Why the Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Is Still Coveted by Collectors

In June of 1969, Road & Track’s cover feature compared four new GTs: the Porsche 911T, the Jaguar E-Type, the Chevrolet Corvette, and a Mercedes-Benz 280 SL. No doubt overshadowed by the sporting performance and sexy profiles of the competition, the Mercedes came in last with the publication’s editors. “Generalizing about its qualities,” they said of the 280 SL, “it was the most comfortable, offered the least performance, had the busiest engine, and the largest price tag.”

Time has been more kind to the 280 SL in the intervening years since that review, largely because the performance and comfort of any car more than five decades old can’t remotely compare to that of even the cheapest modern econobox. With things like zero-to-60 mph times becoming irrelevant, the 280 SL can instead be appreciated for its enduring style and charming character.

The satisfaction of just closing its door is reason enough to want an example of the 280 SL, which was the last iteration of the model commonly called the “Pagoda,” named for the concave roof of the removable hardtop that, when stored in the owner’s garage, allows the SL to become a handsome convertible.

The 300 SL and 190 SL had ceased production in 1963, which was the same year the next-gen SL was introduced. Those former cars cut quite a glamorous profile, but the new-at-the-time Model W 113—as it was known internally—had an altogether more stoic appearance. Reserved and hardly flashy, it was the anthesis of the rounded SLs that preceded it, and it set the stage for two identical-looking successors.

Powered by a 2.3-liter, SOHC inline-six engine, the 230 SL was built through 1967, then it became the 250 SL from 1967 through 1968. Importantly, the latter car came with a more robust 2.5-liter engine using a seven-bearing crankshaft instead of one with only four main bearings. The 280 SL was built from 1968 through 1971, with more than half of the almost 24,000 examples made coming stateside. Its 2.8-liter engine uses mechanical fuel injection and develops about 177 hp. Most that were destined for the United States were ordered with a four-speed automatic transmission, though a four-speed manual, and in Europe, a rare five-speed option, were available.

The 280 SL is the most popular of the three models within the W 113 series. Thanks to its classic good looks, comfort, friendly driving manners, and ease of ownership, the 280 SL is an international favorite among collectors of 1960s-era sports and GT cars. Mercedes-Benz offered some delicious and sophisticated colors in the day, and it’s hard to do better than a Tobacco Brown or  Light Ivory SL with a Cognac or Parchment leather interior. Properly restoring a 280 SL can be an eye-wateringly expensive proposition, as the cars, while simple in appearance, are fastidiously made and require equally fastidious attention to detail when being rebuilt from the ground up.

Smart money buys an example that’s already been restored and ready to drive. Prices start from about $70,000 for a car in good condition, and can be twice as much for one in excellent condition. A concours-quality car can easily crest $225,000, and options like A/C and a manual—especially a rare five-speed—can add 25 percent or more to the price.

Click here for more photos of this 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL “Pagoda.”

Credit: robbreport.com