Vehicle Description
According to its factory data card, this Euro-spec, four-speed
manual transmission 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda, was sold new
in Switzerland.
Early in its life, this Pagoda made its way to the USA and landed
in Tucson, AZ, where local classic car collector Dan Mulnar
purchased it in the mid-1990s. When Mulnar acquired the car, it
still sported its original midnight blue paint (DB904-dunkelblau)
with a grey leather interior (247). The Pagoda moved to Mulnar's
residence in upscale North Scottsdale, AZ, and enjoyed a happy,
pampered life along with other classic cars from Mulnar's notable
Mercedes-Benz collection.
After nearly two decades of ownership, Mulnar decided to embark on
a frame-off restoration of this 280SL and commissioned famed local
Pagoda/Gullwing restorer Jared King of Transcendental Finishes to
undertake the task. The car was completely taken apart and stripped
to bare metal. A lifetime spent in the Southwest revealed a laser
straight frame with minimal rust decay. Mulnar decided to take
permanent residence at his estate in rural Ireland, parting with
most of his Arizona Mercedes-Benz collection.
In January 2014, Cyril Mischler, one of CPR's partners, purchased
the in-process restoration project from Mulnar to keep the car for
his personal use. Mischler, also based in Arizona, continued the
project with King as the head of the restoration. King himself
performed all the sheet metal and repair work to the body and
resprayed the car in silver grey (DB180-silbergrau),
Mercedes-Benz's timeless, emblematic color. The interior was
completely redone with the correct light red (3001) leather and
carpet.
The car was also thoroughly restored mechanically, having not only
the engine but the transmission rebuilt. All other mechanical
components were also either restored or replaced with Mercedes-Benz
original parts.
Throughout the 3-year restoration, attention to detail and the
highest possible quality of work were the utmost priorities. As an
example of this dedication, the rare, desirable "kinder" seat was
salvaged, restored and, refitted into the car. A period-correct
Kuhlmiester under-dash unit was sourced and Bud's Benz's excellent
modern compressor air-conditioning system was fitted into the
car.
As a token of the superior craftsmanship of the restoration, SL
Market Letter, a leading magazine of all things Mercedes-Benz SLs,
selected Mischler and his Pagoda for a full technical feature on
the A/C install.
The end product is a highly-desirable Euro-spec,
manual-transmission, A/C-equipped, stunningly beautiful Pagoda.
After enjoying the car for about a year and about 6,000 miles,
Mischler is now concentrating on another Mercedes-Benz project and
is offering this exceptional and rare Pagoda for sale.
Desirable features:
-Stunning color combination.
-European (Switzerland) market model (attractive headlights,
bumpers, metric gauges)
-Sportier manual 4-speed transmission.
-Modern A/C system with period-correct Kuhlmiester under-dash
unit
-Rear "kinder" seat
-Both hard and soft tops
-Restored Becker radio with iPhone jack
