This 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL is a European-Market example which was acquired by the current owner in 2003. Finished in Signal Red (568) over Black MB-Tex (131), power is provided by a 2.8-liter fuel-injected inline-six paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. Features include a black removable Pagoda hardtop, a folding soft top, 14” steel wheels with painted hubcaps, four-wheel disc brakes, a lockable glove box and a Becker Grand Prix radio. Recent maintenance from 2022 included new spark plugs, a new battery and new heater levers. Now showing 61,454 kilometers (~38k miles), this 280SL “Pagoda” is offered by the selling dealer on behalf of the current owner with a clean California title.
The factory 14” steel wheels are fitted with black painted hubcaps and come wrapped in a set of Hankook Optimo H724 tires measuring 185/75. Four-wheel disc brakes are fitted as standard. A full-size spare is fitted in the trunk along with the factory jack.
Black MB-Tex (131) lines the dash, door panels and manually-adjustable seats which are fitted with inertia-reel three-point seatbelts. The paint-matched dashboard houses a VDO analog clock, a lockable glove box, controls for heating and ventilation, and a Becker Grand Prix radio. New heater levers were recently fitted to the car and a set of aftermarket speakers have been fitted to the rear parcel shelf. The seller reports that the courtesy lamp, glove box light and cigarette lighter are not functional along with a small crack in the dash pad and a crack on the steering wheel.
The two-spoke black steering wheel fronts a 220 km/h speedometer along with a 7k-rpm tachometer and a central multigauge with readouts for fuel level, coolant temperature and oil pressure. The five-digit odometer shows 61k kilometers, approximately 38k miles, with true mileage unknown.
This W113 Pagoda is powered by a 2.8-liter fuel-injected M130 inline-six which is rated for 168 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission. The engine was replaced under current ownership in 2007 with a unit from Metric Motors. Recent maintenance shows the replacement of the battery and new spark plugs in February 2022. The trunk floor panel is said to have been replaced in 2005. The seller notes some grey/blue smoke under swift acceleration.
The car was purchased by the current owner in 2003 and shows partial service history dating back to 2007. This 1968 280SL “Pagoda” is now offered for sale on consignment by the selling dealer with partial service history, a copy of the original data card and a clean California title in the seller’s name.
A driving demonstration video has been provided by the seller below.
The W113 or "Pagoda" SL is arguably one of the best looking Mercedes ever produced and moreover one of the most iconic convertibles to come out of the 1960's. The Bracq-designed masterpiece was almost twice as expensive as the E-Type of the time and seems to be a favorite amongst various MB enthusiasts and generations. This European-market example benefits from the single-lens headlamps and the absence of side markers which serve to add to the simplicity of the styling. With the 2.8L engine and 4-speed manual pairing, this is not your average Pagoda. Rather, the ideal spec for any collector and driver. Furthermore, the original two-tone paint scheme differentiates this example from your average Signal Red Pagoda. Along with 16 years of documented service history, this 280SL is sure to bring many years of joy to its lucky new owner.
Open Transit:
Enclosed Transit:
The winning bidder will receive an email with the quote and option to proceed with shipping.
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10 Comments
$71,000 bid placed by @Kit94559
$66,500 bid placed by @Acrossthepond
Still plenty of time to secure this unique pure specification Pagoda!
$65,500 bid placed by @Vondutchbus
$65,000 bid placed by @Kit94559
@Vondutchbus Thanks for the support!
$62,500 bid placed by @Vondutchbus
$55,000 bid placed by @Acrossthepond
$52,000 bid placed by @Kit94559
$50,000 bid placed by @Acrossthepond
$46,500 bid placed by @Kit94559
$46,000 bid placed by @LPS2
$44,000 bid placed by @Bider7
To all. Be sure to read paragraph 6 and read image 254 carefully regarding the exchange engine long block.
@mayart Thanks for the note. This is the first time this SL has been listing with my friends at MB Market.
@seller is this the same car that was listed here few months ago?
Impressive attention with documentation in photos. GLWA!
$42,000 bid placed by @LPS2
Last day for this cool 280SL. Be sure to look at all the images as I photographed and labeled many key areas that constitute a proper 113 280SL. The car is located at my gallery in Burlingame, CA - 5 minutes south the San Francisco Airport. The car will be sold as-is with no warranty implied or otherwise. Non-dealer California buyers will pay all appropriate sales tax and license fees. Bidders should refresh their browser regularly in the last minutes to make sure they are seeing the latest bids. New bidders should remember that any bid placed in the last 2 minutes of the auction resets the auction clock to 2 minutes. Best of luck to all bidders.
Perfect spec with the 2.8 and manual. Plus a real Euro model. GLWA!
$40,500 bid placed by @Kit94559
I had the opportunity to drive this SL today putting about 50 miles on it to and from Burlingame Motors for leak down and compression tests. I have to say I was struck by how well it behaved on both the highway and the twisty roads to and from my client's house. Negligible steering free play, plenty of power and very taught suspension. The compression and % leak down are well within normal readings. Will post the repair order with results straight away.
$40,000 bid placed by @LPS2
$38,000 bid placed by @LevyOne2
$35,000 bid placed by @Acrossthepond
$30,000 bid placed by @LPS2
$29,000 bid placed by @Kit94559
$25,280 bid placed by @LevyOne2
I happy to offer this unique 1968 280SL 'Pagoda' to the classic Mercedes-Benz community. It's a car I know well and I'm happy to answer any questions that might arise. The car can be inspected at my gallery in Burlingame, CA - just 5 minutes south the San Francisco Airport. Pre-purchase inspections are available locally. The car will be sold as-is with no warranty implied or otherwise. Be sure to look at all the images as I photographed and labeled many key areas that constitute a proper 113 280SL.
$20,000 bid placed by @LPS2