1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL: Fully Documented, Beautiful Finish, Original Example

Make:	Mercedes-Benz
Model:	SL-Class
SubModel:	280SL
Type:	Convertible
Trim:	2 Door Convertible
Year:	1968
Mileage:	93,673
VIN:	11304412001390
Color:	Horizon Blue
Transmission:	Automatic
Drive type:	RWD
Interior color:	Blue Leather
Vehicle Title:	Clear
Item location:	Santa Barbara, California, United States

Extras

Leather Seats, Convertible

Listed by

Private seller

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Description of 1968 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 280SL

Offered for sale is our absolutely stunning. original. all numbers matching. entirely solid and beautifully finished 1968 Mercedes 280SL finished in gorgeous and factory correct Horizon Blue (DB 304) over a Blue leather interior (Code 245) and retaining an entirely original. rust and accident free body. including its original fenders (evidenced by the existing factory spot welds) and original. numbers matching stamped hood. Incredibly well documented. the car also comes with all of its original books and manuals. toolkit. spare tire placard. jack. wheel chock. lug wrench. Protect-O-Plate. original data card. original window sticker. original purchase order. original DMV sale certificate and assorted service receipts. all in excellent condition. Most importantly. the virtually complete service booklet is heavily stamped. substantiating the 93k original miles showing on the car’s odometer. A Mrs. Cynthia Howard and her husband Leonard purchased the car new from Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan. NY on May 24th. 1968. immediately bringing it back to their home in York Harbor. Maine. It would remain there – garaged and only driven in fair weather months – for more than 28 years. at which point. in 1996 and with some 79k original miles. an elderly Mrs. Howard sold the car to Mr. Bill Soule. a Mercedes collector from Hanover. Massachusetts. Also ensuring its proper care and maintenance. he would in turn own the car for 12 years. selling it in 2008 to Mr. and Mrs. John Culhane of Kiawah Island. South Carolina as an entirely original example. With completely original examples valued considerably less than they are today. the Culhanes spent a substantial amount having the car professionally repainted in its factory correct Horizon Blue and having much of its interior reupholstered with new leather seat trim. new door panels and new carpets. all in the correct materials and professionally installed. Along with basic and routine mechanical maintenance. they also had a Bud’s Benz air conditioning unit installed. fully functional for a comfortable driving experience. but also easily removable for the purist seeking originality. The result of Mrs. Howard’s and Mr. Soule’s long term fastidious care. as well as Mr. and Mrs. Culhane’s careful reconditioning. is a truly beautiful example. both mechanically and cosmetically. The car’s factory correct Horizon Blue finish is high quality. entirely consistent. deep and lustrous and marred only by the most insignificant of imperfections. none of which appear in any of the pictures or detract from the car’s considerable appeal. The car retains all of its original sheet metal (including the original stamped hood and factory spot welded fenders) and the body is entirely straight. free of any evidence of accidents or bodywork with factory correct and consistent panels fits and gaps. All of the chrome is exceptional. free of any dents or significant wear. and the glass and rubber is all in excellent condition. The color-matched hubcaps are free of any noticeable flaws and the wheels are wrapped in brand new white wall tires. Lastly. both the car’s undercarriage is in exceptional original condition. entirely solid and free of any evidence of patching or corrosion. a true testament to its owners’ high level of care. The car’s interior is equally as clean. the reupholstered blue leather seats. German square weave carpets and correct door panels showing literally no wear. the original dash and other interior panels in excellent original condition. as is the original interior wood trim. The car also retains its original Becker Europa TR radio and its automatic antenna. both of which are still functioning without fault. The original hard top is excellent condition both inside and out and the dark blue soft top shows virtually no wear. retaining a clear plastic window. One of the Mercedes W113's most appreciated aspects is that they are truly mechanically modern enough for everyday use on today's roads. and while this car certainly lives up to that standard. it clearly has always been a well looked after weekend driver. Completely numbers matching (per the data card and stamped engine block). the original 2. 8L engine starts effortlessly. idles consistently. pulling strongly and smoothly through each of the automatic transmission’s gears with excellent. even compression across all cylinders. The car drives and brakes straight and true. the suspension is tight and the ride quality is entirely comfortable whether tooling through town. winding through the canyons or bombing down the highway. Having been recently serviced with new motor mounts. we’d not hesitate to drive this car anywhere – a true “turn key” example. The market has never been hotter for W113 Pagoda SLs and in terms of what collectors are looking for in investment grade cars. this entirely honest. mechanically strong and cosmetically striking 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL checks all of the right boxes: completely original body (including stamped hood and factory spot-welded fenders). extremely original undercarriage. numbers matching original drive train. charming. era specific and factory correct color combination. exceptional aesthetic condition. wonderful well-cared-for provenance. incredible documentation and a thorough inventory of original books. manuals. tools and accessories. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a weekend enthusiast. this stunning 280SL deserves your serious consideration. Please Note: While 24 pictures appear on this site. we have an additional 20 pictures that can be sent to any interested buyer upon request. We want this car to go to great home and would be happy to answer any questions. so please feel free to email us or call us at 805-202-4557. You can also visit us online at GoodmanReed. Goodman Reed Motorcars We’ve always had an appreciation for classic European cars and over the years have created an eclectic personal collection. We only buy cars that we’d personally be interested in owning and generally only sell them to make room for other acquisitions. That time has come for this Mercedes (if the price is right. of course – this isn’t a fire sale). We try to give accurate descriptions of the cars we’re selling. but we’re enthusiasts. not experts. and we encourage and are happy to help facilitate personal or professional inspections. But please do so before bidding. as the alternative harms our ability to make sales to other interested parties who have done their proper due diligence before bidding. For U. S. buyers a 10% non-refundable deposit is required within 3 days of the auction’s end. the balance to be paid within 7 days of the auction’s end. Foreign buyers must pay in full within 7 business days of the auction’s end. Buyer is responsible for shipping. however we’d be more that happy to help with recommendations and arrangements. The car is listed locally and we reserve the right to end the auction at any time should it sell prior to auction’s end. Thanks for your interest.