1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Coupe Roadster

The Mercedes-Benz 280SL's enjoyed phenomenal success, particularly in the all-important North American market where the optional automatic transmission was considered an essential feature by the majority of customers. They offered tremendous appeal to the sports car enthusiast market and were popular among celebrities and film stars.

The Mercedes-Benz 280SL was introduced in 1967 and came equipped with a 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine that offered 170 horsepower, 20 horsepower more than the preceding 250SL. Top speed was in the neighborhood of 120 mph and zero-to-sixty took 10 seconds.

This example was completed at the Stuttgart Mercedes-Benz factory in the late summer of 1970. It was finished in white with matching hardtop and dark blue soft top. It was trimmed in blue MB Tex upholstery, and configured as a US-market example. It was delivered on September 27, 1970, to its first owner, David R. Wilkerson of Santa Ana, California. By 1975, the 280SL had moved to Texas, where it was owned by Fort Worth resident R.E. Fiesler. The Mercedes-Benz is believed to have stayed in the Fiesler family until just few years ago, when it was acquired by a Dallas-based collector. Soon after the acquisition, the car was treated to a comprehensive restoration, which included a repaint in the factory-correct white, and re-trim in blue.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2014