280SL In Immaculate Shape Thanks To 38-Year Owner
Gorgeous red 280SL sports only 39,000 miles and has had the same owner since 1983. Now, it’s ready to move on to its next home.
There’s always something extremely joyous about seeing a survivor car from a bygone era. Even more impressive is seeing someone who has a massive dedication to their car. It’s not often you run into people that have had their car for nearly four decades anymore. However, one exception to this rule is the current owner of this 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL. According to the listing, the current owner bought this car in 1983 and has kept it in amazing shape ever since.
This lovely piece of MB history is currently for sale on the powerhouse automotive auction site Bring A Trailer. At the time of writing, this beautiful SL already has a bid north of $40,000. However, it isn’t hard to see why.
A piece preserved in time.
Using the term “time capsule” to describe a well-maintained classic is pretty commonplace. However, in this case, it almost seems like an unfair understatement. This 280SL looks convincingly like it rolled off the showroom floor within the last couple of months.
Exterior-wise, the paint is virtually free from imperfections. The paint-matched wheel covers perfectly complement the pristine polished wheels. Additionally, a color-matched “Pagoda” hardtop is included in the sale. If that’s not your style, though, the black soft top still looks just as new as everything else on this beauty.
Inside, the interior materials still look bright and new. The carpets are free from stains and imperfections. While the leather seats do have some cracking, it is very minimal. That is an impressive feat for a car that is now over 50 years old.
Even the instrument cluster, dials, and radio look brand new. It’s truly remarkable.
Powerplant and service history.
Under the hood, you’ll find a 2.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine offering a modest 180 horsepower. Power is transferred to the rear wheels by a four-speed automatic transmission. Also, under the hood, you’ll notice the continuation of the remarkable condition. This car looks like it has been locked in a vault for the past 40 some-odd years.
Recent service history includes new tie rod ends, center link, and steering shock. Furthermore, the steering box was recently rebuilt, trailing arm bushings and rear spring pads were replaced, as well. Finally, the brake booster, lines, and fluids are all recently new. Undoubtedly, this car has been lovingly cared for and is ready for the road.
If you are a collector of classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles, this is an absolute must-have. Unfortunately, we are not likely to see another SL of this vintage in this kind of condition any time soon.
Unfortunately, these types of auctions typically come with a caveat. So there’s a good chance this car will not see the road all too often in the hands of its new owner. Though, to be fair, it didn’t get driven much in the hands of its current owner, either. Whoever ends up with this gorgeous old 280SL is likely to be more than satisfied, though. At any rate, we’re glad we got a chance to see it before it got tucked away.
Photos: Bring A Trailer