1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL: A Fantastically-Documented and Very Original 4-Speed

1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL 4-Speed s/n 113.044-10-003936, ngine no. 130.983.10.001076 Medium Red with Black Interior

Representing Mercedes-Benz's trend towards producing more usable and practical sports cars, he 230/250/280SL line was meant to replace both the 190SL and the illustrious 300SL. The car was a comfortable two-seater that was to be neither too big nor too expensive, nd exhibited excellent roadholding thanks to the innovative and sophisticated rear suspension design. Built to Mercedes' usually high standards and employing excellent visibility, he cars were popular and sold well. The cars were continuously developed, ith the 280SL being the ultimate version of the car, ith its larger more powerful engine and all around disc brakes.

This particular car is a wonderfully unmolested example that has exceptional integrity. The car was originally finished in medium red with black interior and soft top, he color combination it wears today. The original options included the following:
401 Single Seats
416 hardtop mounted
461 instruments and mileage reading in English
491 US version
503 outside rear view mirror left
515 Becker AM/FM radio Europa
524 pain coat preservation
600 trim strips on hardtop
641 whitewall tires
669 spare wheel
835 coco mats

Sold new on 23 August 1968 to Stanley Schroeder, ho was stationed at the Point Mugu Naval Air Station near Oxnard, alifornia, he car was regularly serviced at Turnbull & Gamble in Oxnard, alifornia until 1970, rom which point on, t was serviced at either Smythe European in San Jose, alifornia, r Hans Nissen in Santa Clara, alifornia. Schroeder sold the car on 19 August 1972 to Steve Wilson of Soquel, alifornia, ho eventually registered the car to his business, estern Research Industries, nc. of Capitola, alifornia on 24 July 1978. He maintained the car regularly, nd in 1984, he engine was replaced at Stahl Motors, he Mercedes-Benz dealer in Monterey, alifornia. The original engine is included with the car. He retained the car until giving it to his niece in the early 1990s, ho took it with her when she moved to Western Massachusetts in 1994. She drove the car sparingly, overing just 300 miles between 1994 and 2010, nd the car was recommissioned in 2010. 

The car is in excellent cosmetic condition. Aside from the paint and some of the weather stripping, he car is extremely original. The body is wonderfully straight and solid, etaining the headlight notches and factory spot welds. The fit and panel operation is exemplary throughout and the paintwork was done to high standards and remains excellent. The chrome appears to be original and is very nice considering this, ut does have some light pitting. The glass appears to be original throughout and there are some chips in the windscreen. The top was recently replaced with correct Haartz canvas. The car retains its early 280SL features such as clear front indicator lenses, ed rear lenses, nd lack of headrests.

The interior is in excellent original condition. The MB Tex upholstery has never been renewed and has survived very well, ith light wear only. The steering wheel is like new, nd the car has period Kangol 3-point safety belts. The dashboard is excellent, oth the upholstered and painted areas. The chrome trim, witches, nstruments, nd controls are also in excellent original condition, s are the door panels. The original Becker radio is in place and still works. The wood is in very good condition, ith some aging but no major issues, hile the carpets, lso original, re showing some wear on the floor mat sections while the remaining carpets are in very good condition.

The engine compartment is tidy and correct throughout, ut not detailed to show standards. There are plenty of signs of maintenance, nd the original heat pad is present and has survived well, articularly given how they tend to deteriorate in these cars. The hood is stamped with the last four digits of the car's body number, 417. The trunk presents nicely as well, ith correct rubber mat and spare tire cover. The paint is in excellent condition and the trunk floor is structurally and cosmetically excellent.

The car runs and drives well. It starts easily and the combination of the motor and the gearing provides impressively quick acceleration, marked difference over an automatic example. The gearbox shifts well and the clutch is easy to modulate and smooth in its operation. The brakes are impressively effective for a car of any age, ut particularly remarkable for a car from 1960s. The chassis and suspension provide sure-footed handling and the car is genuinely engaging to drive.

The car is extremely complete, ith coco mats, ervice records back to the late 1970s, ack, ug wrench, ool roll, ools, nd one of the most complete books sets we have ever encountered with a W113. It includes the following items:
Owners books pouch
Owner's manual
Stamped service book, 5 stamps from the late 1960s and early 1970s
Mercedes service directory for Africa, sia, ustralia, nd America
Parts book
Genuine Mercedes detailing supplies brochure
Original build cards
Original Becker guarantee card
Becker dealer directory
Hirshmann antenna wupe
Bosch dealer directory
Original Mercedes full model line brochures, mall and large
Technical data for passenger cars book

This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a wonderfully undisturbed 280SL that was in the same family for nearly forty years. Structurally outstanding and fundamentally unrestored, he car is exceptionally honest and well-documented. Additionally, t is a comparatively rare manual transmission example, nd drives extremely well and is highly complete. Consequently, his would be an extremely difficult car to duplicate, nd will appeal to the sophisticated enthusiast or collector seeking a special 280SL that emphasizes originality.

For a Full Set of Photos: Visit http://www.fantasyjunction.com Telephone: +1 510 653 7555 | Fax: +1 510 653 9754 Showroom Location: 1145 Park Avenue | Emeryville, A 94608