1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL - Gorgeous, Well Documented, Extremely Original W113

Description for Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 1970

Vehicle Highlights

Extremely Original ExampleTwo OwnersWell Documented from NewRare and Desirable Original ColorsOriginal Numbers Matching EngineOriginal Fenders with Factory Spot Welds IntactNumbers Matching Hood, Soft Top Cover and Hard TopEntirely Solid Original UndercarriageRecent Extensive Mechanical Service

Offered for sale is a gorgeous, entirely straight and solid, well documented, two owner 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL finished in factory correct Blue Green (DB 268) over its original Cognac MB-Tex interior. An extremely original example, the car retains its original numbers matching engine and transmission, original fenders (with factory spot welds), numbers matching hood, soft top cover and hardtop and original undercarriage. The car was sold new by HBL Porsche Audi Mercedes in Fairfax, VA on October 17th, 1970 to a Mr. Peter Brauning, also of Fairfax. The window sticker (included) was for $8,657.50 and he was given a $2,657.50 allowance on the 1966 Corvette he traded in at the purchase.

Mr. Brauning would own the car until 1976, at which point it was sold to Captain Thomas Markham, M.D., the Commanding Officer of the Navy Environmental Health Center. His position required him to split his time between offices in Norfolk, VA and Cincinnati, OH and service receipts show that the car traveled with him until 1979, when he was appointed the Chief Physician at the U.S. Dept. of Labor. He and the car would remain in the Washington, D.C. area until the mid-1980s, when he transitioned to the private sector back in the Cincinnati, OH area. The car has remained there in Dr. Markham’s care since, always garaged and well maintained, used less and less over the years, primarily as a fair weather weekend driver. While the service receipt isn’t included, Dr. Markham reported that the engine was rebuilt at some point around 1990, but with such light usage, he estimated the mileage on the rebuild at less than 15,000 miles.

In the early 2000’s he felt as though the car’s original Blue Green finish was starting to look a little tired, so he had it repainted in its factory original color. The car was put into storage a few short years later in 2006 and, while it was pulled out and started periodically to remain limber enough to drive, it had been effectively sitting stationary for the preceding decade when we found and acquired the car earlier this year.

Upon receiving it, we had our in-house German master mechanic go through the car completely, diagnosing and addressing any issues he found. As such, the car has received service including (but not limited to) a complete brake rebuild (new lines, brake booster, master and wheel cylinders, caliper rebuild and new rotors & pads), new fuel lines, replaced the exhaust system, a full front suspension rebuild (new shocks, new bushings and pins, new front sub-frame mounts, new motor mounts, new tie rods/drag link) and a basic engine service (new spark plugs, cold start adjust, fluids, filters, etc.). As a result of these efforts we’re happy to report that the original engine now starts effortlessly, idling consistently and pulling strongly and smoothly though each of the automatic transmission’s gears. The car drives and brakes straight and true and the ride quality is entirely comfortable, whether tooling around town, winding through the canyons or bombing down the highway.

The factory correct livery is perhaps one of the most appealing we’ve ever seen on a W113, the Blue Green finish perfectly offset by the original Cognac interior. The paint remains in great condition, marred only by the most negligible of imperfections, none of which are significant enough to appear in the pictures. The finish cloaks an entirely straight original body (including factory spot welded fenders and numbers matching hood, soft top cover and hardtop) and the panel fits and gaps are all consistent and correct. The car’s interior is also in great original shape, showing only the wear typical of well-cared-for Pagodas. The seats, carpets, dash and interior panels show minimal patina and the car retains its original hardtop, steering wheel, clock and functional Becker radio. The car also comes with its original owners manual and assorted books and pamphlets, the original data cards, the original window sticker from HBL Inc., as well as the original purchase invoice, an envelope of old registration cards and a thick binder full of service records and receipts dating back to new.

The soft top has been freshly replaced in correct black German canvas and the car rides on its original steel wheels with color matched hubs, wrapped in white wall tires with plenty of remaining tread. The car’s trunk is clean and free of rust with a nearly new trunk mat and its original spare tire, cover and changing tools. Never left to the elements, the car’s undercarriage is original and entirely solid. We professionally repaired a very small corrosion point behind the passenger side front wheel well with sheet metal prior to sealing it, but aside from that correct repair the undercarriage has never had any rust issues.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a gorgeous 280SL with all of the right things going for it: numbers matching original engine, accident-free original body (with original fenders, hood, soft top cover and hardtop), entirely solid original undercarriage, beautiful factory correct DB 268 Blue Green paint, original Cognac interior and a two owner history with tons of documentation. While not a restored show car, this is an incredibly honest original example, and one that will be sure to provide its next owner with enjoyment, investment potential and pride of ownership, just as it's done for the last 46 years.