Lot 117: 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL

In March 1963 Mercedes-Benz launched its new generation of SL sports cars with the 230 SL at the Geneva Show. Low, wide and strikingly handsome, this all new motor car replaced the now ageing 190 and 300SL models; the Stuttgart company's engineering, together with elegance and practicality, made the 'pagoda top' SL one of the most distinctive designs of its era. In closed form it offered coupé-like comfort and excellent visibility thanks to a generous glass area, while the easy removal of the concave-roofed hard top turned it into an open top sports car for the summer months. Underneath lay a pressed steel chassis with all independent suspension, via double wishbones and coil springs at the front and half-swing axles and coils at the rear, which provided fine roadholding and an excellent ride. Notably, front disc brakes were fitted - a first on a Mercedes-Benz - supplied by Girling. And with 150bhp on tap at 5,500rpm from the 2,306cc single, overhead camshaft six cylinder, performance, via the standard four speed manual gearbox, was adequate for most buyers. An increase in torque, from 145lb/ft to 159lb/ft at 4,500rpm, but still the same power output, came with the arrival of the 2,496cc 250SL in November 1966 , the 230SL being phased out two months later. The final evolution , the 280SL, took over the following November, with the 250SL ceasing production in January 1968. Power was now 170bhp at a slightly higher 5,750rpm, and an even more useful rise in torque to 177lb/ft enabled the last of the line to achieve a top speed of over 120mph allied to 0-60mph in 9.3 seconds. As today, Mercedes-Benz motor cars were never cheap, but superb build quality and sophisticated styling made the 280SL an extremely popular sports car with the rich and famous. Finished in white with black interior trim, this German registered example is offered in good condition and comes with a specialist report and valuation. Als letzte Evolutionsstufe in der W113 Baureihe sorgte der 280 SL fuer standesgemaessen Vortrieb mit Fahrleistungen, die zwar nicht zu den besten seiner Zeit gehrten, aber mit einer Beschleunigung von 0-100 km/h in 9.3 Sekunden und einer Hchstgeschwindigkeit von 200 km/h dennoch sehr respektabel waren. Mercedes waren noch nie billig, aber mit der sprichwrtlichen Qualitat und zeitlos elegantem Styling fanden sich dennoch gengend Kaufer. Dieses in klassischem weiss lackierte und mit schwarzer Innenausstattung ausgekleidete Cabriolet befindet sich nach Angaben des Einlieferers in gutem Zustand und wird mit Hardtop und einem Gutachten angeboten.