Description
1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda
Details
Registration No: LDW 999G
Chassis No: the details below
MOT: Exempt
£145, 000
Restored by the respected Roger Edwards Company of Amersham
Finished in Silver Grey Metallic (180) with a Red leather interior
Described by journalist J. J Vollans in 2023 as 'utterly stunning'
Its service and repair history, dating back to 1986, documents expenditures amounting to tens of thousands of pounds
Though not a California Coupé, the side-mounted ‘dicky seat’ positioned behind the front seats has been crafted to an impressive standard.
Successor to both the exotic race bred 300SL 'Gullwing' Coupe and its humbler 190SL sibling, the W113 series SL proved more comfortable than the former and faster than the latter (a point emphasised by Eugen Bohringer's 1963 Liege-Sofia-Liege rally victory). First of the line, the 230SL was introduced at the March 1963 Geneva Salon. Penned by Paul Bracq, its wonderfully crisp styling clothed a monocoque chassis equipped with all-round independent coil-sprung suspension and disc brakes. Powered by a 2308cc SOHC straight-six engine mated to either an automatic or manual transmission, the model was credited with 150bhp and 159lbft of torque. Reputedly capable of 124mph, it was praised by the contemporary motoring press for its performance, roadholding, and refinement. Available in Californian Coupe, Convertible or Coupe Convertible guises, the last of these came with both a soft-top and the famous 'Pagoda' hardtop roof, so called because of its gently scalloped centre section.
‘LDW 999G’ was first registered as a right-hand drive car on the 15th May 1969 on the plate ‘YLP 1’. A scarce UK car from new and with just four former keepers, this very fine ‘matching numbers’ 280 SL was previously restored by the respected Roger Edwards Motors of Amersham. Described as “utterly stunning” by journalist J. J Vollans in 2023, a Roger Edwards Motors report, dated 8th July 2008 described ‘LDW’ (even then) as “…an outstanding example of a restored car…. The panel fit and paintwork is excellent.” ‘LDW’ had benefitted from some minor repair work some years earlier with work to the chassis legs, the replacement of both sills and the floor before a repaint and retrimming. The work still presents as very fresh. The retrimmed interior is in very good order and the chrome work is excellent throughout. The SL Shop previously commented, “the soft-top, in our eye, is one of the best fitting hoods we have ever come across.” Of course, it has the Becker radio, which, in this instance, offers a Bluetooth receiver upgrade, enabling you to stream music from your phone and enjoy it through the car’s speakers, all while preserving its stunning original aesthetics. Additionally, a Sigma alarm system, operated via a key fob, has been fitted to ensure more 21st century security.
A delightful feature of ‘LDW’ is the extra rear seat that was previously fitted by Roger Edwards Motors. Though not a California Coupé, the side-mounted ‘dicky seat’ positioned behind the front seats has been crafted to an impressive standard, offering marginally more practicality than a standard soft-top car. However, the real enhancement in interior comfort comes from the deep, luxurious leather seats that feature matching head restraints.
In 2022, the SL Shop reported they had carried out the following works. The suspension: The offside inner and outer ball joint gaiters and front anti-roll bar bushes replaced. The drive-train: A gearbox service and pressure check; coolant pipes repositioned away from the flywheel and power steering pulley. Brakes: Old fluid flushed out and renewed. Interior: B-pillar chrome replaced; off-side and near-side soft top upper window seals replaced. Underside: The underbody cleaned and Waxoyl applied. The SL's service and repair history, dating back to 1986, documents expenditures amounting to tens of thousands of pounds, with most of these costs substantiated by invoices. The majority of the record shows the car in the care of John Griffiths, Roger Edwards and J. Madden and lists works that include the engine overhaul at a recorded 89, 007 miles in 1989 and servicing work.
Quite simply, a beautiful example of this iconic Mercedes-Benz model.
