Mercedes 280 SL Pagoda: Autoblog classic driving test and video
Posted on 03-05-2014 at 18:00 by autoblogger – 41 Comments”
We are going again back in time. This time we drove in a Mercedes 280 SL “Pagoda” from 1969.
Because the final boss of Mercedes in the ’60s a car was looking for which was the middle between the slow 190 SL and the very exclusive and expensive “Gullwing” 300 SL was a new SL developed in 1963 at the Geneva motor Show was introduced: the Mercedes SL W113. There was a hardtop for the car designed which ensured that this car was commonly called the “Pagoda” was called, thanks to the vaulted shape of the roof. The car was equipped with a standard M180 six-cylinder in-line, and to save weight was for a number of parts of the metal of aluminium is used. The chassis was a shortened version of the W111, the predecessor of the current S-Class.
The first performance in 1963 came on the market was the 230 SL. It had 150 hp and 196 Nm is available thanks to a 2.3 litre engine and was fitted as standard with a viertraps automatic transmission. A faster viertraps automatic transmission and a five resist storey manual gearbox was also available as an option but were not often ordered.
The 250 SL went in december 1966 in production. The main changes were the fact that the block with more torque delivered (not a 190 but 216 Nm) due to the increase of the engine capacity to 2.5 litres. Other important changes were adding disc brakes in the rear and increasing the fuel tank capacity of 65 to 82 litres. The 250 SL had to quickly make room for the 280 SL, so there is no more than a thick 5000 built. This SL is the most rare.
In december 1967 was followed by the 280 SL. This car was given the decision over again opgeboorde 2.8-litre six-cylinder that was good for 170 horsepower and 244 Nm of torque. The 280 SL was more often sold than the 230 and 250 SL for each other, but the ZF manual vijfbak was only 882 times ordered. Cars with this box are so very sought after among collectors. The best chance to find one is in Italy, because the manual gearbox was relatively much was sold. The W113 SL was finally produced until February 1971, in a total of 48.912 W113 SL’s were built.
Riding with the 280 SL, I noticed that the car very modern feel. I am not, of course, about the beautiful, classic interior that I’m in, no, what I mean is that the driving characteristics of this car is very modern and of this time feel. The vending machine does perfectly, and supersoepel his work, the block zooms beautifully, there are no crazy beeps or kraakjes and the chassis feels nice and balanced and a great way to indulge. The hoepelstuur is perhaps huge, it does exactly what you want it to do. This car doesn’t feel like he’s in the early ’60s designed.
The instance of Gina Classics that we drove for this video is just not a ton of walking and is really in a beautiful condition. There is never welded and the car is re-sprayed in the beautiful color teal. The cremelederen upholstery matches very well with the coat colour if you ask me. The leather, carpet and chrome is still original. This car comes from Portugal, the pleasant climate there, probably explains the complete lack of rust.
At the rear of this car is a rare option to find: the rare third seat. The 2.8-litre six-cylinder is controlled by a perfectly shifting automatic transmission. The whole car is “matching numbers” so in completely original condition. Even all of the spot welds are still as the factory is left. The car is nice and well equipped, with as highlight for me the beautiful Becker Grand Prix radio, the antenna Hirschmann has even its own antenna. If you are interested: the asking price is €99.000 euro.
Gallery: Mercedes 280 SL Pagoda
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