1970 Mercedes-Benz W113 280SL

A very well sorted 1970 280SL with a 4-speed manual transmission, manufactured in July 1970 for the US market. Finished in metallic silver with black leather interior, this left-hand-drive Pagoda has been treated to plenty of investment in the right areas over the last few years making it an ideal candidate for exploring the continent, or a little closer to home if you’d prefer.

As is the case with most Pagodas, this 280SL has been given a fresh lick of paint at some point in its recent past, the metallic silver bodywork presenting extremely well as a result, including the matching Hard Top. Step into the cabin and you’ll be greeted with a gorgeous black leather interior in simply astonishing condition; seats still retaining the correct shape, leather that barely shows its age, wood veneers that look like they were made yesterday. Underneath it’s the same story, with sills and floors in fine order throughout, and an engine bay that looks like it belongs in a car that’s done half the distance. The photos go some way to telling the story, but this car needs to be seen in the metal, and driven, to be fully appreciated. A manual transmission 280SL is relatively uncommon, especially when this car hails from the USA where they aren’t generally fans of the “stick shift”. We love them though, as the revs climb up beyond 3,000 the sound of the engine opens up into a beautiful six-cylinder growl.

Manufactured in July 1970, our 280SL was supplied to the USA as evidenced by a confirmation letter issued in 2024 by the fine folks at Mercedes Benz UK’s homologation department, and the North America Dealer Directory, which you’ll find in the booklet park along with the original instruction manual. Additionally, an enormous stack of invoices evidencing thousands upon thousands spent in maintenance and repairs (much of that, here at SLSHOP) to ensure smooth and reliable running, this SL being no stranger to European touring at the hands of its most recent keeper – the reason he opted for a left-hand drive model specifically. Buying a US-market Pagoda ordinarily means you’re burdened with the somewhat clumsy looking headlights, side repeaters, and bumpers with enormous overriders to meet the strict regulations of the period. Pleasingly this one has been converted into Euro-spec, giving the car that clean, sophisticated look, exactly as Paul Bracq intended.

This W113 has been blessed with a huge amount of investment in recent years meaning it’s ripe and ready for the next chapter in a new home. As a left-hand drive vehicle, it lends itself nicely to European touring, but that doesn’t mean a Sunday drive to the pub, or a local meet, is out of the question either – the condition of this car is such that you’ll want to show it off at any given opportunity.