1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda
- Colour
- Dark green (DB291)
A final-production-year 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 'Pagoda' (W113), finished in Dark Green over Cognac leather with a tan soft top. Originally delivered with dealer-fitted air conditioning, a four-speed manual gearbox, and a Becker Europa radio, the car underwent a highly regarded restoration completed in 1999 by Hatch & Sons of New England, after which it was described by a prominent specialist as among the finest examples in the United States. Since the restoration it has accumulated only around 1,000 additional miles.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$201,600
- 1998 →Private saleCurrent vendorfull documentation
Acquisition supported by a bill of sale on file. Owner commissioned a full restoration in 1999 and has added roughly 1,000 miles since its completion.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1999RestorationHatch & Sons
Comprehensive restoration carried out to a high standard, after which the car was regarded by a noted specialist as among the finest restored examples in the country. The air conditioning system was removed during the project as it was considered superfluous for open-top use; a significant portion of the original Cognac leather interior was retained.
Ed Owen, then an employee of Hatch & Sons and later owner of European Auto Solutions, cited this car as the best 280 SL restoration in the country upon its completion.
- 2025Service
Routine maintenance including an oil change, replacement of spark plugs and points, valve adjustment, fitment of new tyres, and a differential service.
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