1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda (W113)

• Original UK RHD car with an extensive history file including nearly 40 older MOT Certificates and detailed service records supporting the indicated mileage of 84,754
• With its last owner for almost 24 years, during which time the service history was fastidiously maintained including an engine and gearbox rebuild by renowned specialists
• Classically presented in Midnight Blue with a matching factory hardtop and recently renewed navy blue soft top
• Recent new interior in beige which included a rear seat option being fitted
• Freshly serviced including plugs, leads, points and tappets.
• All the qualities that made Pagodas so desirable in their heyday remain today - chic styling, Teutonic build quality, and predictable handling

The Mercedes-Benz 280SL 'Pagoda'  (W113) was introduced in December 1967 and continued in production through until February 1971 before being replaced by its successor, the entirely new and substantially heavier R107 350SL. Over the years, the W113 had quietly evolved from a nimble 'sports car' into a comfortable 'Grand Tourer' and was usually equipped with four-speed automatic transmission and air conditioning. The final evolution of the Pagoda was the 280SL, launched in November 1967 with a host of technical improvements, and is now seen as the most refined iteration of the W113 Series with its robust new seven-bearing, 2778cc, M130 engine developing 170bhp and perfectly suiting the automatic transmission. By the time production ceased in March 1971, some 23,885 had been made making the 280SL the most popular of all W113 variants.

The fabulous 280SL on offer here is an original, UK-supplied right-hand drive car elegantly presented in Midnight Blue with a matching factory hardtop and recently renewed Navy Blue soft top. The interior has recently been superbly retrimmed in Cream leather with Light Biscuit carpets piped in cream and, unusually, it's been fitted with a rear seat (California-style) where the parcel shelf was.

First registered in 1968, it has been enjoyed by just three owners prior to our vendor who acquired the Mercedes in 1998 and during those 23 years has fastidiously maintained it including an engine and gearbox rebuild by well-regarded specialists. The current indicated mileage of 84,574 is supported by detailed service records and nearly 40 older MOT Certificates. We understand that it's recently been serviced including plugs, leads, points and tappets. The Cherished Registration number 86 BPO will remain on the car.

With decent performance and excellent brakes, these cars are totally happy in modern traffic making them a perfectly usable Classic in the true sense of the word. The 280SL has never gone out of fashion but interest - and values - have never been stronger than they are today.