Mercedes Benz W113 280 SL Pagode California (1968)

Highlights and general information

For sale is a Mercedes-Benz W113 280 SL Pagoda California from 1968 in the color silver gray metallic with a red leather interior.

Highlights:

• Rare California edition: full-length rear bench seat instead of soft top box and soft top - probably fewer than 1,000 California Pagodas were built
• Coveted 280 SL with the 2.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine
• Unique history: German first registration and family-owned since delivery
• The car has borne the same registration number since its first registration in 1968
• The Pagoda was delivered to the grandmother of the current owner in 1968, who drove the car until September 1998 and then passed it on to the grandson and current owner
• Appraisal from 08/16 with a grade of 2+
• Complete invoice documentation available since 1975
• Almost €27,000 has been invested since 2000, including the replacement of all brake callipers and the exhaust silencer in 2019 and the replacement of the engine mounts and shock absorbers
• The Pagoda was partially restored for the first time in 1989/90, during which the car was stripped of paint, derusted and repainted and a new gearbox and a new factory engine were installed - only approx. 55,000 km have been covered since then
• There is a logbook with every refueling stop since 1998
• New TÜV & H license plate and new Michelin tires
• Additional set of tires incl. rims included
• Mercedes-Benz Classic certificate

General information about the vehicle

• Year of construction: 1968
• First registration: Germany, 09/1968
• Location: 65510 Hünstetten, Germany
• Number of vehicle owners: 2 (both owners from one family)
• Restored
• Accident-free
• Licensed
• H license plate
• TÜV until 02/27
• Immediately ready to drive

Model history

The Mercedes-Benz 280 SL is the last and most mature version of the legendary W113 model series, which was produced between 1963 and 1971. Its elegant design with the characteristic concave hardtop roof line, which earned it the nickname "Pagoda", was created by Paul Bracq and combines timeless aesthetics with functional engineering. Compared to its predecessors, the 280 SL offers technical improvements, including a more powerful 2.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine that ensures superior driving performance. Its combination of style, precision and driving comfort makes it a coveted classic to this day.

The facts

Exterior & interior

• Exterior color: silver grey metallic
• Interior: red leather upholstery
• Repainted: Yes, complete bodywork

Engine and transmission

• 2.8-liter in-line six-cylinder engine with 170 hp (125 kW)
• Automatic transmission
• Exchange engine
• Last service: 29.04.2019

Mileage

• Mileage: 210,334 km
• Traceable mileage: yes
• Checkbook: Available, but not complete

Documentation: German

• German vehicle documents
• TÜV reports
• All invoices since 1975
• Valuation report (grade 2+)
• Original delivery documents
• Complete logbook since 1998
• MB Classic certificate

Tires, brakes, body & underbody

• Tires: new
• Brakes: good condition - all brake calipers and brake hoses were replaced in 2019, brake fluid replaced in 2025
• Bodywork: good condition
• Underbody: good condition - rust-free
• Please take a look at the photo gallery and videos to gain further insight into the condition of the vehicle

Known defects

• Vehicle was last painted in 1989, accordingly with small signs of wear due to age
• Cracks next to the hood
• Please take a look at the photo gallery and videos to gain further insight into the condition of the vehicle.

Summary of the car

For sale is a real highlight, which will not be found again: An extremely well-maintained Mercedes-Benz W113 280 SL California from 1968 in silver gray with red leather interior. A California Pagoda is generally a rare vehicle, but its history makes this example a truly special one. The vehicle is second-hand, with the first owner being the grandmother of the current owner. The 280 SL has always been maintained over the years, with investments totaling around €27,000 having been made since 2000. The extensive documentation with invoices since 1975 and a complete logbook since 1998 underlines the history of this classic. The extremely good condition of this collector's item is underlined by an appraisal from 2016 with a grade of 2+. A unique Pagoda that represents an interesting opportunity for both collectors and enthusiasts of classic Mercedes-Benz models is offered for sale here.