1972 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda

113044-10-023810roadGermany

Engine: 2.8L inline-six, 180 bhp
Colour: Dark Blue (shade 904)

A 1972 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 'Pagoda' finished in Dark Blue (904) from new, equipped with the desirable manual gearbox and matching chassis and engine numbers. Originally ordered new by its first owner in Wisconsin, USA, the car remained within the same family for over four decades before returning to Europe. Between 2017 and 2018 it underwent a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration by Belgian marque specialists Top Classics, after which it has covered fewer than 650 kilometres.

Ownership

2021-10-10Auction sale
Sold €140,000 (≈ $154K)
Bonhams catalogue lot →
1972 → 2014Factory delivery
John I. Clark
full documentation
Wisconsin-based first owner who placed a European delivery order in April 1971, taking delivery of the car in 1972 via the Sindelfingen factory. Original purchase invoice is retained in the car's documentation file.
2014 → 2016Inheritance
Clark family members
partial documentation
Vehicle remained within the Clark family following John Clark's passing in 2014, before being returned to Europe around 2016.
2016 →Acquisition unknown
Belgian owner post-repatriation
partial documentation
After return to Europe, the car was converted to European specification and underwent a comprehensive restoration by Top Classics in Belgium between late 2017 and late 2018. Current Belgian registration documents are on file.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

2016
Modification
Converted from US to European specification, including fitment of correct headlights, taillights, and speedometer.
2017Restoration
Top Classics
Comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration carried out between September 2017 and September 2018. The bodyshell was stripped and sand-blasted, corrosion addressed, and epoxy primer applied. Suspension and rear axle were overhauled and powder-coated with new shock absorbers fitted throughout. The entire braking system, handbrake mechanism, fuel system, and exhaust were renewed. The original engine and gearbox were fully rebuilt, with a new cylinder head installed. All brightwork was re-chromed, and new colour-matched wheels with whitewall tyres fitted. Exterior refinished in original Dark Blue (904); interior re-trimmed in natural leather with boucle carpeting. A new three-layer soft-top was fitted and additional door and floor insulation added.
Work carried out in Belgium. The process is documented with invoices and photographs in the car's file. Fewer than 650 km driven since completion.

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