Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
(1968 - 1971)
Car articles about Mercedes-Benz 280 SL by year
The Mercedes-Benz 280 SL of the W 113 model series and its direct predecessors, the 230 SL and 250 SL, are among the most popular automobile classics of all. Accordingly, much has already been written about them. That is why, in addition to a brief biography, this article focuses on special variants and versions that are less well known, but also offers driving impressions with a 280 SL with automatic transmission. Many of the historical photographs showing pre-series versions and special bodies are probably unique, as are the early press documents, which means that this vehicle report is also aimed at intimate connoisseurs of the "Pagoda".
Since the early days of the more comfort-oriented variants from the W 113 onwards, the typical Mercedes SL driver has enjoyed shifting gears automatically. However, there was always the manual alternative, which usually had four forward gears in the 1960s. What remained rare, however, was an actually very sensible variant from ZF with five gears, which allowed the engine, which was sensitive to engine speed, to be spared while at the same time being able to directly determine which gear ratio the car was currently running with. Just over one percent of all 280 SLs were equipped with the five-speed transmission, and this report is dedicated to one of these rare models.
A new era began with the Mercedes-Benz 350 SL. The successor to the Pagoda had been developed with the American market in mind as a safety sports car and was significantly heavier with an eight-cylinder engine and larger dimensions. But that wasn't the only reason why people were skeptical at first; critics also didn't like its looks. Almost 50 years have passed since then and the R107 is one of the most popular classics of all time. This report goes back to the beginnings and portrays a 350 SL from 1971, tells the history of the model series and shows the vehicles in current and historical pictures, supplemented by sales literature and sound samples.
In the summer of 1971, Automobil-Revue tested the new Mercedes-Benz 350 SL (R107) with automatic and manual transmission. The summary shows the positive experiences of the test drivers: "Although fundamentally different from its predecessor 280 SL in terms of engine, chassis and body, the 350 SL is not really a new design, but a successful synthesis of elements that have been selected from the entire Mercedes-Benz production program and have already proven themselves in the various models. The latest two-seater from Untertürkheim is therefore inherently mature. As a sporty, luxurious touring car, it comes up against formidable competition in the price range of around 40,000 francs - the additional price of around 5,000 francs compared to the basic version of the 280 SL is more than justified by the technical improvements - from equally renowned manufacturers, some of which are superior in terms of performance. The strengths of the latest Mercedes offspring lie in the design, which is geared towards safety down to the last detail, in the quality of workmanship, which can hardly be surpassed, and not least in the unusual limousine comfort. The 350 SL in no way encourages an extremely sporty driving style, although the rev-happy engine and unproblematic handling would lead one to expect the opposite. With this car, however, you can be sure of reaching even distant destinations effortlessly, comfortably, quickly and safely."
Between 1971 and 1989, Mercedes built the R107 and the coupé variant C107 as the 280 SL to 560 SL and 280 SLC to 500 SLC respectively. Commercially, the model series was a great success and the R107 was the longest-built SL ever; the predecessors W198, W113 and the successors were all built over much shorter periods of time. The last examples of the R107 series became classics from the assembly line and today, together with their older brothers, enjoy a large fan community.
Current market prices for Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
Convertible, 170 PS, 2778 cm3
Coupe, 160 PS, 2778 cm3
Convertible, 160 PS, 2778 cm3
Coupe, 200 PS, 3499 cm3
Convertible, 200 PS, 3499 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 140 PS, 2778 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 160 PS, 2778 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 160 PS, 2778 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 200 PS, 3499 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 200 PS, 3499 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 194 PS, 4489 cm3
4-Door Sedan, 196 PS, 4489 cm3
Convertible, 150 PS, 2496 cm3
Convertible, 200 PS, 3499 cm3
Coupe, 200 PS, 3499 cm3
More vehicle evaluations from Classic Data can be found via the search function.
Auctioned vehicles of Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
| Brand | Model | Year | Status | Auction name | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Convertible with Hardtop 1969 Not Sold Bonhams Les Grandes Marques à Monaco (May 11, 2018) |
280 SL Convertible with Hardtop | 1969 | Not Sold | Bonhams Les Grandes Marques à Monaco (May 11, 2018) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (113) 1969 Sold Historics at Brooklands Weybridge (March 4, 2017) |
280 SL (113) | 1969 | Sold | Historics at Brooklands Weybridge (March 4, 2017) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 'Pagoda' 1971 Sold RM/Sotheby's Monterey (August 18, 2022) |
280 SL 'Pagoda' | 1971 | Sold | RM/Sotheby's Monterey (August 18, 2022) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 1971 Sold Bonhams Amelia Island (March 5, 2020) |
280 SL | 1971 | Sold | Bonhams Amelia Island (March 5, 2020) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (113) 1970 Not Sold Coys The Spirit of Motoring (October 10, 2015) |
280 SL (113) | 1970 | Not Sold | Coys The Spirit of Motoring (October 10, 2015) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 1969 Sold Bonhams Scottsdale (January 27, 2022) |
280 SL | 1969 | Sold | Bonhams Scottsdale (January 27, 2022) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL 'Pagoda' 1970 Sold RM/Sotheby's Monterey (August 17, 2023) |
280 SL 'Pagoda' | 1970 | Sold | RM/Sotheby's Monterey (August 17, 2023) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (113) 1969 Sold RM/Sotheby's Arizona Auction (January 19, 2017) |
280 SL (113) | 1969 | Sold | RM/Sotheby's Arizona Auction (January 19, 2017) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (113) 1971 Sold Gooding & Co. The Scottsdale Auctions (January 16, 2015) |
280 SL (113) | 1971 | Sold | Gooding & Co. The Scottsdale Auctions (January 16, 2015) | |
| Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (113) 1970 Sold ACA Kings Lynn (January 23, 2016) |
280 SL (113) | 1970 | Sold | ACA Kings Lynn (January 23, 2016) |
Query all auctioned vehicles of Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
Engine sounds of Mercedes-Benz 280 SL vehicles (random selection)
Check more audio on Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
Loading...
Loading more content ...
Loading...