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West Coast Classics are proud to present an extremely rare last year example of this 1971 Mercedes 280SL 'Pagoda' roadster with very desirable original factory options of power steering, air conditioning, bumper guards, fog lights, chrome roof bars, black canvas soft top and original factory hard top!

By 1963 the 190SL (Super Light) and the 300SL Roadster were neither Super or Light and the 190SL was simply too heavy to compete with the likes of even the British MG or Triumph and completely underpowered compared to the Austin-Healeys or Jaguars. Mercedes had two choices, either return to the premise of the original 300SL and build another pure sports car or create a new grand touring sports car that would continue the reputation of the SL's as touring cars rather than super racing cars. Mercedes chose the latter with a compromise between the 190 and 300 with the introduction of the W113 platform 230SL which was a two-seat roadster/coupe, introduced at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show and the series was continued through 1971.

Like the Gullwing before it, the 230SL had a distinguishing feature which was its removable hardtop with a distinctive dip in its center to offer tall windows to create a better balanced side view and more headroom for passengers getting in and out while still maintaining a low sporty roofline from the front and rear and which earned the car the nickname 'Pagoda' roof. It also proved an efficient way to remove rainwater and channel it away from the car. Top speed was about 115mph which was better than the 190SL but not in the same class as the 300SL.

All models were equipped with an inline-six cylinder engine with multi-port fuel injection, power disc brakes on all four corners, adjustable bucket seats, radial tires and an electric clock! The hood, trunk lid, door skins and tonneau cover were all made of aluminum to reduce weight. The comparatively short and wide chassis, combined with an excellent suspension, powerful brakes and radial tires gave the W113 superb handling for its time. The styling of the front, with its characteristic upright Bosch 'fishbowl' headlights and simple chrome grille, dominated by the large three-pointed star in the nose panel, paid tribute to the then already legendary 300 SL roadster.

The 280 SL was introduced in December 1967 and continued in production through 23 February 1971, when the W113 was replaced by its successor, the entirely new and substantially heavier R107 350 SL. Over the years, the W113 evolved from a sports car into a comfortable grand tourer and US models were by then usually equipped with the 4-speed automatic transmission and air conditioning. Manual transmission models were much rarer and came with the standard 4-speed or the optional ZF 5-speed, which was ordered only 882 times and thus is a highly sought-after original option today. In Europe, manual transmissions without air conditioning were still the predominant choice.

The main change for the 280SL model in 1967 was an upgrade from the 2,496 cc 250SL engine, which itself had been upgraded from the 2,306cc 230SL, to the 2,778 cc (2.8 L) M130 engine with 180HP which finally gave the W 113 adequate power. The wide track and low body of the 280SL offered exceptional handling noted at the time by numerous car magazines and publications.

In 1968 some 6,930 models were built with 3,290 of these being exported to the U.S. In 1969 8,047 models were built with 4,102 exported to the U.S. and in 1970 some 7,935 were built with 4,992 being exported to the U.S. By 1971, the very last year of production, only 830 cars were built with ony 520 being exported to the U.S. making these the rarest and most desriable amongst most enthusiasts and collectors.

This particular example simply must be seen to be appreciated - it is a beautiful rust free older restoration that the car's previous owners spent many thousands of dollars completing and which was reportedly recently acquired from an Arizona collector before being sold to us. It has its original engine and correct factory 'Signal Red' (Code 568) color paint with correct Black (Code 040) factory optional hardtop and matching hubcaps. It reportedly had a complete engine rebuild including new pistons, rings, gaskets, timing chain and a complete valve job in 9/2008 at a cost of $4,790. The transmission has also been removed and rebuilt and the original BEHR air conditioning unit was removed and replaced with a similar under dash unit that now blows cold air. The car has new and correct specification Black MB-Tex seat covers and new German carpet and new Coco mats. The car also has new engine mounts, new tires and a new soft top. Please note that the original 'Becker' radio was professionally removed with no cuts to the dash and replaced with an after market CD player.

The chrome work is all excellent and the interior is quite stunning with all the gauges and switches and levers all in very good shape, the dashboard virtually perfect and the seats and carpets all have obviously been recently and beautifully restored with it's original specifications intact! The correct black soft top is still in virtually new condition and the correct factory black hard top is also in great shape. The car seems to have a mostly completely rust free history with its original floors and inner and outer sills. Please note that there are signs that the trunk floor has been replaced at some point with a correct trunk pan which is typical as the trunks in these cars tend to leak water over the years. The car also boasts its original matching number '6360' hood.

The car is well equipped with air conditioning, factory clock, power steering and two tops. The rebuilt engine cranks easily and drives beautifully. It runs cool, has great oil pressure and does not smoke or leak oil. The transmission shifts great through all the gears and the brakes and suspension are superb. The AC blows cold and the original electric clock works. The exhaust system sounds great and the car hadles beautifully on almost new tires. All the electrics, the lights and the gauges work properly. The trunk has its original spare wheel with correct cover and jack but please note no factory tools.

This must be one of the finest and extremely rare examples, 1 of only 520 U.S exports out of a total production of only 830 built in 1971, available anywhere of this highly collectible last year of the legendary 280SL Pagoda roadster in rare turn-key ready daily appreciating, daily driving and daily head-turning condition!

For further information contact West Coast Classics through EBay or on 310-399-3990 during regular California business hours.

WEST COAST CLASSICS, LLC Please note: TERMS OF SALE: YOU BID TO OWN: This vehicle is being sold by West Coast Classics, LLC; we are licensed and bonded vehicle dealers in the state of California. Please note that all vehicles sold to be registered in the state of California will be charged California sales tax on the final EBay sales price and any required DMV licensing, smog, documentation and registration fees. If leaving the state or country, the vehicle must be picked up by a professional licensed auto transportation company that can provide a bill of lading, otherwise California sales tax will be charged. (All licensed auto transport companies provide these). Any out of the state and international buyers will upon completion of the sale be sent by FEDEX the title and bill of sale for the vehicle and will be personally responsible for any sales tax and licensing and registration fees in their home state or province. All bids are legal and binding contracts to purchase the vehicle and by bidding you are hereby entering into a legal and binding contract to purchase the vehicle and agreeing to accept and abide by these terms of sale: Mechanical inspections welcomed; if you wish to inspect the vehicle you must do so before bidding; upon request seller will be happy to deliver the vehicle to a local Santa Monica mechanic of your choice for your prepaid inspection before the reserve price is met. Once the reserve price is met this vehicle is to be considered sold in �as is, where is� condition to the highest bidder with no guaranties or warranties implied or given. Please have all funds available before bidding as a $1,000 non-refundable deposit is required from the winning bidder within 48 hours (2 business days) of auction end; an immediate $500 non-refundable deposit is required through Ebay�s Paypal service to end the auction early if the "Buy it now" option is exercised and the balance in full is due within ten days of auction end in any case. In the case these terms of sale are not met seller reserves the right to either re-list the vehicle or offer the vehicle to the next highest bidder. Seller reserves the right to end the auction at any time before the reserve price is met. Payment by bank wire transfer, cash in person or cashiers check only. All inspections must be done prior to bidding. The non-refundable deposit in the amount of $1,000 is due within 48 hours of the auction end via bank wire transfer or cashier's check via overnight mail. The full payment must be completed within 10 days regardless of a pick up date. In the event the deposit is not posted within the required period of time, the vehicle will be offered for sale to the next subsequent high bidder or relisted for sale. This is to be considered an absolute sale and the buyer is required to comply with all of my conditions in these terms of sale. By placing a bid and winning the auction you hereby agree to abide completely with these terms of sale and the terms of sale are to be considered a legal and binding purchase agreement. Once again, please note that there are no inspections to be made after the auction ends - please be sure to complete any inspection before bidding. The Seller reserves the right to cancel any bid at any time and to end the auction early for any reason. The seller makes every effort to describe in detail any known flaws in the vehicle and includes many detailed and recent photos of the vehicle. The mileage on the vehicle is correct at the time of listing but obviously subject to minor changes necessary to complete delivery of the vehicle to the buyer and test drives etc. Please note that all used vehicles, especially classic and older vehicles, are by definition unique and complex and their condition, for better or worse, must always be considered a subjective opinion to each individual. Therefore the seller shall not be responsible for the absolute correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no guaranties or warranty in connection therewith. Vehicles are sold with one master key unless otherwise stated. Vehicles are sold with handbooks and manuals only if stated in the advertisement. No allowance will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value of the vehicle before bidding and to bid based upon that judgment solely. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs whatsoever regardless of any oral or written statements about the vehicle. Good luck and thanks for your interest!