1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda
- Colour
- Red
A Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 'Pagoda' delivered in December 1968 through a Kassel dealership, finished in Red (576) with Cognac leatherette interior, four-speed automatic, and power steering. The car spent at least a decade in California before returning to Europe, where a German Mercedes specialist carried out a sympathetic full restoration retaining the original colour and correct period accessories. Subsequently, the current owner commissioned a complete engine rebuild by a UK marque specialist and fitted a new soft top.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate €125,000 – €145,000
- 1968-12-10 →Factory deliveryFirst owner via Kassel dealershippartial documentation
Car was delivered through a Mercedes dealer in Kassel, Germany. Specified in red with cognac leatherette interior, automatic gearbox, and power steering.
- Date unknownCalifornia-based owner or ownersnone documentation
Car spent at least a decade in California; the warm climate is credited with preserving the bodywork in good condition.
- Date unknownGerman restorer or intermediate European ownernone documentation
After returning to Europe roughly a decade before cataloguing, a sympathetic restoration was carried out by a German Mercedes specialist, retaining the original colour and refreshing the interior.
- Date unknownPrivate saleCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Purchased at the Essen Techno Classica show a few years before cataloguing. Subsequently commissioned a full engine rebuild with a UK marque specialist and fitted a new soft top.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —RestorationGerman Mercedes specialist
Comprehensive restoration carried out in Germany by a Mercedes specialist after the car's return to Europe; original red paint colour was preserved and the interior was refreshed. Correct period Becker Mexico radio and Bosch headlights were retained rather than replaced with US-specification sealed-beam units.
Work undertaken prior to the current owner's acquisition at Essen Techno Classica.
- —Engine rebuildUK marque specialist
Full engine rebuild carried out by a UK-based marque specialist; original engine unit was retained throughout the process.
Commissioned by the current owner after purchase.
- —Bodywork
New soft top fitted in addition to the car's existing hardtop.
Described as recently completed by the current owner.
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