Vehicle Description
A very well presented 280SL Pagoda having just 4 owners from new!
It would spend the majority of life with its first owner for the
first 45 years, before a compassionate restoration would be
commissioned by the last two owners! Showing just 61,073 miles
today, it continues to impress on the road and should be a strong
consideration for the driver enthusiast! Wonderfully
documented!
As the collector car market goes up and down, some special vehicles
prove that a down economy just doesn't affect them the same as
others. The Mercedes Benz 280SL roadster, or Pagoda, is definitely
one of those vehicles. It has been on a soaring price increase over
the last 10 years that is truly remarkable! And for good reason!
When one looks at infamous Mercedes autos of the past, such as the
SSK, 500K, 300SL Gullwing and Roadster, you can easily find
beautiful cars from each decade that have become a multi 6-figure
investment. This is why many investors who have missed their
opportunity have turned their attention to the 1970's generation of
Mercedes SL's! These stunning cars offer superb design, increased
driver refinements, and better performance to their owners making
them not just excellent investment choices to hang on to, but
wonderful cars to drive on today's roads!
The St. Louis Car Museum is very excited to offer this number's
matching 1969 Mercedes Benz 280SL roadster finished in its factory
correct White over original Black MB Tex interior with matching
Black soft top. This car is a nearly untouched original example
with exception to a mild exterior restoration! It was sold
originally by Jain Hain of Charleston, WV and later traveled with
her to Louisville, KY by July 1993. It would appear she had the car
repainted at some point in her care. As she grew older, it would go
into garage storage the fall of 1995 when she was driving it less
and less. At the age of 91 years old, she decided to sell her
prized Mercedes-Benz 280SL in June 2014 with only 59,737 miles on
the odometer to a connoisseur in Los Angeles, CA. He quickly sold
it to another Mercedes enthusiast from Pacific Palisades, CA just 6
months later. This third owner would commence a necessary
refurbishment of the mechanicals and the auxiliary hardtop.
She selected L&M Motors Inc, an exclusive Mercedes-Benz service
center based in Los Angeles area, to perform the necessary tasks in
January 2015. They would replace all four brake calipers, rotors,
pad linings, and hoses; install a new front crankshaft seal; new
water pump, rubber hoses, and all belts; new engine and
transmission mounts new hood torsion bar, strap & bracket; all four
shock absorbers; valve cover gasket, air filter, and perform a
complete tune-up. New 1" radial whitewall tires were installed that
same month, and a new starter with harness in August 2015.
The original interior upholstery shows very well considering its
age, although the hardtop was in storage for so many years, she
opted to have it completely renewed with new headliner, all new
seals & rubbers, chrome moldings, latches & bushings, and quarter
glass window seals. And at no small cost either! This passionate
California owner would cherish this Mercedes-Benz until April 2016
and sell it with just 60,546 miles to a local St. Louis
cardiologist.
He would continue a methodical attempt to preserve the originality
of his lovely, low mileage investment with perfecting the
mechanicals with the help of GLB Motorworks beginning with a new
stainless steel exhaust system, new fuel pump & hoses, along with
fresh oil cooler hoses. It was determined after closer inspection,
the original floor boards had suffered typical rust perforation
after moisture became trapped within the original undercoating and
sheet metal. This is a sad, but common effect of Mercedes-Benz's
original efforts to preserve their vehicles. GLB Motorworks would
perform a fully photo documented removal of all four floor panels
and replace them for brand new in February 2017. Everything would
be welded professionally and fully seam sealed to perfection! The
new interior floor would then receive a Dynamat underlayment and
all new German weave interior carpeting! The results are excellent
and done to a high standard so no future owner will have anything
to worry about.
The following year, the dash wood trim would be replaced, a newly
refurbished steering wheel installed, and fresh service to include
new fluids including the rear differential and fresh valve cover
gasket. And just this last year in April 2019, the gearbox was
rebuilt with new governor and drive gear assembly. Even the factory
radio was restored with new Becker speaker to ensure all features
remain in functional form.
Options include USA version VDO English gauges, 4-speed automatic
transmission, working Mercedes Frigiking air conditioning, power
brakes, power steering, Becker Europa II AM/FM radio, auxiliary
hardtop with garnish moldings, front & rear bumper guards,
whitewall tires, outside rear view mirror, and carpeted floor
mats!
This car will come with two sets of keys, service records back to
1976, and spare tire, trunk mat, jack, and wrench. Chances to
purchase cars surviving in this condition are growing extremely
difficult! Act quickly as many cars of this caliber are sought
after throughout the world! The St. Louis Car Museum reserves the
right to end this listing at any time. Please feel welcome to call
with any questions!
