1968 Mercedes Benz 280SL Pagoda Rare 4-speed. Long term ownership, Great Car!

Description for Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 1968

Email: marc@motorcartrader. com Phone: 980. 216. 8550 1968 Mercedes Benz 280SL Convertible Please Read All The Mercedes Benz  230SL or W113 model was introduced in 1963 at the Geneva Auto Show. This car was meant to replace the legendary 300SL and the 190SL with its distinctive design by Paul Bracq. The concave roof almost instantly earned the nickname of “Pagoda. ” The car was ahead of its time in many ways. It set new standards in safety engineering through the industry changing efforts of Bela Barenyi.   It was not only the first SL available with an automatic. but also the engine hood. trunk lid. door skins and tonneau cover were all made of aluminum to reduce weight.   The Mercedes 280SL introduced in 1967 was outwardly similar to the 230SL and 250SL. but overall a much better car. MotorCarTrader. com is very excited to offer this beautiful 1968 Mercedes Benz 280SL Pagoda Convertible.   We purchased this early 280SL from the gentleman who has owned this car since 1978. It was a good original car and needed some help to bring it back. This car was originally delivered to Italy when it was new. but spent most of time during the previous owner’s time in the Pacific Northwest USA. In addition to regular maintenance the previous owner had the engine rebuilt. upholstery redone and had the car painted. When we purchased the car it was rarely driven over the past 10 years. Our goal was to bring this car back its former glory to make it a wonderful driver. This Mercedes 280SL has the rare 4-speed transmission and was a European delivery car. so has a bit more power than others.   The 4-speed totally changes the personality of this car and with a great engine. makes this car a blast to drive. Here more details and more information on overall condition and some of the work which we recently completed:     Paint/Chrome: The original color on this car was white with black MB Tex interior according to the original Mercedes data card. The paint on this car was nice but needed be brought back as it has been mostly sitting for a long time in a dry climate.  As we were told the car was painted within the last 10 years. so we knew we could bring it back. The entire car was carefully wet sanded. buffed and polished. The paint is excellent and really came out great.   It has a mirror like finish. All the chrome and stainless was polished and all came out beautiful. There is a small ding on the passenger side rear bumper.  The body panels all fit well and shut nicely. Interior: The seats and carpet were replaced by the previous owner and were also nice. but needed to be cleaned. The entire was professionally cleaned and the carpets were all steam cleaned. A new  multi-function lever was installed. as the old one was dried out. In addition. the heater levers were falling apart as they were also dried out. We replaced the levers and colored lenses behind them. The interior lights were inoperable. so these were repaired as well. It had an older CD player. so we purchased an original proper (working) Becker radio and installed. The shifter boot. shifter lever and knob were also incorrect. so these were replaced as well.   All gauge chrome and interior chrome was polished and cleaned. The glass covers for the gauges were all taken off and cleaned as well. Furthermore. the interior wood (center console box. wood trim in dash) was cleaned and treated. The convertible top boot vinyl was replaced.  All gauges. switches and lights were gone through for proper operation and repaired as needed.  The dash is in the beautiful condition with no cracks or imperfections and the dashboard is the proper color. The speedometer is in km. Top: The soft top that was on the car was vinyl. We purchased a brand new Black German Canvas top to be installed. We removed the old top. cleaned the original top frame and installed the new Canvas soft top. We had the exterior of the original hardtop wet sanded. polished and buffed. We cleaned and treated the wood trim in the interior of the top. Also cleaned and detailed the headliner and interior of the hardtop. The headliner is in excellent condition with no tears. fading or sagging. This is the original hardtop with the suffix of the body number “2282” stamped into the hardtop. Also. this number is also stamped into the convertible top boot. Pictures below show both of these numbers. Engine/Transmission/Shifter: We were told by the previous owner that the engine was previously rebuilt. but had to make sure it was in excellent was working order. This car was sitting. so we had to drain gas and change all fluids. The engine is very strong and responsive. The oil pressure is excellent and the compression is 150 to 160 psi on all 6 cylinders.   A new drive belt was installed. A new shifter lever was installed with a new major shift linkage kit. New tie rod assemblies were installed. All spark plus were replaced. as well as oil and filter. A new battery was installed. We drove the car to shake it down and make sure everything was working and running properly.  Overall. this car runs and drives excellent. It is very tight to the road and is a pleasure to drive. It has great acceleration and shifts easily with no noises in any of the gears. The clutch feels great and easy to work.   The car stops straight and does not pull in either direction.  This is a great driver car. Engine Detail: The engine was dirty and looked to be never really detailed. We wanted to make the engine look excellent and clean. but not overly done.  The top and bottom of the engine were completely degreased and cleaned.   The valve cover was removed and polished. Also. the intake. exhaust manifolds. throttle body and fuels lines were all cleaned. refinished or polished. The header tank and air filter were powder coated. Under the hood/bonnet was also cleaned and polished. The correct body number suffix is stamped into the upper portion of the bonnet (hood) on the driver side (left side). This can be seen in the pictures below.  The outside of the engine compartments still retains the original spot welds which a lot of these cars do not. Also. the original tags are still in the engine compartment and pictured below.   Clutch/Brakes: A new clutch master cylinder was installed as well as a new clutch slave cylinder. The clutch feels great. engages nicely and as mentioned earlier is very easy to operate/work.   The brake pads were replaced and the car stops well. Wheels/Hubcaps: The car had some older Mercedes replacements wheels when we initially purchased the car. These needed to go and go quickly! We purchased five of the original (14 inch) and proper steel wheels. These were then degreased. cleaned and stripped. They were then powder coated black. In addition we purchased hub caps for this car. which we refurbished. polished and painted the matching color as the exterior of this great car. A newer set of 195/60/R14 tires were installed on the newly restored wheels.  The wheels were balanced and an alignment was completed.   Underside/Exhaust: The underside. original floors and wheel wells were very dirty when we first received the car basically from a long time of  fair weather driving and road grime.  The original floors. rockers. rails. entire underside was all solid and there was original undercoating  on the car. We degreased the wheels wells and underside. The exhaust was older. but had a nice sound. We pulled off the older exhaust and shot the underneath and wheel wells with 3M Body Schutz coating. This is a great product that is not heavy (not sloppy. greasy. sticky undercoat) and goes on evenly. We purchased and installed a brand new complete stainless steel exhaust system with the correct chrome tips. Trunk: The trunk was solid. but also dirty. We cleaned the trunk area and refinished the trunk floor. A new trunk mat was installed. In addition. we purchased a new spare tire cover for the spare wheel and new spare tire. The car also comes with the original jack. ratchet and wheel chalk. It also comes with an original Mercedes tool kit/roll. This is a great Mercedes 280SL that can be driven anywhere or taken to local shows. This car has not been abused. and been very well cared for throughout its life. It is solid as it came from an excellent climate with a careful owner.   The Mercedes 280SL Pagoda has been rapidly appreciating in value. as the earlier 300SL and 190SLs have and nice ones are often hard to find.   It is no surprise that these cars have become great investments as they are one of the best built Mercedes classic sports cars. one of the most popular cars Mercedes ever made and arguably the most enjoyable to drive. especially with the manual transmission.  The next owner will be able to enjoy this wonderful car for a very long time.     This automobile is available for inspection in Cornelius. NC and by appointment only. All cars sold “AS IS” with no warranty stated or implied with all faults and imperfections. No allowance will be given for any of the cars imperfections. Please read all terms as listed below. so you as a potential buyer understand the sale terms. International Buyers Welcome. If you have any questions please email us at: CLICK HERE TO EMAIL ME or at marc@motorcartrader. com or contact me at 980. 216. 8550 About MotorCarTrader. com. LC: At MotorCarTrader. com. LLC our sole focus is to buy and sell quality Classic Cars. We our cars offered for sale and they have great ownership history and/or have been restored well. What separates MotorCarTrader. com is that we have a passion for these Classic Sports Cars. have nearly 20 years of experience buying and selling these great cars.   In addition. we know our cars well and they all have a great story. We are not brokers and only buy cars that meet our high standards of quality. history. strong mechanicals and excellent driving enjoyment. We also take the time to invest and make these cars right to drive and enjoy.   Thanks for looking at our great cars for sale and if you have any questions please let us know. ATTENTION: Notice to All Interested Parties: Terms of Sale PLEASE READ TERMS BELOW If a mutually agreeable price has been established the buyer is responsible for shipping costs. and all applicable taxes. A 10% deposit is due immediately and full payment must be received within 7 days after the auction has closed. All inspections must be done before or during this time. Please only serious interest on this vehicle. If you have any specific questions please ask them BEFORE you participate in the auction. This car is available for sale locally as well. so we reserve the right to cancel the auction if the car is sold. Motorcartrader. com. LLC is the owner of this car and it does have clear title. Cars are available for viewing and inspection. by appointment to serious parties. It is the buyer’s responsibility to do all research. inspections and decision-making regarding these vehicles to verify condition and authenticity. In addition to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. In other words please make sure you are comfortable with the car. its condition and sure the car is right for you before participating in the auction. These cars are classic automobiles and are sold “AS IS” with no warranty stated or implied or written. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness. imperfections. defects or damage. They are not new and most cases older than 40 years old. They should be driven. maintained and treated as classics. All sales are FINAL. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle. We  are not a customer service or restoration shop  for these cars. PLEASE UNDERSTAND: Please make sure this car is right for you by asking questions and we would be happy to go over the car with you over the phone or arrange an inspection. Because of the years of most of these cars and their age. we cannot verify that the mileage is original from new unless otherwise stated. We reserve the right to cancel any bids on any user with negative feedback or 0 feedback. If you are bidding and have negative or 0 feedback or completely new to ebay. please inform us of your offer to confirm that your intentions are to buy this vehicle. When you have placed an offer this means that you fully understand ALL of these terms and are willing to abide by ALL of them. Thank you and good luck bidding on this great automobile! The Pictures are Listed Below. They will load shortly and you can scroll down to view an extensive display of pictures Or You Can Click Here For Pictures of this Fine Automobile