Fantasy Junction

Description

1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
s/n 11304410004969
Red with White hardtop and Black interior

Representing Mercedes’ trend towards producing more usable and practical sports cars, the 230/250/280SL W113 line was meant to replace both the 190SL and the illustrious 300SL. The car was a comfortable two-seater that was to be neither too big nor too expensive, and exhibited excellent roadholding thanks to the innovative and sophisticated rear suspension design. Built to Mercedes` usually high standards, the cars were popular and sold well. The cars were continuously developed, with the 280SL being the ultimate version of the car, with its larger more powerful engine and all around disc brakes.

This particular car is a very nice example that has been fastidiously maintained and is extremely well-documented. It was owned by the same gentleman in Arizona for over twenty years before being acquired by its current owner in the early 2000’s. Since then, he has performed much work, both mechanical and cosmetic, exceeding $30,000. The car is also extremely complete, with service records, tool rolls, wheel chock, original replacement belts, spare with Michelin tire, spare wheel cover, jack, and overriders. The car also has an extremely complete manual pouch, including the pouch, owner’s manual, preliminary manual, service booklet, parts catalog, Frigiking AC manual, Kangol safety belt instructions, spare tire tag, Mercedes-Benz car care products guide, service network directory, and Bosch service directory.

Included among the recent work (2008-2009) was rebuilding of the suspension, including new king pins, upper and lower control arms, and four new Bilstein shock absorbers. The fuel injection system was also rebuilt, including the injection pump. The transmission, engine, and differential oil were renewed, and the car was aligned. New mufflers were fitted, and the windscreen wipers repaired. A taller 3.27:1 ratio rear end was also fitted to reduce the engine speeds during motorway cruising. During this period, the car also received much cosmetic work, including new interior and paint. The interior was comprehensively restored, including the wood, and the car taken to bare metal and repainted. There are records for much other work completed earlier, including valve adjustment, fuel pump an filter, and clutch master cylinder in 2006. Prior to that, the brakes were rebuilt with new front calipers and new master cylinder in 2000.

In June-July of 2009, the car received significant sorting work by Mercedes specialist Bernd Fiebig at great expense (invoices of $17,000), including engine detailing, new cam and rocker arms, engine detailing work, tidying of trunk wiring, adjusting the shift linkage, and repairing the fuel gauge.

The car is in very nice condition with a fairly high quality paint job in very nice shape. The paint has good gloss and the panels are straight and fit well. The chrome has mostly been renewed, including on the bumpers and headlight trims, and is in excellent order. A few of the smaller items such as the tail lamp surrounds were not renewed and have some aging. The lamps and glass are in fine shape, as is the hardtop.

The interior has a nice honest feel with correct pattern seats in nice condition. The carpets are the correct German square weave carpets in very good shape, and the dashboard is also in nice condition. The instruments are in very good shape, as is the wood. The car is fitted with a period Becker Mexico radio, optional Frigiking air conditioning (which blows cool but not cold), and the original Kangol safety belts, contributing to the authentic period feel of the car’s interior.

The engine compartment has seen significant detailing work, with numerous refinished components. The cadmium plating has been renewed throughout and looks very smart. Various other items have been replaced under the hood as well, including the windscreen washer reservoir and cooling fan. The trunk is very correct and original, with the original rubber floor mat, spare tire cover, and tool roll with tools. The trunk floor is very sold and straight.

This is a great opportunity to acquire a nicely equipped and fastidiously looked after 280SL. It is in nice driver condition and would make an ideal weekend car, and is also nicely specified with manual transmission and AC. It has much money spent on both cosmetic and mechanical aspects, and is ready to enjoy, and as a long time dry climate car, it is solid and free of corrosion. The car is also quite complete with a full set of books, the original spare tire cover, and a box of spare parts including bumper over riders and the original differential.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608