Lot details
Registration No: VMW772K
Chassis No: 11304422021560
Mot Expiry: April 2005

When Mercedes-Benz bring out a new SL roadster, with hood and/or hardtop option, you can be sure that the model range is going to be around for a very long time, with examples on the roads for decades after that. The rounded 190SL was replaced with the wider-bodied and more spacious 230SL two-seater at the 1963 Geneva Show, and, having been replaced by 250 and then 280 versions, stayed around until 1971. The new model's quest to be taken seriously by real sportscar enthusiasts was certainly helped by rally driving legend Eugen Bohringer winning the Spa-Sofia-Liege in one (230SL sales totalled 19,831).
Manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart in 1970, this 280SL two-door roadster with factory-supplied Pagoda hardtop, a right-hand drive car, was first UK registered with VMW 722K plates in October 1971. Since then, apart from one reselling garage, it has only had two lady owners, the last since February 1988 being the wife of the Chairman of the Mercedes-Benz Club (note that the JP 2263 registration has been retained).
The chassis and two-door bodywork is said by the vendor to be in good condition as is the white paintwork. The trim in blue MB-tex is also good and the carpets excellent. Whilst the 2800cc six-cylinder engine, the four-speed automatic transmission and the electrical equipment are all reportedly in good order. The 80,962 miles displayed when entered is be believed by the owner to be the genuine total mileage for the car from new. The MOT test certificate will be valid until next April and the tax disc until July.