1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda

Highlights

One owner from 1971 until 2015
One previous owner from new
Ground up restoration
Excellent on top and underneath
Left Hand Drive + 4 Speed Manual
Matching numbers
New front and rear suspension
Engine rebuild
Original European car

The Appeal

The second generation of Mercedes-Benz’s “Sports Leicht” or SL series was introduced in 1964 and was an instant success, thanks in no small part to its drop-dead gorgeous looks. Known as the ‘Pagoda’ thanks to its distinctive inwardly tapered roof, the SL has gone on to become hugely collectable with the best examples easily commanding six figures.

This one is all-the-more desirable thanks to being a genuine European model – many of the Pagodas on the market as US imports, which are less attractive thanks to their thicker bumpers and twin headlamps. But not this one. This one is the real deal – a Pagoda that looks exactly as Mercedes intended, and in one of the best colours. Fresh from a comprehensive restoration in the vendor’s own bodyshop, it’s a remarkable example with lots of lovely original features.

The History and Paperwork

Owned by vendor for almost 10 years
Fully restored in 2020
Some old invoices and MOTs
UK V5C
Invoices for all parts acquired during restoration (not photographed)
For sale only to fund new business venture
Originally sold in France, imported in 2012

The Interior

Blue leather upholstery
Delicate wood trim
Becker Mexico radio
Original tool kit
Left-hand drive

Inside, this car is in superb fettle. The seats are trimmed in excellent blue-coloured leather and look fabulous, set-off beautifully by a delicate black-rimmed steering wheel and wooden fascia inlays.

The painted metal is in good order, while all of the dials work as they should. The carpets are good, and the car retains its original fabric roof stowed beneath the rear deck, which is in equally fine order. It’s set off by a wonderful original-spec Becker Mexico stereo, which the owner tracked down as a finishing touch and cost him over £1,000 alone.

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The Exterior

Light Blue Metallic
Complete stripdown and bare metal respray
New tyres
Excellent roof
Minor chrome deterioration

Finished in the imaginatively titled Light Blue Metallic, the Pagoda was restored in 2020 at the vendor’s own bodyshop and has been done to an extremely high standard, with the underneath as much a consideration as on top – the photos should show this.

It’s an absolute stunner, with no evident corrosion at all both on the body and the chassis. The only thing the new owner may want to source are new front bumper bars, as there is some light corrosion and a couple of creases – the vendor hasn’t been able to source new ones yet and they’re perfectly presentable as is, but they’re the one thing that probably prevent the car from being concours.

Both the fabric roof and metal hardtop are in great condition. There’s a small mark on the nearside quarter panel that was caused by a falling box in the owner’s garage – it’s barely noticeable in the photos but the vendor asserts that this will be completely rectified and put back to ‘as good as new’ before the auction completes.

The Mechanics

2.8-litre straight six
Four-speed manual
Engine rebuild
Recent full service
Well-maintained by garage-owning vendor
New suspension and brakes
Refurbished steering box

Make no mistake – this car was restored comprehensively and not just cosmetically. That means it has had everything it has needed including a top end engine rebuild. It has also had the entire front and rear suspension, rear axle, differential and brakes replaced and the steering box refurbished.

The vendor describes it as excellent throughout and reports that it drives exactly as it should do.

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Summary

This is a fabulous example of a restored Pagoda, comprehensively and professionally finished off and in gorgeous condition throughout. It’s a great example in wonderful show-worthy condition and represents a terrific investment opportunity for its next owner.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

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