Lot details Registration No: XRE 94G Chassis No: 11304422004133 Mot Expiry: Sept 2010
"The Mercedes-Benz 280SL departs from other sports cars in two respects. First, it does not resemble a rocket ship or a fugitive from a racetrack. It is sporty but deliberately unflashy. It will never embarrass you, whether keeping fast company in a rally or arriving at the White House. Second, it is one thoroughbred sporting machine that isn't stark or cramped. That doesn't make you pay for soul-stirring performance with ringing ears or stiff joints. It is a civilized sports car. For adults" (Road & Track, 1969)
Last of the W113 line, the 280SL was launched in 1968. Blessed with the same effortlessly elegant Paul Bracq styling as its earlier siblings, it was powered by a new seven-bearing crankshaft 2781cc straight-six engine that developed some 180bhp and 193lbft of torque. Equipped with all round independent suspension and ATE disc brakes, its 'square' track (some eight inches wider than the contemporary Jaguar E-type) gave notably sure-footed handling. Able to blur the divide between city streets and open roads with ease, the majority of 280SLs were specified with four-speed automatic gearboxes and power assisted steering.
'XRE 94G' is a 1968 right-hand drive 280SL 'pagoda' model featuring white coachwork and a black MB-Tex interior. The vendor purchased it for his wife at the end of 1987. He bought it from the Wilmslow Motor Company who apparently confirmed there had been just two previous owners and the total mileage at the time was 72,513. Between 1989 and 1994 the Mercedes was treated to an extensive restoration courtesy of specialists S Bolz Ltd of Manchester, the related photographic record and invoices for which are part of the car's comprehensive history file - it also contains the purchase details, tax discs, MOT certificates etc. During the restoration, the engine, fuel injection and gearbox were overhauled by other appropriate specialists and the brightwork re-chromed. All parts were then returned to S Bolz Ltd for re-assembly. We are told that as many of the original parts as possible were re-used. This very pretty looking 'pagoda' has covered less than 5,000 miles since the restoration, during which time it has apparently always been garaged. Though the vendor doesn't claim it to be concours, it has apparently won a number of prizes and is now reluctantly offered for sale for health reasons. It comes complete with the original handbook, a Haynes manual and other Mercedes-related material. It is MOT'd into September and taxed until the end of August.
PLEASE NOTE: Since the catalogue went to press we have been informed that this Mercedes-Benz has covered approximately 6,000 miles since the completion of its restoration (as opposed to "less than 5,000 miles" as previously stated). We have also been told that the car's soft-top roof is in very good order.
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