1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL

Daimler-Benz engineers developed a successor to the popular 300SL Gullwing, a legend to this day, the most sought after sports Mercedes in existence. The new SL design (W113) was contemporary, bright, comfortable, and spacious for its era. First seen at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1963 as the next generation sports car for Mercedes. This second generation SL became popularly known as the 'Pagoda' because of the concave bow in its roof. It was a touch of avant-grade.

The 230SL, 250SL, and last the 280SL, was available as a coupe with a removable roof and roadster top, as a coupe with a removal roof, and as a roadster. The 230SL, as it was introduced in 1963, had a 2.3 liter single overhead valve, six-cylinder, Bosch fuel injection engine, 170 bhp, with front wheel disc, rear wheel drum brakes, rear wheel drums, and as an option, power assist steering. An automatic gearbox was also available, as well as a ZF 5-speed transmission from May 1966. The 230SL proved its sporty qualities when the Stuttgart hotelier Eugen Bohringer, together with teammat Klaus Kaiser, won the 1963 Spa-Sofia-Liege Rally in a well-prepared car. 19,831 units were produced.

On 27 February 1967 the 250SL was launched as its replacement. Still the same body (W113) unchanged outwardly, though fitted with elements of the 250SE. Example, the engine was bored to 2.5-liters, however the power output remained the same though it achieved 10 percent more torque. Brakes wer now all four disc, and disc size was increased and a servo added for driver relief. The fuel tank was enlarged to 84 liters. A further version offered to customers, the 'California model'; a rear seat replaced the roadster and its boot. The 250SL is the rarest of the model W113, with 5,196 units.

This 280SL has number 113 044 10 015779 (Colour #180, Top #740, Upholstery #242, Tauschaggregat/Engine Block # 130.983-10-005917, options: #740, #248, #345 (soft-top black, rear window heater, and power assist steering), left the factory in Stuttgart on 11 February 1970, at which time auto broker Leo K&C then contracted it's first owner, Dr. John Horst, a German Medical doctor. He titled the SL on 13 April 1970.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2007