1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda

Model History

In the mid to late 1950’s Mercedes-Benz found itself in an odd position. It had created an icon with the 300SL in 1954 and the more affordable and just as pretty baby brother in the 190SL. However, the 190SL’s lacklustre performance coupled with the very high price of the 300SL meant there was a huge gulf of potential clients in the middle who wanted performance and looks but not the cutting-edge supercar price tag.

Fritz Nallinger, the Technical Director for Mercedes-Benz, is thought to have become aware of this need for a new model as early as 1955. Initially work began on an uprated 190SL using a 2.2 Litre fuel injection engine, dubbed the 220SL but technical difficulties kept delaying progress. Eventually, with the launch of the cutting edge W112 S-Class, the decision was made to create a whole new design based on a shortened W111 “Fintail” chassis and using technology from the new S-Class.

The emphasis on safety was game changing, the W113 was the first sports car to incorporate a rigid passenger cell as well as designated crumple zones. Even the interior had soft edges and rounded corners to minimise injuries inside the car in the event of a crash.

The 230SL was a hit with nearly 20,000 produced until 1966. It was at this point that the engine was upgraded to 2.5 litres along with a suite of other upgrades, including a move from four main bearings on the crankshaft to seven. Although overall power didn’t change there was a noticeable increase in torque.

The 250SL was made for just a year at which point the final iteration of the W113, and arguably the most successful, with nearly 24,000 made, arrived in the form of the 280SL. Now sporting a 2.8 Litre engine, power was up to 170bhp and all engines were bench tested before installation to give a guarantee of power. Like the previous iterations, the 280SL was offered with both manual and automatic transmission, the most popular of which was the 4-speed automatic.

The Pagoda, as it had been nicknamed due to the concave roof of the optional hardtop, was incredibly popular and as with all great cars of their time, was the choice of the rich and famous, including Sophia Loren, Grace Kelly and John Lennon.

 Car Offered

The Mercedes-Benz 280SL for sale at Wrightson Automotive is a rare, UK delivered, right hand drive example. According to the original bill of sale that is still in the history file, this particular example was delivered new via Alan Day Limited in March 1968. Specification was as follows:

Metallic Blue (387) with Parchment interior, Automatic transmission, Power steering, Chrome roof strips, seat belts and third seat. The latter of which is not to be confused with the California Coupé that had no soft top in place of a bench rear seat.

Today the car presents in the same specification, however, at some point the third seat has been replaced with the more popular “shelf” finish behind the two front seats. The original invoice totals £4,225 GBP which may not seem like much but to put it into perspective it is over twice the price of a new E-Type Roadster, £300 more than a 911 S and the same price as an Aston Martin DB6 Volante! 

The first owner was a Mr. J.B. Mackay of Wishaw, Lanarkshire. He owned the car until 1976 when it was bought by a Mrs. Joanna Falkenstein from Harborne, Birmingham.  A letter dated the 10th April 1979 from Mrs. Falkenstein confirms the sale of the car to a Mr. McLaughlin of Walsall for the sum of £8,500 GBP with a mileage of just under 40,000 miles. It was registered as LHM 7 at this point and would remain on this number plate until 2010. In March 1983 a Mr. Philip Beddon, also of Walsall, bought the car and would keep it until March 1985 at which point he would sell the car to Steven and Valerie Tromans, again, of Walsall, for the princely sum of £8,000 GBP. 

So far the Mercedes-Benz has doubled in value in 10 years and held it rather well, which would demonstrate the popularity and desirability of this model at the time. Before selling the car, Mr. Beddon had the AA do a technical inspection on the car, the handwritten copy of which is still on file with the car. The report declares that this is one of very few examples that would have remained in such outstanding condition, although it does cite some improvements if mechanical reliability is to be anticipated.

Steven and Valerie Tromans would keep the Mercedes until 2003 and during their ownership the car was maintained by main dealers, Carols of Walsall who had looked after the car since 1979. After 18 years of happy motoring, the decision was made to sell the car and with just 49,000 miles from new on the clock, the Mercedes-Benz 280SL went to a new home, the home of Mr. Stephen Ashworth. The next known owner is a Mr. Jordan Barry who acquired the Mercedes in 2010 but there was an owner before him who is not documented in the history file, which is a shame but we are looking into it so as to complete the ownership history of this fabulous motor car. 

It may well have been this mysterious owner who was responsible for taking this car to Paul and Gavin at Roger Edwards Motors Limited. Anyone in the world of classic Mercedes-Benz will tell you that these guys are simply the best when it comes to looking after any old Merc but the W113 was the car around which they really built their unrivalled reputation. They have looked after the car since 2008 including a full engine rebuild in July 2011 at 64,000 miles. There is an impressive run of invoices in this car’s lifetime, which we have documented, along with the old MOT certificates, into a detail spreadsheet recording the dates, mileage, work and costs of everything covered in the comprehensive history file. Interested parties should get in touch if they want a copy of this document.

Today the Mercedes-Benz 280SL for sale at Wrightson Automotive has covered 77,000 miles from new and is in superb condition all round. The most recent service was in March of this year and despite not needing one by law, the car has a valid MOT until March 2024.

Accompanying the car is the original books including the original service book with stamps from 1979. What appears to be the original tools, wheel chock, ack and the original factory hardtop.

As a UK RHD delivered example still in its extremely desirable and original colour combination, as well as coming with a comprehensive history file, this beautiful Mercedes-Benz 280SL is a fabulous opportunity for any discerning classic car enthusiast to be the next chapter in this lovely motor cars narrative.

SOLD