This very original 280SL boasts extremely long term ownership, and is offered here after a full 45 years in the same caring family.

The 280SL was purchased by the consignor's father, legendary American racing driver and 12 Hours of Sebring overall winner, Bruce Leven, in 1971 for his wife's use, with approximately 10,000 miles on it at the time. The car has remained in the Leven family's ownership since 1971. It is a very honest and original car throughout, with one respray in the original color executed approximately 30 years ago. It is, in many respects, an unmolested example of the "Pagoda" 280SL. It is believed that the mileage of less than 51,000 reflected on the odometer is the original mileage, though the title reads exempt.

Presented very much as it would have looked back in period; the 280SL runs with a 2.8-liter inline six-cylinder engine that is matched with an automatic transmission. The Benz is equipped with air conditioning, radio, four-wheel disc brakes and the removable hardtop in which its Pagoda moniker was derived. A set of optional Bundt alloy wheels have been added to the car, though the original set of steel wheels will also accompany the sale.

The front king-pins have been recently serviced and the consignor reports that the car drives solidly, in typical Mercedes-Benz fashion. The 280SL represents the ideal foray into classic Mercedes-Benz ownership, and what better way than to enjoy one that has been cherished by the same car-oriented family, across generations, for four decades.