Description
On March of 1963, Mercedes-Benz Technical Director Fritz Nallinger introduced the w113 at the Geneva Motor Show by stating ‘It was our aim to create a safe and fast sportscar with high performance, which despite its sports characteristics provides a very high degree of traveling comfort’. This aim would not be achieved up till the 3rd major revision of the w113 that would be released on December of 1967 as 280 SL and remain in production till February of 1971.
Despite Mercedes-Benz’s Bela Barenyi’s elaborate design of a safe rigid cabin cell with front and rear crumple zone, passenger’s safety would not be fully addressed until August of 1967 when the w113 received the substantially revised ‘280 safety interior’ featuring a collapsible steering column, padded dashboard and steering wheel hub, concave knobs and elastic levers, as well as 3 point seat belts for US cars. Moreover, safer signaling to other road users was achieved via standardizing amber lights in headlights, installing a hazard lights circuit and illuminating all side reflectors for US destined cars. Comfort in the 280 SL was also upgraded with softer suspension settings, air conditioning, heated hardtop rear window, illuminated gearbox speed selector, single master key for all locks and increased fuel capacity for worry-free grand touring. Safety and comfort upgrades aside, the most essential achievement by MB technicians in the 280 SL was an increased power to weight ratio. Despite the pagoda’s reduced body weight via aluminum engine hood, trunk lid, door skins and tonneau cover, both 2. 3lt and 2. 5 lt units felt underpowered to propel the w113 to driver satisfaction levels. Once cylinder capacity was maximized to 2778 cc, the inline 6 cylinder would boast 170 bhp and 244 Nm transforming the w113 into an agile performer that could finally exploit its double wishbone front suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, limited slip differential where fitted and shorter rear axle ratios in US cars. The raised output was pivotal enough for Mercedes-Benz to be bench testing every engine to guarantee its output prior to having it installed to a 280SL in the assembly line. Notably, the w113 development did not cease with the introduction of the 280 SL but continued with a series of upgrades with last one announced on November of 1970 prior to the last one produced on the 23rd of February of 1971.
The w113 280 SL offered is was produced on the 17th of February 1971 to feature all development upgrades ever conceived for a w113 as well as several options and finished in most attractive color combination of Anthracite Gray over Deep Red interior with matching Anthracite Gray hardtop. After 3 decades in Houston, the original owner sold the 280SL to a family friend who would spend the next 2 decades in the southern side of Europe. In 2019 the 280SL would be treated to a no-expense spared cosmetic and mechanical reconditioning by a Mercedes-Benz-authorized restoration facility in Athens that included a full body respray in the original color and an extensive series of engine, suspension, brakes and drivetrain rendering an exceptional riding quality. It is now offered with less than 1000 miles since 2019 in stellar condition throughout with full ownership and service history.
Specifications
Date of Manufacture: 17 February 1971
Model year: 1971
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model: 280 SL / 8
Chassis number: 113. 044-12-023716
Body number: 649
Production number: 332
Engine type: M130 E28
Engine specifications: 2778cc, 6 cylinder in line, single overhead camshaft, Bosch port fuel injection, compression 9. 5:1, 162 bhp 5750rpm, 174 lb-ft 4500rpm
Engine number: 130. 983-12-016102, Data Card matching
Transmission type: 4-speed automatic
Exterior color, code: Anthracite Grey, db173G
Hardtop and hubcap color, code: Antracite Grey, db173G
Interior color, trim, code: Deep Red, MB-Tex, 132
Carpet color, code: Deep Red, 3004
Options:
249 Rear Window, Electrically Heated (Heat-Insulating Glass)
401 Single Seats
416 Hardtop Mounted, Softtop Folded
426 Power Steering and Automatic Transmission with Floor Shift
440 Bumpers with Guards, Front and Rear
461 Instrument with Mileage Reading and English Lettering
491 US Version
503 Outside Rear View Mirror, On The Left
524 Paintcoat Preservation
595 Green Heat-Insulating Glass, All Around
600 Trim Strips on Hardtop
641 White-Wall Tires
669 Spare Wheel
740 Soft Top Fabric ABC
Ownership history:
1971-2004: 1st owner
2004-2019: 2nd owner
2019-present: 3rd owner
