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1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Photo Details
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1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
$105,000.00
| Interior Color: Black | | | Exterior Color: Medium Red | | | Transmission: Manual | | | Condition: Excellent | |
| Description: 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 a wonderfully unmolested example that has exceptional integrity. The car was originally finished in medium red with black interior and soft top, the color combination it wears today. The original options included the following: 401 single seats 416 hardtop mounted 461 instruments and mileage reading in english 491 us version 503 outside rear view mirror left 515 becker am/fm radio europa 524 paint coat preservation 591 tinted windshield, darker on top 600 trim strips on hardtop 641 whitewall tires 669 spare wheel 835 coco mats sold new on 23 august 1968 to stanley schroeder, who was stationed at the point mugu naval air station near oxnard, california, the car was regularly serviced at turnbull & gamble in oxnard, california until 1970, from which point on, it was serviced at either smythe european in san jose, california, or hans nissen in santa clara, california. Schroeder sold the car on 19 august 1972 to steve wilson of soquel, california, who eventually registered the car to his business, western research industries, inc. Of capitola, california on 24 july 1978. He maintained the car regularly, and in 1984, the engine was replaced at stahl motors, the Mercedes-Benz dealer in monterey, california. The original engine is included with the car. He retained the car until giving it to his niece in the early 1990s, who took it with her when she moved to western massachusetts in 1994. She drove the car sparingly, covering just 300 miles between 1994 and 2010, and the car was recommissioned in 2010. In july of 2013, the car received a bare metal repaint in its original color of db576 medium red, and was found to be extremely undisturbed, with original sheetmetal in place and in excellent condition. The car never received any undercoating and is in excellent undisturbed condition underneath as well. The car is in excellent cosmetic condition. Aside from the paint and some of the weather stripping, the car is extremely original. The body is wonderfully straight and solid, retaining the headlight notches and factory spot welds. The fit and panel operation is exemplary throughout and the paintwork was done to high standards and remains excellent. The chrome appears to be original and is very nice considering this, but does have some light pitting. The glass appears to be original throughout and there are some chips in the windscreen. The top was recently replaced with correct haartz canvas. The car retains its early 280SL features such as clear front indicator lenses, red rear lenses, and lack of headrests. The interior is in excellent original condition. The mb tex upholstery has never been renewed and has survived very well, with light wear only. The steering wheel is like new, and the car has period kangol 3-point safety belts. The dashboard is excellent, both the upholstered and painted areas. The chrome trim, switches, instruments, and controls are also in excellent original condition, as are the door panels. The original becker radio is in place and still works. The wood is in very good condition, with some aging but no major issues, while the carpets, also original, are showing some wear on the floor mat sections while the remaining carpets are in very good condition. The engine compartment is tidy and correct throughout, but not detailed to show standards. There are plenty of signs of maintenance, and the original heat pad is present and has survived well, particularly given how they tend to deteriorate in these cars. The hood is stamped with the last four digits of the car's body number, 3417. The trunk presents nicely as well, with correct rubber mat and spare tire cover. The paint is in excellent condition and the trunk floor is structurally and cosmetically excellent. The car runs and drives well. It starts easily and the combination of the motor and the gearing provides impressively quick acceleration, a marked difference over an automatic example. The gearbox shifts well and the clutch is easy to modulate and smooth in its operation. The brakes are impressively effective for a car of any age, but particularly remarkable for a car from 1960s. The chassis and suspension provide sure-footed handling and the car is genuinely engaging to drive. The car is extremely complete, with coco mats, service records back to the late 1970s, jack, lug wrench, tool roll, tools, and one of the most complete books sets we have ever encountered with a w113. It includes the following items: original books pouch owner's manual stamped service book, 15 stamps from the late 1960s and early 1970s mercedes service directory for africa, asia, australia, and america parts book genuine mercedes detailing supplies brochure original build cards original becker guarantee card becker dealer directory hirschmann antenna wipe bosch dealer directory original mercedes full model line brochures, small and large technical data for passenger cars book this is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a wonderfully undisturbed 280SL that was in the same family for nearly forty years. Structurally outstanding and fundamentally unrestored, the car is exceptionally honest and well-documented. Additionally, it is a comparatively rare manual transmission example, and drives extremely well and is highly complete. Consequently, this would be an extremely difficult car to duplicate, and will appeal to the sophisticated enthusiast or collector seeking a special 280SL that emphasizes originality. Price: $105,000 |
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