1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda

113.044.12.021109roadGermany

Engine: 2.8L inline-six
Colour: Tobacco Brown

A 1968–1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (W113 'Pagoda') finished in Tobacco Brown, equipped from new with the hardtop, automatic transmission, power steering, and period accessories. Acquired roughly four years ago by a Southern California collector known for an extensive matched-pair Mercedes-Benz collection, the car underwent a comprehensive, two-year nut-and-bolt restoration costing well into six figures, including an engine rebuild by Los Angeles specialist Metric Motors and a full interior retrim in factory-correct Cognac leather.

Ownership

—Auction sale
Sold US$257,600
RM Sotheby's catalogue lot →
Date unknownAcquisition unknown
Southern California consignor
partial documentation
Acquired the car roughly four years before the auction sale; found it in acceptable but not exceptional condition and commissioned a full two-year restoration costing well into the six figures. The car forms part of a large Mercedes-Benz collection, each Pagoda paired with a matching 3.5 Cabriolet.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—Restoration
Metric Motors
Comprehensive two-year restoration encompassing bodywork stripping and correction, repaint in factory-correct Tobacco Brown on both body and removable hardtop, fitting of a new brown fabric soft-top, complete interior replacement with factory-correct Cognac leather, and finishing of the engine bay, undercarriage, and suspension to concours standard. A period air-conditioning system was also installed.
Interior leather sourced from GAHH Automotive, Los Angeles. Undercarriage photographs retained on file. Total cost reported as well into six figures; carried out as part of a matched-pair restoration alongside a 3.5 Cabriolet.
—Engine rebuild
Metric Motors
Full engine rebuild carried out by Metric Motors of Canoga Park, a recognised Mercedes-Benz specialist in the Los Angeles area.
Conducted as part of the broader restoration programme.

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