1969 Mercedes Benz 280SL Convertible Automatic 2.8L Inline 6

1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Convertible Additional Info:

A very well presented 280SL Pagoda having just 4 owners from new! It would spend the majority of life with its first owner for the first 45 years, before a compassionate restoration would be commissioned by the last two owners! Showing just 61,073 miles today, it continues to impress on the road and should be a strong consideration for the driver enthusiast! Wonderfully documented!
As the collector car market goes up and down, some special vehicles prove that a down economy just doesn't affect them the same as others. The Mercedes Benz 280SL roadster, or Pagoda, is definitely one of those vehicles. It has been on a soaring price increase over the last 10 years that is truly remarkable! And for good reason! When one looks at infamous Mercedes autos of the past, such as the SSK, 500K, 300SL Gullwing and Roadster, you can easily find beautiful cars from each decade that have become a multi 6-figure investment. This is why many investors who have missed their opportunity have turned their attention to the 1970's generation of Mercedes SL's! These stunning cars offer superb design, increased driver refinements, and better performance to their owners making them not just excellent investment choices to hang on to, but wonderful cars to drive on today's roads!
The St. Louis Car Museum is very excited to offer this number's matching 1969 Mercedes Benz 280SL roadster finished in its factory correct White over original Black MB Tex interior with matching Black soft top. This car is a nearly untouched original example with exception to a mild exterior restoration! It was sold originally by Jain Hain of Charleston, WV and later traveled with her to Louisville, KY by July 1993. It would appear she had the car repainted at some point in her care. As she grew older, it would go into garage storage the fall of 1995 when she was driving it less and less. At the age of 91 years old, she decided to sell her prized Mercedes-Benz 280SL in June 2014 with only 59,737 miles on the odometer to a connoisseur in Los Angeles, CA. He quickly sold it to another Mercedes enthusiast from Pacific Palisades, CA just 6 months later. This third owner would commence a necessary refurbishment of the mechanicals and the auxiliary hardtop.
She selected L&M Motors Inc, an exclusive Mercedes-Benz service center based in Los Angeles area, to perform the necessary tasks in January 2015. They would replace all four brake calipers, rotors, pad linings, and hoses; install a new front crankshaft seal; new water pump, rubber hoses, and all belts; new engine and transmission mounts new hood torsion bar, strap & bracket; all four shock absorbers; valve cover gasket, air filter, and perform a complete tune-up. New 1" radial whitewall tires were installed that same month, and a new starter with harness in August 2015.
The original interior upholstery shows very well considering its age, although the hardtop was in storage for so many years, she opted to have it completely renewed with new headliner, all new seals & rubbers, chrome moldings, latches & bushings, and quarter glass window seals. And at no small cost either! This passionate California owner would cherish this Mercedes-Benz until April 2016 and sell it with just 60,546 miles to a local St. Louis cardiologist.
He would continue a methodical attempt to preserve the originality of his lovely, low mileage investment with perfecting the mechanicals with the help of GLB Motorworks beginning with a new stainless steel exhaust system, new fuel pump & hoses, along with fresh oil cooler hoses. It was determined after closer inspection, the original floor boards had suffered typical rust perforation after moisture became trapped within the original undercoating and sheet metal. This is a sad, but common effect of Mercedes-Benz's original efforts to preserve their vehicles. GLB Motorworks would perform a fully photo documented removal of all four floor panels and replace them for brand new in February 2017. Everything would be welded professionally and fully seam sealed to perfection! The new interior floor would then receive a Dynamat underlayment and all new German weave interior carpeting! The results are excellent and done to a high standard so no future owner will have anything to worry about.
The following year, the dash wood trim would be replaced, a newly refurbished steering wheel installed, and fresh service to include new fluids including the rear differential and fresh valve cover gasket. And just this last year in April 2019, the gearbox was rebuilt with new governor and drive gear assembly. Even the factory radio was restored with new Becker speaker to ensure all features remain in functional form. (Note: we will be inspecting the air conditioning system prior to delivery to its new owner with intentions to have it in working order.)
Options include USA version VDO English gauges, 4-speed automatic transmission, Mercedes Frigiking air conditioning, power brakes, power steering, Becker Europa II AM/FM radio, auxiliary hardtop with garnish moldings, front & rear bumper guards, whitewall tires, outside rear view mirror, and carpeted floor mats!
This car will come with two sets of keys, service records back to 1976, and spare tire, trunk mat, jack, and wrench. Chances to purchase cars surviving in this condition are growing extremely difficult! Act quickly as many cars of this caliber are sought after throughout the world! The St. Louis Car Museum reserves the right to end this listing at any time. Please feel welcome to call with any questions!