1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL

The W113 Mercedes-Benz SL was introduced at the Geneva Show in March of 1963 and was not a direct replacement for the outgoing 190 SL, but rather an all-new, modern sports touring car that offered performance and luxury. In a similar fashion to the 190 SL, it borrowed its chassis and running gear from a volume sedan - the W111/112 that first appeared in 1959. Under the bonnet was an overhead-cam six sourced from the 220 SE, with an increased displacement and a Bosch fuel injection system. It had a monocoque construction and coil-and-wishbone front suspension - again, in a similar fashion to the 190 SL. In the back was a low-pivot swing axle along with a transverse camber-compensating spring.

The 190SL had the optional 'pagoda' hardtop, so named for its upward-curving sides, which offered rigidity and increased glass area. The interior featured reclining bucket seats and a typical Mercedes-Benz dash with a large round speedometer and tachometer.

The elegant and crisp Paul Bracq-penned bodylines bore a strong family resemblance to the other models in the Mercedes-Benz product line with a sporty stance and understated design cues. The comprehensive suite of built-in safety features on the 230 SL, engineered by Bela Barényi, was an industry first and included the rigid monocoque (unit-body) construction, the elimination of sharp edges from the interior compartment, and front and rear crumple zones. The optional hardtop provided high strength and rollover protection, along with excellent visibility from its tall windows and slim pillars.

The W113 SL-Class was produced from 1963 through 1971, beginning with the 2.3-liter mechanically fuel-injected six-cylinder version. Around 1967, the displacement increased and the model became known as the 250 SL. Within a year the engine displacement grew for the second and final time and the model's designation became the 280 SL. The 180 horsepower from the 2.8-liter engine was 20 horsepower more than the preceding 250 SL's. The 280 SL's 195km/h (121mph) top speed was no greater, but it was significantly quicker off the line, its 0-100km/h (0-62mph) time of 10 seconds being a whole second better than the 250 SL. Production of the final W 113 2.8-liter 280 SL lasted from December of 1967 to February of 1971.

The 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL was priced in the United States at approximately $6,500 for the roadster, $6,650 for the coupe, and $6,900 for the Coupe/Roadster. It was powered by a 2778 six-cylinder engine with overhead camshafts, a cast-iron block, aluminum heads, a 9.5:1 compression ratio, Bosch fuel injection, seven main bearings, and solid valve lifters. It developed 180 horsepower at 5,750 RPM and 193 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 RPM. The wheelbase measured 94.5-inches, a length of 168.7-inches, a height of 52-inches, and a width of 69.3-inches. Dimensionally, the 380SL was nearly identical to the 190 SL, albeit with 1.5-inches more in length. The additional weight of the stout structure for the new convertible was offset by the extra horsepower of the larger engine. Steering was by recirculating ball, and the transmission was a standard four-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic or ZF five-speed manual unit. This was the first sporting Mercedes-Benz equipped with an automatic transmission with a simple fluid coupling system instead of a torque converter. The suspension was independent in the front with twin transverse wishbones, coil springs, and an anti-roll bar. In the back was a single-joint low-pivot swing axle with coil springs, compensating springs, and gas-filled telescopic shock absorbers. Stopping power was by disc brakes. Standard equipment included an energy-absorbing steering column and removable top latch handles for the windshield header.

Mercedes-Benz produced a total of 19,831 units before upgrading to 250 SL status, denoting a myriad of detail changes and a larger 2,496-cubic centimeter engine.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2019