This 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL underwent a refurbishment under previous ownership in California circa 2019, and it sold on BaT in November 2022. Work under previous ownership included rebuilding the 2.8-liter inline-six, installing a six-speed S&SG manual transmission, replacing the tan soft top, refreshing the tan interior, and servicing the braking and fueling systems. The car is finished in green, and additional equipment includes a body-color hardtop, 14″ steel wheels with covers, VDO gauges, an AM/FM radio, Coco floor mats, and PerTronix electronic ignition. Acquired by the current owner in 2022, this W113 SL is offered in California on dealer consignment with the owner’s manual, a tool roll, and a Montana title.
The car was refinished in green under previous ownership and is equipped with a removable body-color hardtop in addition to a replacement tan soft top that was installed in 2019. The left front fender is said to have been repaired and the inboard front fender tips are noted to be missing. The forward portions of the car show signs of bodywork, and paint chips and evidence of surface preparation in the finish are present on various body panels. The rear floor pan was refinished in 2019, and dents on the left quarter panel and trunk lid were repaired that same year.
Black 14″ steel wheels wear polished covers with body-color centers, and they were mounted with Vredestein Sprint Classic tires in 2019. Bilstein front shocks were also installed at that time. Braking is provided by power-assisted four-wheel discs.
Interior work under previous ownership included reupholstering the bucket seats in tan, adjusting the door and door windows, servicing the driver’s window regulator, and replacing the air conditioning compressor. Appointments include tan carpeting covered by Jaspe Coco mats as well as an analog clock and a push-button AM/FM radio.
A two-spoke steering wheel sits ahead of VDO instrumentation that includes a 140-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and vertical auxiliary gauges. The five-digit odometer on this 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL shows 69k miles, and the clock and speedometer were serviced in 2019 by Palo Alto Speedometer in California. Total mileage is unknown.
The fuel-injected 2.8L inline-six was rebuilt in 2020, and work included hot tanking the block in addition to boring and honing the cylinders. The cylinder head was overhauled with replacement valves and guides, and the engine block and cylinder head were resurfaced before being reassembled. A PerTronix electronic ignition is installed.
The factory four-speed automatic transmission was replaced with a six-speed S&SG manual transmission in 2020. The flywheel, clutch components, and pedals were replaced as part of the transmission replacement. Rust perforation is noted on the front crossmember.
A previously issued California title lists an odometer brand of “exceeds mechanical limits.”
