 hp

- Automatic Transmission (with manual option)

- Leather trimmed interior

- Removable “ pagoda” hard top

- Four wheel disc brakes

- Fresh brakes front and back

- Factory bumper guards w/excellent rubber

- Passenger side mirror

- Original Becker AM/FM Radio w/dual presets

- Original dash mounted speaker and antenna

- Factory Air Conditioning

- Monocoque chassis

- Coil and wishbone front suspension

- Original paint, chrome and interior

- 7,935 produced in 1970