1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL 'Pagoda'

Vehicle Overview

This 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL is finished in black over burgundy leather and is powered by a replacement 2.8-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes 14? wheels, four-wheel disc brakes, power steering, chrome bumpers, air conditioning, a Pagoda hardtop, a black soft top, wood trim, air conditioning, and a Becker Europa AM/FM stereo. The car was acquired by the current owner in 2018, and a replacement engine was installed in 2021. Service in March 2022 consisted of rebuilding the fuel pump assembly and replacing the shifter bushings. This 280SL is now offered on dealer consignment as part of the Mohr Imports Monterey Collection Sale with service records, an owner’s manual, a copy of the data card, and a clean California title.

The car left the factory finished in Signal Red (568H) and was repainted black during a refurbishment under previous ownership by Bruce Strauss of Costa Mesa, California. Exterior details include a black Pagoda hardtop, a replacement black soft top, a driver’s side mirror, a retractable antenna, twin polished exhaust outlets, and chrome bumpers with overriders.

Factory 14? steel wheels wear chrome covers with black centers and are mounted with 195/75 Michelin XH4 thin whitewall tires. The car is equipped with power steering and four-wheel disc brakes. Service in October 2022 involved replacing the tie rod ends along with the brake master cylinder, rotors, pads, and lines.

The cabin features low-back bucket seats that have been reupholstered in burgundy leather with color-coordinated door panels, dashboard trim, and carpeting. Appointments include air conditioning, wood trim, three-point seat belts, an analog clock, and Becker Europa AM/FM radio.

A two-spoke ivory steering wheel features a horn ring and frames VDO instrumentation consisting of a 140-mph speedometer, a tachometer, and centrally located readouts for fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 11k miles, and total mileage is unknown.

The replacement fuel-injected 2.8L M130 inline-six is said to have been sourced from Metric Motors and was installed in 2021 by Dynamic Performance of Manhattan Beach, California. The fuel pump assembly was rebuilt in March 2022.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. The shifter bushings were replaced in March 2022. Additional photos of the underside are provided in the image gallery.

The data plate decodes as the following:

• 249 – Rear window electrically heated, tinted glass
• 426 – Floor-shift automatic transmission and power steering
• 491 – US version
• 503 – Left-side mirror
• 515 – Becker AM/FM radio, USA version
• 568H – Signal Red paint

An owner’s manual, hardtop tools, service records, and a copy of the data card are included in the sale.