This 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL was acquired by the current owner in 2006, and its 2.8-liter inline-six was rebuilt by Metric Motors in 2023. The car has been repainted red over Cognac MB-Tex, and equipment includes a four-speed manual transmission, a dark brown convertible top, a removable hardtop, power steering, 14″ steel wheels with painted covers, a Nardi steering wheel, and a CD stereo. This W113 SL is now offered on dealer consignment with the owner’s manual, service records, a copy of the data card, and a clean Massachusetts title.
The W113 SL was designed by Friedrich Geiger, Béla Barényi, and Paul Bracq and was introduced to the public at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show. This example came finished from the factory in two-tone Light Beige and Tobacco Brown and was repainted red some time ago. A replacement dark brown soft top was installed in 2021, and the car is additionally equipped with a body-color removable hardtop, a driver-side mirror, and US-specification headlights. Rust is noted on the floors and around the rear wheel arches.
The 14″ steel wheels feature covers with painted centers and are mounted with Hankook tires measuring 185/75. The car is equipped with power steering, and braking is provided by power-assisted four-wheel discs. The brake booster and steering box were replaced in 2016. The king pins and wheel bearings were replaced in 2018.
The cabin houses bucket seats upholstered in Cognac MB-Tex that extends to the door panels. Interior appointments include an analog clock, a floor-mounted gear shifter, and a CD stereo wires to speakers housed on the rear parcel shelf. The selling dealer states that the air conditioning does not blow very cold.
The wood-rimmed Nardi steering wheel frames a 140-mph speedometer and a tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline as well as gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer has rolled over and shows 28k miles, approximately 11k of which were added under current ownership.
The 2.8-liter M130 inline-six was factory equipped with Bosch fuel injection and was rated at 180 horsepower and 193 lb-ft of torque when new. The engine was rebuilt by Metric Motors in 2023 and the radiator, hoses, spark plugs, and ignition wires were replaced in 2022. There is corrosion in the engine bay.
Power is routed to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. The clutch hydraulic cylinders were replaced in 2022.
A copy of the data card is viewable above.