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West Coast Classics are proud to present an extremely rare original 59,225 miles example of this 1970 Mercedes 280SL legendary series W113 'Pagoda' roadster with service records and with very desirable original factory options of automatic transmission, power steering, 'Frigiking' air conditioning, leather upholstery, 'Becker' AM/FM radio, bumper guards, tinted glass, black canvas soft top, matching hubcaps and original factory hard top!

Purchased by only third owner on 12/3/2003 with 53K original miles from the car's second owner with original owner's manual and service records! Rarely used since then with only some 6,225 miles driven and garage kept in his Palm Springs, California home. The car has no signs of any accidents with original fenders with all original uninterrupted factory spot welds around the engine bay, front and rear lower body panels and factory correct inner fender notches by the headlamp bezels and its original factory hood (#6236) as confirmed by the cars original data plate/fender tag (see photos below). The car also has no history of any rust with all its original sheet-metal and with the floorboards and trunk with the correct factory indentations. Also the hood, trunk and door gaps and alignments are all as they should be. It is about as fine an unabused example as you could hope to find anywhere.
 
The car was obviously always garaged with only very minor imperfections, if any, noticeable only upon very close inspection. The Dark Red leather interior has all its outstanding original features with beautiful original seats, steering wheel, carpet, uncracked and unblemished wooden dashboard moldings, white bright work and chrome dashboard inserts, wooden center console, beautiful working gauges and levers and boasts its original working radio and clock.

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. 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.

This particular example simply must be seen to be appreciated - the original factory 'Papyrus White' (Code 717) color paint must have been professionally repainted at some point and is simply exquisite along with the cars matching hubcaps. The chrome work is all excellent and the interior is still as stunning as when new with all the gauges and switches and levers all in very good shape, the dashboard virtually perfect and the seats and carpets all in amazingly beautiful condition with all of it's original specifications intact! The Black 'German Canvas' soft top is also in very good shape with no particular signs of wear apart from one very small 'mark' in the center bottom (see photos below) and the matching factory hard top is as new. As previously stated the car has been sitting for some time without much use the last few years and may be in need of some TLC mechanically but it seems to be in good overall driving condition.

The car is well equipped with its original factory 'Frigi-king' air conditioning, factory clock, 'Becker' AM'FM radio, automatic transmission, power steering and two tops. This must be one of the rarest example's available anywhere of this highly collectible and desirable 1970 legendary 280SL roadster with no accidents or rust and only 59K original miles!

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!