Fantasy Junction

Description

1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
s/n 11304412022405, engine no. 130-98312014890
Red with Tan Leather Interior

Representing Mercedes-Benz’s trend towards producing more usable and practical sports cars, the 230/250/280SL line was meant to replace both the 190SL and the illustrious 300SL. The car was a comfortable two-seater that was to be neither too big nor too expensive, and exhibited excellent roadholding thanks to the innovative and sophisticated rear suspension design. Built to Mercedes’ usually high standards and employing excellent visibility, the cars were popular and sold well. The cars were continuously developed, with the 280SL being the ultimate version of the car, with its larger more powerful engine and all around disc brakes.

This particular car is reported to have three owners from new, having been owned by its second owner for approximately thirty years. In his care, the color of the car was changed from its original Anthracite to the red it now wears. In recent years, it has been part of a high caliber collection along with a 4-speed 280SL and several other Mercedes. It has received extensive maintenance and servicing including valve adjustment, new water pump, engine compartment detailing, transmission cooler hoses, new fuel filter, new thermostat, housing, and gasket, partial new exhaust, rebuilt front brake calipers, new soft brake lines all around, regreased wheel bearings, new driveshaft center support and bearing, new tie rod ends and steering damper, alignment, new motor mounts and subframe mounts, new shifter bushings, rebuilt wiper motor, new top cable, and much other work.

This is an attractively restored example with an excellent body that also runs and drives very well. The body is solid and straight with very nice gaps. The nose of the car, which often shows evidence of collisions on these W113s, is intact with factory spot welds and the correct layering of the inner fender panels where they meet the grille surround. Additionally, the inner fenders, which tend to trap moisture and can rust, appear unadulterated. The paintwork was done to very good standards and is quite glossy with no major wear or damage. The chrome has no major pitting or deterioration, with some minor surface scratches. The lights and lenses are in good shape, as is the glass.

The interior makes a strong impression with beautifully redone leather seats, which employ the correct pleating and perforation patterns. The carpets also appear to be recently redone and are of the correct material. The door panels appear original and are excellent considering this. The wood on top of the dashboard is showing its age. The dash pad is nice as are the switches and instruments, which are crisp and cosmetically excellent. The heater sliders are missing and the painted portion of the dashboard remains in the car’s original color of anthracite. The steering wheel is in excellent and the top is tan canvas and in very good shape.

The engine compartment is nicely detailed and shows obvious signs of recent maintenance and cosmetic restoration including much replating. The firewall pad is in good shape and the general appearance is correct, with original finishes, correct VDO windscreen washer reservoir. The trunk is also correct in appearance with spare tire cover and rubber trunk mat, both of which are in excellent shape. The trunk floor beneath the mat is excellent. The undercarriage is solid, with no structural issues and no evidence of major repairs.

The car runs and drives well. The engine runs properly with good power and the transmission shifts crisply, being one of the better 280SL transmissions we have encountered in recent memory. The chassis and suspension are solid, coherent, and reassuring. The brakes work well and the overall experience is effortless and fuss-free.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire an excellent driver level 280SL that is perfect to regularly drive and enjoy. It presents strongly from a cosmetic standpoint and is in great structural shape as well. It is a great running and driving example and is an imminently usable classic.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608