1971 | Mercedes-Benz 280 SL

We are delighted to offer this outstanding Mercedes Benz 280SL Pagoda onto the market, a car with a history of US long distance touring, and in more recent years an extensive European touring pedigree across the Algarve, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Poland. The car was manufactured in December 1970, an incredibly late model as production ceased in February 1971. HGU 908J comes with a comprehensive history file with records dating back to when the car was just a few years old. A comprehensive US history details maintenance and restoration work since the 1970’s with just three owners until it came to the UK in 2006. From 2008 to 2016 the Pagoda spent eight years with one of our clients splitting his time between the UK and Algarve. In eight years, the SL covered in the region of 6000 faultless miles, the majority of which were touring in the lovely Algarve climate. In early 2017 we sold the Mercedes Benz to a customer in Aberdeen who spent the majority of time between Scotland and Poland. We delivered the car to Kintore, Aberdeenshire and soon after delivery the Pagoda was driven to Poland, attending the International Pagoda rally in Topacz, Wroclaw where the owner met Mercedes Benz Automotive designer Paul Bracq who signed the glove box cover! Since 2017, the Pagoda has covered an impressive 16,000 miles of European touring and has attended many rallies and events, and toured through many countries as it returned regularly to Scotland. After its first trip to Poland, the Pagoda returned via Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), Trier (Germany) and Brussels (Belgium). The car later attended a classic car meet in Poznan ahead of a Pagoda rally in Southern Poland and Czech Republic. On completion of the rally the last owner spent three days travelling across Germany visiting Dresden, Marburg and Aachen. Other events included the Austrian Pagoda rally, returning through Germany and stopping at Stuttgart and Bonn and over the years several visits to places such as Hildesheim and Potsdam on trips to Poland. Needless to say, the last owner found the car fantastic to drive and had some fantastic adventures with the car, including Scotland’s NC500 circuit.

After coming to the UK in 2006, the Pagoda was sold by one of the UK's leading Pagoda suppliers who carried out a program of work in 2008. This included stripping the interior and re-upholstering it, overhauling the air-conditioning system, rectifying oil leaks and fully servicing the car. Whilst out in Portugal in 2009, they also supplied new gearbox shift link bushes, gear selector spring bushes and a new shift rod and back bush. Maintenance work in 2013 included a new propshaft bearing and from 2013 to 2016 the Pagoda just required servicing. Prior to us supplying the car, it was fully serviced and over the 16000 miles has been meticulously maintained with records detailing all expenditure with the large, comprehensive history file. The car has once again come to us in beautiful order and is absolutely perfect for on the Continent open or closed touring. This is a properly owned and maintained example, and event prior to coming over from the US, had just three careful owners who have been meticulous in keeping the car in beautiful condition. Not only has the cars history been well documented, it has been kept in its original colour from new and has been used over in the US for long distance touring. Photographs in the file show the Pagoda with proud owner at the 2004 Cooper State 1000 rally, a four day event with 80 qualifying classics with driver and co-driver. The last US owner bought the Mercedes in 1992 and was based in Phoenix Arizona so we can say we confidence it has been kept in a dry state.

Going further back into the history of this SL we know it was sold to its second owner in 1976 who covered 55000 miles in the car up to selling it in 1992. During his long term ownership major work included a new clutch and pressure plate, top end engine rebuild and re-conditioned cylinder head, new timing chain, new rear axle seals, new exhaust system, new voltage regulator and new Bilstein shock absorbers. Work from the 1990's with its third owner, prior coming to the UK included all new brake hoses, rebuilt master cylinder, new suspension spring, new suspension bushes, new choke thermostat, new ignition items, new coolant hoses, new fuel pump hose, new wheel bearings, front and rear calipers and servicing of the injector pump. There are also comprehensive records of the car being stripped down and treated to new seals, gaskets and plastic trims. This programme of work also included re-chroming and new body mouldings and trims. The car was beautifully painted and has an exceptional, straight bodyshell. This is a car with a rich history of being kept up too with no expense spared.

We could talk even further about the extensive records with the car, but importantly we can say that the car has arrived with us in truly beautiful condition. The paintwork is first class, the body is stunning, the factory hard top and soft top are in lovely order and the re-trimmed upholstery is fabulous. The boot compartment is sharp, clean and just as the rest of the car; the engine bay is also very impressive with a light coating of wax to protect the Silver paintwork. The chrome is gleaming and on the road this Pagoda does not disappoint. The engine performs superbly with excellent oil pressure, the four speed manual gearbox feels tight and changes up and down smoothly, the steering is light, the brakes sharp and the general handling of the car simply first class.

This is a wonderful machine with good history, low ownership and it presents in stunning condition throughout. This is a car for the discerning buyer; it's an ideal collector's car that can be extensively toured with confidence, just as the last two owners have.