1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL automatic

1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL automatic transmission

Not a museum example or garage queen but a very beautiful and solid driver that runs well, is in good mechanical condition and needs nothing. At the same time this could also be the ideal potential restoration candidate. Recently purchased from the California lady who owned and drove it for the last 20+ years. European SL version as evidenced by euro styleBosch Lichteinheit headlights, deletion of U.S. bumper guards, absence of U.S. side-marker reflectors/lights and speedometer/odometer marked and measured in kilometers instead of miles.

The engine is the original 2.8 liter 6-cylinder motor with Bosch mechanical injection. Neat and very clean. It starts instantly and runs very well. It accelerates smoothly and feels strong. The transmission shifts smoothly. The gear shift linkage was just replaced, and the gear selection is firm and correct. There was some transmission repair work done a decade or so ago, documented, but it is the original transmission.

Factory original color Signal Red was repainted at some point in the not-recent past, more than 20 years ago. Paintwork shows some flaws in the form of minor chipping and cracking. No dents, body panels and chrome work are straight and in good condition. Some small chips along the edge of the doors and a repair done many years back is apparent on the driver's door.

Seats were just reupholstered in beautiful OEM grade Black leather and high quality Black full carpeting was also recently completed.Trunk has also been fully carpeted in the same OEM quality material as the interior of the car.The dashboard is in good condition.The installed radio is a Pioneer AM/FM/CD but the original 1970 Becker Europa radio is boxed up and is included in the sale.

Air conditioning system works great and cools effectively and efficiently.

There are two tops. Both tops are included. Hard top is in good condition with some slight paint flaws. Convertible canvas top is in good working condition. Interior is black and looks really great.

Undercarriage is mostly clean and rust free; there is a minor potential problem area where the floor pan meets the toe board on the passenger side but it could be easily repaired.

The four hub caps are original to the car.The wheels are the steel 14" original rims. The tires are nearly new Michelin RainForce 185 R 14.There is a good spare tire in the trunk.The original Mercedes-logo locking gas cap is in place.

Odometer showing 37,235 kilometers after flipping past 100,000 kilometers (137,235 kilometers = 85,274 miles) has not worked for the last two years according to the previous owner of 20+ years so total mileage is unknown.