The Mercedes-Benz 280SL departed from other sports cars of the era in two major respects. First, it does not resemble a rocketship or a fugitive from a racetrack. It is sporty, but somewhat deliberately unflashy. It is a car that Mercedes-Benz insisted will never embarrass you whether keeping fast company on the road, or arriving at the most prestigious address.

Secondly, it was considered to be a thoroughbred sporting machine that isn’t stark on accommodations or cramped for space. It didn’t make you pay for soul-stirring performance with ringing ears or stiff joints on the body after a spirited drive. It was widely touted as being a civilized sports car. Road & Track confirmed these thoughts after putting the Mercedes-Benz 280SL through one their blistering tests: “For those who have less than $10,000 to spend, and value finesse, pure quality and drivability more than jazzy looks, it is alone in the field.”

The 280SL combined superb handling that was described in period as “leechlike” with a track five inches wider than a similar era Porsche and eight inches wider than that of the respected E-Type Jaguar. “Fully controlled power drifts are this car’s bag in the corner” so stated Motor Trend magazine. In turn, you could stop with total authority with massive disc brakes at all four corners. Road & Track magazine said the steering system was “the best available anywhere.” The lavish cockpit was considered, in similar tests of the era to be unanimously rated as “the most comfortable” for similar cars of the era. Additional praise was heaped upon the 280SL with Road & Track further stating that “the ride, over all sorts of roads, is fantastic.” “The limousine sports car” moniker was attributed to Motor Trend when the car was new.

This stunning 1970 Mercedes Benz 280SL “Pagoda” painted in Arabian Gray over a black leather interior has just been sympathetically restored by SL Classics in Germany and is in very nice refinished condition. The car comes with both its factory original Black “Pagoda” hardtop and factory soft-top. This presentation provides a subtle and sophisticated presence that is to be expected with such a fine automobile. Powered by the respected 2,778-cc, 180-hp inline six-cylinder engine, it is paired with an automatic transmission.

The cars exterior was dissembled and the body was refinished in its factory original color. All the chrome and trim was either replaced or restored. The car also received a completely new black leather interior including all carpets and trim pieces. The correct engine received a top-end rebuild including complete fuel injection system rebuild, hoses and belts. Upon arrival to the United States, the cars original four-speed automatic transmission and servos were overhauled by German experts at CPR Classic Restorations. The engine compartment was freshened as well. This ‘Pagoda’ also has a Becker Europa II radio and tasteful whitewall tires make for an outstanding presentation.

Unconventional when new? Defiantly so. Mercedes-Benz does not build conventional cars, and they have stated, they never will. This model signified the end of the 280SL’s successful production run.