MERCEDES 280 SL 1971 ****THE GOLD STANDARD.......LOW MILES.*****

HISTORY OF THIS CAR

This is a rare and drop-dead gorgeous 1971 Mercedes 280 SL coupe/convertible with a 2. 8 liter fuel injected six-cylinder engine and four-speed automatic transmission.   It likely is one of the nicest and most well-preserved original specimens of its kind available anywhere in the world.   This car will no doubt prove a fabulous investment for the Mercedes 280 SL enthusiast or simply a great daily driver or weekend toy for the discerning classic car owner.   You will not be disappointed.

This is a two-owner car that has been meticulously maintained for its entire 42-year life.   Our family acquired this beautiful “Pagoda” from the original owners. who were our next door neighbors in Florida for decades. so we know where it has been since day one and how lovingly it has always been cared for and pampered.   

The car is the “USA” version (not the “Euro” version).   Standard features on this car that are were typically not on the Euro version for this model year include:

-          four wheel power disc brakes

-          tachometer

-          wood center console tray

-          wood trim on top of dash

-          side fender marker reflectors (illuminating)

-          soft-style map pockets on each door

-          three-point seat belts

-          Kienzle clock

-          hazard lights

-          sealed beam headlights

-          single master key

Some additional original and optional features on this car include:

-          sandy-beige metallic (paint code 467H)

-          removable hardtop

-          air conditioning

-          power steering

-          headrests (not on Euro)

-          two chrome strip “garnish moldings” on the hard top (not on Euro)

-         bumper guards front and rear (not on Euro)

CONDITION: 

This car is a true head turner and is in incredible unrestored condition.   It has and has always had a solid original and completely RUST-FREE body. chassis. panels. floorboards. undercarriage. trunk. and all throughout. which is extremely rare for a car of this vintage.   Unlike the overwhelming majority of 280SL pagodas described as "rust-free. this car has never had any rust mediation or replacement metal and needs none.   You just don't find them like this.   This car has no history of accident or damage whatsoever and has no dents. no chips. and no scratches.   This car has always been professionally serviced. garage kept. and totally babied (never taken out in rainy or wet conditions).   It has the factory original Mercedes engine and transmission. which are both running strong and smooth.   The car starts instantly. shifts effortlessly. and drives beautifully at all speeds.  

Fender/body gaps and lines are true and correct.   The original factory spot welds on all fenders are clearly visible as are matching numbers on the engine. transmission. and all factory-stamped body parts throughout. evidencing the car's originality.   Even the factory original embossed firewall pad is still in place as is the original trunk mat. spare tire cover. and even the original plastic insert around the gearshift (that is often broken or missing).   Electrical. lights. windows. wipers. dash lighting. speedometer. tachometer. odometer. fuel and other gauges are all factory original and in excellent working order.  

The only non-original item on the dash is the radio.   The factory Becker radio (included with sale for purists) still works fine but was replaced about two years ago with a new Pioneer radio with CD and USB port.   The factory original A/C unit (FrigiKing) blows cold and works well as does the original heater.   The battery (Mercedes brand) is almost new and a convenient shut off switch was added recently so that it may be simply and easily turned off to preserve charge for extended periods if necessary without the need for a battery tender.

Custom color-matching alloy wheels added by the original owner are in excellent condition.   Also included with sale are the factory original steel wheels with color matching original dish-style hubcaps and beauty trim rings (shown in pic).   The suspension. shocks. and exhaust system are in excellent condition and the car recently passed emissions testing.   The car was also recently serviced and tuned and the brakes completely overhauled.   The tires (Michellin) are like new with nearly full thread and provide a soft ride (the factory original tires were Continental).

The car glistens in the original factory champagne gold color (which Mercedes calls “sandy beige metallic” - paint code 467H) and is truly stunning with a deep luster that looks showroom new.   Of all the available original factory colors. this one (which was an optional upgrade) is quite rare and perhaps best captures the elegance and style of the Pagoda.   The matching-color removable hardtop is in excellent condition. having spent nearly all of its life removed and tarp-covered on a hardtop storage stand (included with sale) and it fits into place perfectly.   The chrome throughout is all original and still shines brilliantly.  

The black interior is also factory original and equally nice.   The original seats still look great (no stains. rips. or tears).   The carpeting is the original gray/black German square weave and in excellent condition (having nearly always been covered with a layer of protective mats).   The upholstery and wood trim on the dash are also all original and in superb condition.

For the true enthusiast or collector. the fact that this car is solid and has always been completely rust-free (even in common trouble spot areas) and has been so well-preserved will undoubtedly make it even more valuable as time goes by.   The market for original Mercedes 280 SLs has begun to take off in the past few years and solid-body rust-free specimens like this one are highly coveted and extremely hard to find.   A fully restored 280 SL sold at the Amelia Island auction last month for $121. 00.   A concours 230 SL sold at auction last year in California for more than $200. 00.   This car is not a restoration (even though it may look like one) and is not concours level. but is extremely nice.   The high value for this car on NADA is over $100. 00 and if you see this golden beauty in person you will appreciate why even more.  

 Included with purchase are the original owner's manuals. nbsp;extensive service documentation. the original metal data tag. nbsp;original leather pouch tool roll. and the original jack equipment. wheel stop. and spare tire cover.

The descriptions provided herein are to the best of seller's knowledge and are not guarantees or warranties.   Although the car is in incredibly nice condition for its age. please note that it is not a new car. not concours or museum quality. and not a restoration even though it may look like one.   This car is 42-years old. has been used and driven. and as such will have some imperfections commensurate with age and usage.   It is being sold AS IS. WHERE IS. without warranty of any kind. express or implied.    .

PAYMENT TERMS

Bank to bank wire transfer is the required payment method as it is the safest and fastest-clearing method of payment for both buyer and seller.  The vehicle and title will not be released or conveyed until seller receives documented confirmation from seller's bank that the full payment of funds by buyer has completely cleared and is available in seller's account.  

Please ask any questions prior to auction close.   Inspections are encouraged and welcome but must be done prior to the end of the auction. not after it ends.  A non-refundable $1000 deposit via Paypal is required within 24 hours of auction close and the winning bidder MUST contact the seller within this period to arrange shipping and payment details.   The full balance is required within 3 days of auction close.  Sale is final and there are no refunds. credits. adjustments or returns.   Shipping expenses and arrangements for shipping or pickup are solely the buyer's responsibility.   Serious inquiries and offers only. please.   Do not bid or make offers unless you have the funds available.   Also. please be advised that the seller reserves the right to terminate this auction at any time.

Also published at eBay.com

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