280SL Pagode 1969 for sale

Biarritz Sport & Classic Cars (BSCC) is pleased to present this Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda. Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1963, the W113 series succeeds the 190 SL and 300 SL. Designed by Paul Bracq and Béla Barényi, the new SL breaks away from the taut lines of its predecessors to adopt a style that is both pure, elegant, and decidedly modern. Its concave roof, designed to improve visibility and structural rigidity, quickly earned it the nickname "Pagoda," in reference to the Asian architecture that inspired it. The ultimate evolution of the lineage, the 280 SL, introduced in 1967, marks the pinnacle of the concept. Its M130 inline six-cylinder engine of 2,778 cm³ develops 170 SAE horsepower and offers generous torque, perfectly suited for the manual transmission. Reliability, comfort, and build quality make it one of the most accomplished convertibles of the 1960s. This example was delivered in 1969 to the Royal-Élysées importer and today shows 74,800 km. It has the original maintenance booklet where it was serviced within the Mercedes network until 1973. Since then, the car has covered few kilometers but has a complete maintenance dossier from 2001, with over €68,000 of work carried out. Between 2001 and 2020, it was maintained at Erviti Bayonne. Then, starting in 2020, monitoring was carried out at Bracq Héritage, the SL specialist run by Paul Bracq's son. The interventions include in particular the replacement of the injection pump in 2021, the complete replacement of the electrical wiring in 2020, and the installation of a stainless steel exhaust system. The hard-top was also repainted in 2024. This 280 SL is in impeccable condition and is ready to hit the road. Soft, precise, and balanced, the chassis of the 280 SL combines power steering, four disc brakes, and independent suspension on all four wheels: technical features that still make it a surprisingly easy car to drive, both for cruising and urban use.