1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda

There is no doubt that the Mercedes-Benz 280SL "Pagoda" is a handsome car, especially when finished in a delightful colour combination like this with Ivory coachwork, a contrasting Blue Hard Top and a lovely Blue interior. The instruments and dials throughout the cabin all appear in first class order, as are the brand new carpets, seatbelts and belt clasps.

The engine bay is authentic and clearly well preserved, but not unnecessarily restored. Working parts carry a reassuring tinge of grease and there's little sign of the car having been detailed in a bid to deceive. It works as it should and looks as it should; the perfect recipe.

No fewer than 18 stamps adorn the service book traceing this car's history from 1968 and suggesting, a believed genuine, total mileage of fewer than 55,000. 10/10/1968, Delivery Check12/03/1969, 2,14815/01/1970, 6,38311/05/1970, 9,74215/09/1970, 12,95829/12/1970, 15,83305/03/1971, 17,24305/10/1971, 22,11212/09/1972, 24,41303/12/1973, 27,12623/03/1983, 38,83008/04/1992, 44,26804/05/1993, 44,46816/09/1994, 45,16718/06/2003, 51,29726/10/2005, 51,73621/08/2009, 53,39716/05/2015, 54,911This little 280SL presents exceptionally well, perhaps better than many restored cars we see. The boot floor is the best this scribe has seen, which for an unrestored car speaks volumes about the care and dedication that this one has enjoyed. The original wings have, apparently had some paint in the last few years, but this has been done so well that I confess it needed to be pointed out to me. The colour combination is timeless and stylish, and the overall feeling from the car is one of deep honesty and charm. The soft-top roof is nearly new and fits snugly, the hard-top, though unrestored is in very good order too. Furthermore, this Pagoda is shod with four new Vredestein Classic Tyres, as is the boot mounted spare.We're pleased that this car is accompanied by a full complement of tools, handbooks, the service book, a Motorola owner's manual to operate the dash-mounted radio, and other sundry invoices.

Not to be mistaken with the ordinary, this is a fine car with a new MOT to May 2016.