1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL

The Mercedes-Benz W 113 two-seat roadster/coupe was produced from 1963 through 1971 and served as a replacement for both the 300 SL (W 198) and the 190 SL (W 121 BII). The 230 SL was built from 1963 through 1967, the 250 SL from 1966 to 1968, and the 280 SL from 1967 through 1971. All three rested on a 94.5-inch wheelbase platform with a 170.7-inch overall length and a width of 69.3-inches. The dual-circuit braking system of the 230 SL employs disc brakes at the front and power-assisted rear drums at the rear. The suspension was comprised of double wishbones in the front and an independent single-joint, low-pivot swing rear-axle with transverse compensator spring. The 2,308cc (2.3-liter) M127.II inline-6 cylinder engine produced 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque.

The 230 SL was followed by the 250 SL, introduced in 1967 at the Geneva Motor Show. Compared to its predecessor, it had a larger fuel tank, an optional limited-slip differential, and a 2,496cc (2.5-liter) M129.II engine with 148 horsepower and 159 lb-ft of torque.

The Mercedes-Benz 280 SL arrived in December of 1967 and would remain in production through February of 1971 when it was replaced by the entirely new R107 350 SL. Of the 23,885 examples of the 280 SLs produced, more than half were sold in the United States. The four-speed automatic transmission was the preferred gearbox, along with air conditioning, in the U.S. with just 882 customers selecting the four-speed or ZF 5-speed manual. In Europe, the manual transmission and the lack of air conditioning was the preferred arrangement.

The 280 SL was motivated by a 2,778cc M130, single overhead camshaft engine that produced 168 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Its bore increased by 4.5mm over its predecessor and the mandatory oil-cooler was installed vertically next to the radiator.

The cars destined for the North American shores were given 'sealed beam' bulb headlights while the rest of the world used Bosch Lichteinheit headlights. The 1970 U.S. models had amber turn-signal lenses on the rear lights. Conforming to safety requirements, there were chrome bumper guards, side reflectors, and no 'single-side' parking lights. Additionally, there were imperial gauges and lower rear axle ratios.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2019