This 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL is finished in Dark Red over black MB-Tex and is powered by a 2.8-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed manual transmission and an optional limited-slip differential. Additional equipment includes a body-color hardtop, a black soft top, 14″ steel wheels with painted hubcaps, power steering, factory air conditioning, and a Becker Europa AM/FM stereo. The car was sold on BaT in November 2023, and work performed in 2025 consisted of rebuilding the engine and power steering pump. This final-year W113 SL and is now offered by the selling dealer with a photocopy of the window sticker, an owner’s manual, a car cover, and a clean California 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 left the factory finished in Dark Red (542) and was refinished in the late 2000s. Features include a removable hardtop, a black soft top, US-specification headlights, and bumper guards.
The 14″ steel wheels feature hubcaps with painted centers and are mounted with Bridgestone Insignia SE 200 thin-whitewall tires. Braking is provided by power-assisted four-wheel discs. The car was optioned with power steering, and the selling dealer notes that the power steering pump was rebuilt in preparation for the sale.
The cabin houses twin bucket seats that are upholstered in black MB-Tex. Wood trim accents the body-color dashboard, and black carpets line the footwells. Interior appointments include an analog clock, a floor-mounted gear shifter, air conditioning, and a Becker Europa AM/FM stereo.
The two-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and 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 shows 16k miles, approximately 1k of which were added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.
The 2.8-liter M130 inline-six features Bosch mechanical fuel injection and was overhauled in 2025. The selling dealer states that the factory block was retained, and that work involved rebuilding the fuel injection pump and replacing the fuel injectors, cylinder head, and additional components. They add that the rebuilt engine comes with a transferrable warranty valid up until 18k miles or 15 months past the date of installation.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission and an optional limited-slip differential.
A photocopy of the window sticker shows initial delivery to Globe Motor Car Co. of Fairfield, New Jersey, along with standard equipment, options, and a Total Suggested Retail Price of $9,154.
