1968 MERCEDES-BENZ 280SL, FULLY SERVICED & SORTED, 76,800 ORIG MILES, BOTH TOPS!

Description

We are proud to offer this 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Convertible ... I have owned this SL for the past 5 years and have had
the car gone through mechanically, as well as made some cosmetic improvements. It drives great and is very original. It is
very well optioned and is presented as it was built - the exterior color is correct, as is the interior and the factory installed options.
These W113 SL's have increased in value dramatically over the past few years and continue to hold a very strong status as
solid collectibles. Don't miss this chance to own this fantastic example!
Additional Details:
(VIN: 11304412002086), Olive Green with Black fabric soft top, Dark Bamboo MB tex interior and body color Pagoda hardtop,
4-spd auto trans., 76,500 indicated miles (believed original), 113 series chassis, 2.8 litre in-line 6 cylinder engine, 4-wheel
disc brakes, original Becker Europa II FM/AM radio, factory Kuhlmeister air conditioning, known ownership from 09/1984. In
Southern Indiana from at least the early 1980's until September 2009 when it was purchased by BMI and sold to a longtime
client in Chicago. After only being driven approximately 350 miles, the vehicle was traded back to BMI in January 2012 on
a 1969 Jaguar XKE, and it has been in the ownership of company President Brian E. Buxton to present day. Over $28,900
spent on the car in the last 5 years of my ownership, completely going through the car mechanically. $22,000.00 of that has
been spent in the last 2 years. The car has been made mechanically 100% and drives exceptionally well. The hardtop has
the original glass, wood and chrome but has fresh paint, a NOS headliner and all new rubber seals. A factory original hardtop
cover is also included. The car has all original sheet metal, chrome bright work, floor pans, factory welds and original textured
firewall material in the engine compartment. It has received 1 repaint in the mid 80's in the stunning original colors and the
soft top was replaced in 2015 - the original framework was retained. The car also retains the original glass, carpeting, dash
board, interior seats, door panels, chrome bright work, radio and a/c system. The odometer & speedometer have been refur-
bished and the black steering wheel and wood on the dash are the only interior portions of the car that are not factory original.
Any cosmetic or mechanical parts of the car that have been purchased or replaced were correct new old stock parts, purchased
from Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, CA. It has not been driven in the rain since at least 1984. The car is not perfect
cosmetically but I have been more concerned with originality than perfection, as I wanted to preserve it but also be able to drive
and enjoy the car without concern. It is rust free and an exceptionally nice driver. It turns heads and garners compliments each
time it is taken out. Accompanying this investment-grade 280SL Roadster are uncut NOS keys, its factory service and Haynes
manuals, owner’s manual and service booklet, copy of the build sheet from Mercedes-Benz and more - including a large amount
of service receipts. A very original and attractive example that will continue to deliver decades of reliable driving enjoyment!
Continental Vanco2 tires (185/R14 C front and rear) with Tread Depth Measurements: DF: 10/32, PF: 10/32, DR: 10/32, PR: 10/32
(10/32 is new tire tread depth),
Factory Options include:
291 - dark olive paint, non-met.
139 - dark bamboo MB Tex interior trim
401 - single seats
416 - factory hardtop
426 - power steering and auto trans
461/491 - US versions and English instruments
503 - exterior driver side mirror
524 - paint preservation
533 - interference suppression without radio set
551 - ivory colored steering wheel
598 - heat insulating glass
641 - white wall tires
669 - mode of packing VE IV
740 - folding black fabric soft top
Some recent major service items include:
01/2017 - Motor out repair for blown head gasket. Speedo out for rebuild. New rubber front spring seats. All new bulbs and wiring for exterior lighting, tach out for rebuild.
01/2016 - New muffler. Complete brake system service and refurbishment incl. new master cylinder.
12/2015 - Various new hoses, bushing, o-rings, seals and gaskets. New radiator and full service of the cooling system.
07 to 09/2015 - Trans service and adjustment. New header seals and new exhaust hangers. Reseal and service rear diff. New driveshaft u-joints. Repack wheel bearings. New fuel pump, points, spark plugs, relays and complete service of the ignition and mechanical fuel injection. Valve adjust and all new gaskets.
05/2015 - New headliner in hardtop and repaint
03/2012 - New Hirsch convertible soft top and seals
03/2010 - 4 new tires and 4-wheel alignment
General Specifications:
Engine manufacturer: Daimler-Benz M 130 E 28
Engine code: M 130
Cylinders: Straight 6
Capacity: 2.8 litre - 2,778 cc (169.524 cu in)
Bore x Stroke: 86.5 x 78.8 mm - 3.41 x 3.1 in
Bore x stroke ratio: 1.1
Valve gear: single overhead camshaft (SOHC), 2 valves per cylinder and 7 crankshaft bearings
Maximum power output: 168 bhp at 5,750 rpm
Maximum torque: 177 ft-lb at 4,500 rpm
Engine construction: wet sump
Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Fuel system: Bosch fuel injection
Front suspension: Double wishbones, coil springs, stabilizing bar
Rear suspension: Swing axle, radius arms, compensating spring, coil springs
Steering: Recirculating ball, servo assisted, ratio: 17.2:1 (3.2 turns)
Brakes: Servo assisted two circuit hydraulic
Front: Disc, 10.75" 273mm
Rear: Disc, 10.99" 279mm
Wheels: 14" Pressed steel disc wheels
Tires: 185 HR 14 Radial
280SL Production:
1967: 143
1968: 6,930
1969: 8,047
1970: 7,935
1971: 830
Total: 23,885
Famous Owners:
Charlton Heston
David Coulthard owns a midnight blue 1971 280SL
Tony Curtis
John Lennon owned a dark blue 1965 230SL, which was for sale for $495,000 in 2011
John Travolta owns a havana brown 1970 280SL, which was stolen in September 2011
Kate Moss owns a metallic blue 280SL
Nico Rosberg
Peter Ustinov
Sophia Loren
Stirling Moss
Colin Powell
History of the 1968-1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL:
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the 190SL sports GT to fill demand inspired by the highly advanced 300SL Gullwing coupes for a lower-priced counterpart. However, Technical Director Fritz Nallinger was soon convinced there was too large a gap between the 300SL and 190SL. So, internal tests began on a prototype roadster based on the W127 passenger-car platform using a 2.2L fuel-injected inline-6 engine. When technical problems delayed development, Nallinger took advantage of the all-new W111 platform to restart the project, and the resulting 230SL roadster was introduced at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show. French designer Paul Bracq’s design departed from the 190’s rounded features with angular contours and a new “Pagoda” removable hardtop named for its upward-curving sides that increased rigidity and expanded window area. The 230SL was widely applauded as a successful compromise between the costly 300SL and the 190SL, one that encouraged Mercedes-Benz to further develop the concept, namely by increasing displacement in subsequent models. Designated by engine size, the 250SL followed in 1966 and the 280SL in 1967. While the 280SL carried on with Bracq’s sleek 2-seat roadster design, luxurious accommodations and solid chassis engineering, it sported a new larger-bore M130 inline-6 engine displacing 2,778cc and rated at a solid 180 HP. Since the model was, like its predecessors, chiefly targeted at the U.S. market, most were produced with the 4-speed automatic transmission featured in this handsome 1968 example.
an enlarged version of the overhead camshaft straight-six that had already proven itself in the 220SE, the W113 also featured fully independent suspension and monocoque construction. The original 230 was succeeded by the 250SL in 1965 and by the 280SL in 1968. These were essentially similar cars but with larger engines and higher levels of comfort and sound deadening. Being the final iteration of the W113, the 280SL is generally appreciated as the most powerful, refined and desirable model in the series. It offers a pleasurable, comfortable driving experience in most any situation, and the rock solid build quality put into these cars offers worry-free motoring as well. Lauded by motoring journalist Bernard Cahier as "one of M-B’s very finest cars."
Mercedes-Benz introduced the 280SL less than a year after the 250SL arrived on the scene, and closed out the “pagoda” SL line in 1971 after nearly 24,000 were built. The 280 was very similar, to its predecessor, using clean, elegant lines, intelligent placement of the wheels in proportion to the rest of the design, and a tall, "pagoda" removable hard top that allowed for ease of ingress and egress.
Like the other W113 cars, the 280 utilized a monocoque chassis, with front suspension courtesy of coils and wishbones, while the rear incorporated a single-pivot swing axle and transverse springs set up to compensate for camber. Four-wheel discs provided braking power.
The engine was a 2.8-liter, overhead-cam, inline-6. Bosch fuel injection was incorporated as well, and horsepower on the sport tourer was rated at 180 – a fair bit more than the 230 and 250 had access to. Torque was also higher at 177 ft-lb. A 4-speed manual transmission was standard, though a new 4-speed automatic transmission was optional, as was a ZF 5-speed manual.
Cabin refinement was high, with acres of leather, plush, supportive seats, big, readable gauges, Blaupunkt radios, and a quality of craftsmanship throughout, including the soft top, which disappeared easily and unobtrusively when not in use. New safety features included an energy-absorbing steering column and three-point seatbelts, while side marker lights are the biggest external visual difference between the 250 and 280.
By the time the 280SL gave way to the next generation SL, designated the R107, it had firmly established itself as one of the finest cars to come from the Stuttgart firm. With timeless, graceful styling, spirited performance and handling, and build quality and reliability second to none, the SL series of cars built from 1963 to 1971 are solid collectibles with plenty to offer.
Bid with confidence - we have been a member of eBay since November 1998 and we have a 100% feedback rating!! We do have a complete collection of photographs that document every aspect of this vehicle, so please request them! And be sure to mail us if you have any questions! Please also keep in mind that this vehicle is being advertised via other retail venues, so we reserve the right to cancel this auction at any time and without notice.
God bless and good luck in bidding!

*This vehicle is located in Southern Indiana - more information or photographs are available upon on request. While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the description of this vehicle, mistakes regarding hp ratings, options, etc. can be made. I have also done my best to be very honest and very critical about the cosmetic and mechanical condition of this vehicle. Of course, it is not always possible to pick-up on every minor detail or flaw. Please keep expectations realistic as this is a pre-owned vehicle, and I have personally found blemishes on brand new un-driven vehicles. If you are an exceptionally detailed oriented person, please contact me to verify any information directly, and I will do my best to specifically photograph anything you request and to answer any of your questions to the best of my ability.