1970 | Mercedes-Benz 280 SL

This car is quite simply the most remarkable SL we’ve encountered in three decades as a classic car dealer.

In August 2005, a West Yorkshire businessman and his wife took their Mercedes SL on the Friendship Rally from London to Sydney Australia. The three month, 17,220 mile adventure took them to Australia via Iran, Pakistan, China, Singapore, Darwin. On arrival, they were t-boned by a newly qualified Sydney driver and that first SL car was a total loss.




As result this 280SL was purchased and prepared for the next adventure in 2008, the Panama to Alaska Friendship Rally. 11,126 miles over two months via Costa Rica, Mexico, Sedona, Salt Lake City, Dawson City, Fairbanks, Anchorage. A bear was pictured licking the headlamps of the SL during that trip!




Next came the Rally Med in 2010. 11,937 miles taking in Tangier, Marrakech, Fes, Granada, Palermo, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Istanbul, Dubrovnik, Reims.




Then the magnificent ‘La Gira Andina', The Rally of the Andes in 2012. Another marathon trip of 9,833 miles visiting Cartagena, Bogotá, Quito, Nasca, Cusco, Potosi, Uyuni, Atacama, Bariloche, Torres del Paine, and Ushuaia.




Most recently came the 2016 Pan – American Rally from Los Angeles to Boston. Another 10,333 miles through twenty-six States via Las Vegas, Yosemite, San Francisco, Seattle, Whitefish, Utah, Santa Fee, Colorado Springs, Kansas City, New Orleans, Tupelo, Natchez Trace Parkway, Nashville, Williamsburg, Vermont and Boston. The adventures and sights of these tours in a well-prepared, totally reliable classic Mercedes-Banz were described by the owner as ‘a privilege'. The car was prepared for these trips by Roger Edwards Motors, globally renowned Mercedes-Benz SL Specialists since 1978. The late Roger Edwards and his son are responsible for the supreme reliability of this SL and the condition of the car is a testament to their work. Over nineteen years of ownership, they have continued to care for this remarkable car. A number of modifications were carried out to make the car capable of these trips which would test the endurance of even the best prepared cars. These include locking compartments, a hidden valuables safe, adjustable air-bag assisted suspension, full body harnesses and ultra-comfortable Recaro seats. Invoices on file total almost £60,000 throughout ownership.








The well kept original leather seats are with the car and there is a quantity of very valuable spares included. There are no less than three history files with the car, plus photos, video and we are told a book was written about the original adventure. The condition of the car, both mechanically and cosmetically, is so good that it is hard to believe the car has had such an amazing life. This really is a totally unique car, ready for a quieter life as a cherished classic Pagoda-top SL or to perhaps to embark on its next trip across the earth with a new motoring adventurer.