1971 Mercedes Benz 280SL Pagoda

Vehicle Overview

Now available on Bring a Trailer Auctions : Single-Family-Owned 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL

Bid - Watch at https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-mercedes-benz-280sl-137/

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Presented by Mohr Imports Monterey, member of Bring a Trailer's Local Partners Program.

This 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL was purchased new by the mother of its current owner, who assumed ownership of the car in 1974. Refinished in brown over Cognac MB-Tex upholstery, it is powered by a rebuilt 2.8-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes a tan convertible top, a removable hardtop, power steering, and 14? wheels with polished covers in addition to a Becker Europa AM/FM radio, a heater, and air conditioning. The car is said to have been used sparingly since the 1990s, with recommissioning work carried out in 2017 following an extended period off the road. This W113 SL is now offered on dealer consignment with owner’s manuals, spare keys, service records, related literature, and a clean California title.

The W113 SL was designed by Friedrich Geiger, Béla Barényi, and Paul Bracq and was introduced to the public at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show. This example left the factory finished in Sand Beige Metallic (467) and later underwent a color change to brown. Exterior details include a brown soft top, a removable body-color hardtop, a left-side mirror, and US-specification headlights in addition to chrome bumpers with overriders. Close-up photos of the finish and trim are provided in the gallery below.

Steel 14? wheels wear polished covers with painted body-color centers, and they are wrapped in 195/75 Toyo Extensa A/S tires. The car is equipped with power steering, and braking is provided by power-assisted four-wheel discs.

The bucket seats are upholstered in Cognac MB-Tex, and the door panels are trimmed to match. Interior appointments include a Becker Europa AM/FM radio, a VDO analog clock, a floor-mounted gear shifter, a heater and defroster, and a Frigiking air conditioner.

The two-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and frames VDO instrumentation consisting of a 140-mph speedometer and a tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline as well as gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 25k miles and is nonoperational. Total mileage is unknown.

The 2.8-liter M130 inline-six was factory equipped with Bosch fuel injection and was rated at 180 horsepower and 193 lb-ft of torque when new. The engine has been rebuilt with a replacement block, and service in September 2024 consisted of changing the oil and replacing the battery.

Power is routed to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission.

Decoding the chassis tag reveals the following information:

• 426 – Automatic transmission and power steering
• 491 – US version
• 503 – Outside rear view mirror, on the right side
• 515 – Radio Becker AM, FM, US
• 467 – Sand Beige Metallic paint

The car’s California title notes the VIN as 280SL022388, whereas the VIN on the car is 11304412022388.