1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda

113044.12.009120roadGermany

Engine: 2.8L SOHC inline-six, Bosch mechanical fuel injection, 160 bhp at 5,700 rpm
Colour: Midnight blue (DB904)

A 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL 'Pagoda' roadster, chassis 113044.12.009120, built at Stuttgart in spring 1969 and supplied new to Los Angeles for the US market. The car remained with its original Southern California owner for approximately five decades before undergoing a comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration by a noted Mercedes-Benz marque specialist, including a full engine rebuild by Metric Motors. It retains its original California registration documents and licence plates, both hardtop and soft top, and the original Becker Europa radio.

Ownership

2022-01-27Auction sale
Sold US$170,000
Bonhams catalogue lot →
1969 →Factory delivery
Original Los Angeles-based first owner
full documentation
Took new delivery in Los Angeles after the car was exported from the Stuttgart factory; retained the vehicle for several decades, keeping it in sound and original condition. Original title document remained with the car throughout.
Date unknownPrivate sale
Current consignor
full documentation
Acquired the car approximately four years before the auction date and commissioned a thorough nut-and-bolt restoration to factory standards, supported by a comprehensive file of photographs and receipts.

Competition

No competition history extracted from the catalogue.

Maintenance & restoration

—Restoration
Mercedes-Benz marque specialist (unnamed)
Comprehensive nut-and-bolt restoration carried out to exacting factory standards. Original paintwork was stripped and the body refinished in Mercedes Midnight Blue (DB904); a new parchment leather interior was fitted by professional upholsterers; all chrome and brightwork was brought to a high standard; nuts, bolts, brackets and hard lines were cadmium-plated to period specification. A new black soft top was installed and the original hardtop was restored and colour-matched. The factory air conditioning and original Becker Europa radio were retained and recommissioned.
A full restoration file containing photographs and receipts accompanies the car. The work was described as prepared to concours judging standard.
—Engine rebuild
Metric Motors
The original inline-six engine was fully rebuilt as part of the overall restoration programme.
Metric Motors is described as a Mercedes-Benz engine specialist; the rebuild was conducted concurrently with the broader restoration.

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