Fantasy Junction

Description

1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
s/n 113.044-12-019715, engine no. 130-983-12-0 13074
Two Tone White and Medium Blue with Dark Blue Interior

Representing Mercedes-Benz's trend towards producing more usable and practical sports cars, the 230/250/280SL 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 and with excellent visibility, 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 disc brakes all around.

This particular car was finished in the color combination it still wears today, two tone DB050 white with DB350 medium blue hub caps and hard top, offset with a dark blue interior. It was fitted with the following options:
249 heated rear window
426 power steering and automatic transmission
491 US version
503 left side rear view mirror
515 Becker AM-FM radio

The car was sold new at Phil Smart Mercedes-Benz in Seattle, Washington, and was regularly serviced there or at Don Rasmussen Mercedes-Benz in Portland, Oregon for the first 15 years of its life, as indicated by its stamped service book. Its second owner was in Medford, Oregon, and it eventually found its way to Arizona, where it has been since at least 2004. It comes with a file of service invoices from the last eight years showing regular servicing including fluid changes, recored radiator, chassis lubrication, new shocks all around, alignment, new tie rods, new tires, one new brake caliper, new soft brake lines, new rear rotors and pads, new battery, and new fuel tank sender.

The car presents as an undisturbed and fundamentally unrestored example. The body is straight and solid with very good gaps and fit. Structural details such as the inner fender seams and ridges between the headlight rings and grille are intact and undisturbed. The paintwork is attractive and has a few minor blemishes but presents strongly overall. The chrome is very good to excellent with light swirls and pitting in selected areas, and the glass and lights are excellent other than some delamination at the top corners of the windscreen. The blue soft top is in excellent condition.

The interior appears to be predominantly original and is very nice considering this. The seats are in very good condition, with a handful of cracks limited to the driver’s seat bottom. The carpets are in very nice condition, as are the instruments and switches. The dash top pad has a few small cracks. The wood trim appears to be original and the finish shows age but the wood is free of warping or cracks. The Becker Europa radio is in place, which adds to the authentic and undisturbed impression of the interior. The steering wheel is in excellent condition.

The engine compartment is not freshly restored but shows signs of recent maintenance. Its presentation is consistent with a car that has been driven, enjoyed, and properly looked after. The structural elements, including the vulnerable inner fenders, are in solid and undisturbed in appearance. The firewall heat pad is in great shape. The trunk presents well with spare tire cover and correct rubber mat. The trunk floor is solid and the car comes with car cover, sheepskin seat covers, floor mats, tool roll with tools, and a very complete books set, including the following items:
Owner’s manual
Stamped service book
Mercedes dealer directory
Mercedes parts book
Mercedes cleaning products pamphlet
Wiring diagram
Bosch service directory
Hirschmann antenna booklet
Becker Europa warranty card
Becker dealer directory
Kangol safety belt booklet

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire an honest and undisturbed 280SL that is well-optioned . Finished in its attractive original color combination, the car is structurally excellent and is complete with books, tools, hard top, and service invoices for the last eight years.

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