In the world of classic European sports cars of the 1960s and early 70s, there are so many choices that it can be difficult to pick a single car to focus on. Some of these are Porsche 356 and 911s, Jaguar E-types, Aston Martins, Ferraris, Maseratis, and BMWs.
Each of these cars have their benefits but many also have their issues. Many are expensive to maintain and repair, they tend to be somewhat primitive when compared to cars of the 1980s and beyond, and quite a few are so expensive that they are available to only a few collectors.
There is an interesting car out there that combines classic elegance, a more modern driving experience, reliability, and is still somewhat affordable. These cars are the legendary W113 Mercedes Benz SL roadsters also known as the Mercedes ‘Pagoda’ roadsters due to the design and shape of the removable hardtop.
Featured on AutoHunter, the online platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is one of these cars, a 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL.
According to the auction listing for this car it comes with both its factory hardtop as well as the retractable soft top. Note that almost every W113 Mercedes roadster includes these items. So if you are looking at another car that is missing one of the tops, unless it is what’s called the California coupe model which was only delivered with the removable hardtop, all other W113 SL cars delivered to the U.S included both.
It is powered by a 2.8-liter inline-six mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Features include a radio, disc brakes, chrome brightwork, and a VDO clock. This car is painted in the correct Papyrus White over a dark blue leather interior, and this 1968 280SL is now offered by the selling dealer with manuals, records, and a clear California title.
The interior is fitted with dark blue (903N) leather bucket seats up front, matched to the door panels, dash, and carpeting. Amenities include a push-button radio, tinted glass, a heater, a VDO analog clock, and a trunk-mounted spare tire in a vinyl cover. The selling dealer notes that the air conditioning does not currently function but the fact that it is an A/C equipped car adds to this car’s value, working or not.
Being a European delivery example this car features more clean bumper treatment as well as European market headlights, which to me make the car look even better than the U.S. model.
The optional Mercedes “Bundt pan” alloys are also a nice upgrade from the original steel wheels with hubcaps.
This 280SL includes manual and records. and the car’s data plate decodes to the following options:
- 426: Power steering, floor-shifted automatic transmission
- 514: Becker Europa radio
- 531: Automatic antenna
- 717C: Papyrus White exterior
- 903N: Blue interior
- 6: Hardtop mounted on car, soft top folded
- 113044: Mercedes-Benz 113 body, 280SL model
- 1: Left hand drive
- 2: Automatic transmission
This 280SL is an amazing car as that it delivers the classic driving experience in a package that is quite modern in that these cars are fuel injected, fun to drive, amazingly reliable, and offer a fit and finish that stands above any other sports car of the era. These cars are also eligible for most classic tour events as also welcome at many concours events. In fact when people ask me what the best first time collectible sports car is I always say that if they can afford it, the W113 cars are really the only choice.
So if you are in the market for your first, or next collector sports car and don’t already have one, this Mercedes 280SL is worth bidding on.
The auction for this 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL ends on Friday, June 9, 2023, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT)
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery
