1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda

This Mercedes-Benz 280SL is believed to have lived in America until circa 2007, at which point it made its way to the United Kingdom via a pitstop in Bulgaria to be restored. 

This work was followed by further improvement by Chelsea Cars before the seller bought it as a present for his wife to use at their home in the South of France, a role the combination of effortless elegance, folding roof, and left-hand drive layout enabled it to fulfil for the past 16 years. 

However, despite this long-term ownership, they haven’t been able to use it as much as they would have liked because they weren’t happy taking their two dogs out in the fierce summer heat in a car that wasn’t air-conditioned.

We always say the best cars come from the nicest people, and reasons for not being able to use a car don’t come any better than this, do they?

While it may not have seen frequent use, he’s taken good care of it nonetheless, maintaining it and running it up to temperature on a regular basis. He’s been sure to rotate the tyres too and keep it on a trickle charger in their climate-controlled garage; it was important to him that it was ready at a moment’s notice to be used for a run along the coast to St Tropez or Monaco should they fancy it.

He also had it prepared by INRacing, the same folk who maintain the historic Grand Prix cars he competes in, for an event here in the UK. The event didn’t happen in the end, but he enjoyed taking it to Goodwood before it was transported back to France for them to continue to enjoy there. 

Now re-imported and registered with the DVLA, ‘CYY 460G’ also comes with a factory hardtop.

And why is he selling it?

Simply because they’re moving back to the UK, where their garage is smaller than the one they have in France, hence this reluctant sale.

The Pagoda presents very well, not least because of its Arctic White coachwork. Paint code 650, it was resprayed in Bulgaria in 2008 and is holding up well with a decent shine and above-average panel alignment.

There’s a distinct absence of dents and dinks too, and no ripples along the flanks either – and its life in the South of France has contributed to a marked absence of rust; we hesitate to describe any car as ‘rust-free’ because there will always be some, even if only on the fasteners and underbody steel brackets and components, but this is closer than most. 

The black folding roof furls and unfurls easily, and it seals well when it is raised. It is generally in a good condition but there are a few small holes along its lower edges along with some mildew across some of its panels. The plastic rear window is also free of serious damage, although it does have some storage marks on it.

The matching Arctic White hardtop is in good shape too with no obvious damage. Fitted with proper glass windows, it turns the SL into a very creditable coupé; imagine taking this to your Swiss chalet with skis on the roof and winter tyres fitted to your spare set of steelies.

Speaking of which, the tyres are matching 205/70R14 Michelin Harmony, and while all have a good depth of tread they are starting to show perishing cracks between the tread blocks.

Nevertheless, we will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. 

It sits on very good steel wheels that have been decorated with very good chrome-and-Arctic-White hubcaps. Free of scuffs, scrapes and other damage, they tell of a careful driver, a tale the unmarked four corners support.

The chromework is in good shape too, with only moderate tarnishing and pitting and no damage, peeling chrome, or rust spots. 

The lamp lenses, including the iconic Bosch ‘fishbowl’ headlamps, are free of cracks and chips, and the badges are bright and shiny.

As for flaws, the edge of the bonnet is a slightly different shade to the rest, and it has some bubbling to the finish near the chrome grille. The nearside front wing has cracked paint along its top edge plus a touched-up scratch, and the nearside rear wing also has cracked paint plus a touched-up chip on the wheelarch and a scratch in front of the wheel. 

The panel around the rear numberplate and the offside front wing both have cracked paint too, and the latter panel also has a touched-up chip. The nearside front wing, offside rear wing, and the offside front wing are all missing the rubber trim that sits within the chrome strip.

The roof has black sealant around it and the paint along some of its extremities isn’t to the same standard as elsewhere. There is also bubbling to the rear valance along its edge, the windscreen is delaminating, and the side markers have faded at different rates.

If the exterior is about understated grace, the interior cuts a little bit looser, with a playful use of colours and textures that’s as pleasant to use as it is to look at.

The huge white steering wheel is probably its most obvious feature, a piece of architecture that’s supported by a white-and-red dashboard whose American influences are clear.

The seats are covered in MB Tex, Mercedes’ proprietary alternative to leather that’s both very convincing and seemingly indestructible, as you can see here. 

The same red material is used on the dashboard and  door cards. All are in an excellent condition with no rips, tears, holes, or other signs of aging. The seats are also firm and springy in that way that Mercedes has made its own.

The carpets look like high-quality replacements and fit beautifully, especially around the exquisitely crafted gearlever and surround. Of course, they haven’t got any significant wear on them yet either, only a very few modest marks in the driver’s footwell where heels have rubbed. 

The centre tray is wooden, and the carpet in this appears to be original as it is somewhat faded. It looks terrific though, and we salute whoever decided to keep it; so many of us are attracted to classic cars and motorcycles because of the history and romance they bring with them, and it takes a clear mind to successfully juggle restoration and preservation.

This meticulous approach means the only flaws we spotted are some light marks to the driver’s door card, sun-faded door pulls, modest wear to the header rail at the top of the windscreen, and a very fine spider’s web of cracks to the steering wheel – and given the latter doesn’t appear to be structural, these could all be classified as a developing patina and enjoyed rather than eradicated. 

Stuff you might actually want to sort out is probably limited to a floppy driver’s sunvisor and some aged wood trim on the nearside top of the dashboard. 

There are a few stains on the inside of the folding roof too, but given the holes in its exterior, we suspect replacing that was already on your To Do list. 

Other things to point out include upgraded speakers to make the most of the (untested) Becker Mexico radio-cassette player, the presence of the factory chassis number on the nearside A-pillar, and what seem to be the original trio of warning stickers under the boot lid.

The boot floor also appears to be good and solid, and the luggage space hosts a full-size spare wheel and tool kit as well as a set of high-quality overmats and the sort of spares you’d take with you on a touring holiday.

The engine bay is neat and clean without being overly fussy; this is an engine you’ll enjoy working on and showing off without being too concerned about using it when the weather’s poor. (Although if you did take it out in the rain it would probably be the first its seen in the past 15 years…)

The sound insulation on the bulkhead is also in an impressively good condition, and while we acknowledge this is a small detail the quality of the car is often revealed in these small details, isn’t it?

As you’d expect given the folk who fettled it so recently, it starts on the button, idles solidly, and revs very nicely. The fuel-injection also makes it fuss-free even from cold, something that shouldn’t be underestimated. 

Turning to the underside, the underseal has been topped up in places, but this seems to have been done to protect rather than to obscure. It could be further refreshed in areas where spots of rust breaking through but these appear to be limited and superficial from what we can see. 

Should you want to check for yourself, please contact us to make an appointment and we’ll make sure the kettle is on when you arrive.

Previously registered in Washington State after leaving the Mercedes-Benz factory in around November 1968, this 280SL is thought to have entered the UK in 2010. The recent Vehicle History Check is clear, and the history file includes paperwork from its time there as well as expired MoT certificates, and invoices for servicing and maintenance since 2011.

The SL doesn’t have a current MoT certificate. 

The Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda is universally adored, which brings its own problems, not least its value: We think you’ll have to stump up somewhere between £45,000 and £55,000 to make this one yours.

But that’s a bit less than it would have cost you a few years ago, so now might just be a canny time to buy.

Besides, the cost of any classic car can only be calculated after you’ve sold it and cars of this quality are always in demand, so you might be pleasantly surprised when the time does come to let it go.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.