1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL (W113) 'California Coupe' with Hardtop

• A right-hand drive, automatic 'California Coupe' Pagoda in remarkably original condition; first registered in the UK October 1970
• The 280SL’s 2778cc, M130 seven-bearing, straight-six engine offered around 170bhp
• Showing just over 12,000 miles and in a wholly commensurate condition and a beautiful colour combination
• On offer from a private collection, fully recommissioned and UK-registered
• Elegant and eminently usable, Pagodas continue to remain in fashion, and this 280SL looks and drives as it should

The Mercedes-Benz SL 'Pagoda' was introduced in mid-1963 in 2.3-litre form and continued in production until February 1971 before being replaced by its successor, the entirely new and substantially heavier, R107 350SL. Over the years, the W113 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. The robust new seven-bearing, 2778cc, M130 engine developed 170bhp and perfectly suited the automatic transmission. New one-piece wheel trims distinguished the last W113 but alloys were now an option. 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 car presented here is a 1970 RHD (first registered in the UK October 1970) 280SL automatic 'California Coupé', a 2+2 version (first introduced on the 250SL) that came with a rear bench seat occupying the space hitherto reserved for the convertible top. A removable hardtop provided the weather protection. Showing just over 12,000 miles and presenting in wholly commensurate condition, this car has been part of a dry-stored collection in Japan, where these cars are highly sought-after, and is now fully recommissioned and UK-registered. The colour combination suits the car extremely well and we are informed it drives and performs as well as any low-mileage 280 should.

With limited history, but some Japanese paperwork showing 9,200 miles in 2015 and 10,700 miles in 2017, an Export Certificate, and now a UK logbook, this is one 280SL where its condition is testament to its mileage and closeted history. We welcome any inspection and are able to provide detailed, walk-around videos to substantiate the car’s condition.