Description
PRINCIPAL FACTS
We are pleased to offer for sale this late-model Pagoda, a car that has lived a charmed existence having spent most of its life in warm and sunny climates in the USA and France, before finding its way to our shores in 2012 thanks to an obsessive search for a rust-free example by its one and only UK keeper.
CONDITION
This 280SL is in excellent overall condition, a testament to those who have enjoyed the car on both sides of the Atlantic. On inspection by our trained technicians in our workshop there were two points of particular note which we were delighted by; the first is that this Pagoda shows absolutely no signs of previous welding work, and the second is that the creases in the front wings, adjacent to the headlights, are present and correct.
What this points to is careful, considered, accident-free motoring from 1970 to the present day – it is beyond rare to find an un-restored W113 in such condition nowadays. The interior has been retrimmed from MB Tex to Leather at some point, that leather being in fine condition today, and complimented well by the Light Beige exterior which also presents extremely well.
HISTORY
Accompanying the car is a history file that tells a detailed story from the turn of the century until today. We know that this 280SL was supplied new to California in October 1970, having been built in January of that year. In October 2001, with 97, 604 miles on the odometer it was purchased by Paul Steen of Phoenix, Arizona who kept the car until 2008. Within the records are copies of receipts and invoices for significant work such as engine & gearbox rebuild, replacement soft top, new brakes and so on.
In 2009 the car made the trip across the pond to start a new life in France, via Sport Leicht of Paris. It was sold to Eric Benizri in Nice, who kept the car until September 2012 when it was returned to Sport Leicht for sale once more. They undertook a full respray in the original factory colour, and subsequently sold the car to the present owner, based in the UK. The import process was completed in February 2013 and the registration LRL191J was issued.
Further UK maintenance records evidence the no expense spared attitude, significant work to the suspension and the conversion from US to Euro engine spec, with a note from the current owner confirming the car lived in a dehumidified garage during his ownership.
SUMMARY
The history file contains plenty of proof that those who have owned this car have loved and cherished it and cared for it accordingly. A drive in this car will confirm that it wants for nothing, ready to be enjoyed immediately. As a left-hand-drive model it commands less of a premium than an equivalent right-hand example (if you can find one in such original condition), but also lends itself beautifully to exploring the continent as a car with bags of style that could be relied upon to cover thousands of miles with ease.
