It would be impossible to disagree with Dr Zetsche: for there is no denying the place Mercedes-Benz’s iconic SL range holds in automobile history, one that surely came to its climax in the 280SL Pagoda, a coveted style icon always appreciated for its timeless beauty and charming character, an international favorite among collectors of 1960s-era sports and GT cars. Oh, and that Pagoda tag? The slightly concave detachable hardtop looked, reckoned observers of the time, something like an east Asian temple, hence the Pagoda sobriquet carried by this SL.

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The roots of this coming legend started way back in 1951, when the head honchos at Mercedes agreed that the company needed a race car. And thereby was commissioned the ‘300 Super Light’, later shortened to just ‘SL’.

By the time of the 1963 Geneva Motor Show, the SL had been revamped for the W113 generation, complete with that new Pagoda design penned by Paul Bracq.

The SL’s straight-six engine line-up ranged from 2.3 liters right up to 2.8 in the 280SL, which was built from 1967 to 1971.

Moreover, the W113 was the first sports car with a ‘safety body’, based on Bela Barényi’s extensive work on vehicle safety. It inherited a rigid passenger cell and designated crumple zones with impact-absorbing front and rear sections built into the vehicle structure from the W111 it is based on. The W113 was also the first Mercedes-Benz with radial tires.

The interior was ’rounded’, with all hard corners and edges removed, as it had been in the W111 sedan. The steering gear was pulled back from the crash sensitive front of the engine compartment towards the fire wall, and the steering column was angled with universal joints to protect the driver from impalement in a frontal impact. The mid-life model refresh in the fall of 1967 further improved driver protection with a collapsible telescopic steering column and padded steering wheel hub to better absorb kinetic energy during a crash, safety innovations from Barényi.

All models were equipped with a fuel injected inline-six engine. The bonnet, boot lid, door skins and tonneau cover were made of aluminium to reduce weight. The comparatively short and wide chassis, combined with an excellent suspension, powerful brakes and radial tires gave the W113 superb handling for its time.

The styling of the front, with its characteristic upright Bosch ‘fishbowl’ headlights and simple chrome grille, dominated by the large three-pointed star in the nose panel, paid homage to the 300 SL roadster.

W 113SLs were typically configured as a Coupé/Roadster with a soft-top and an optional removable hardtop. The 250SL marked the introduction of a 2+2 body style in 1967, the so-called ‘California Coupé’, which had only the removable hardtop and no soft-top: a small fold-down rear bench seat replaced the soft-top well between passenger compartment and boot. A 280SL California version was introduced in 1968.

At the moment at Beverly Hills Car Club we have a splendid example of just such a car, a 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL California Special that is finished in its factory color Blue (903) complemented with a parchment interior. This particular model is a rare and desirable California Coupe variant, making it a highly sought-after collector’s item.

The California Coupe is distinguished by its unique configuration, which includes that removable hardtop and a rear bench seat, offering a blend of open-air motoring and additional passenger space. This feature not only enhances the vehicle’s versatility but also adds to its exclusivity and charm.

Under the hood, this luxury classic is powered by a fuel-injected inline-six engine paired with an automatic transmission. Equipped with power steering, four-wheel disc brakes, dual exhaust outlets, chrome bumpers with overriders, VDO instrumentation, chrome trim, a body-color dashboard, Dunlop thin whitewall tires, 14-inch steel wheels with Mercedes-Benz hubcaps, a jack, tool roll, and a full-size spare tire. Convenience features include a Becker Grand Prix radio, bucket seats with headrests, dual-side rearview mirrors, two-spoke steering wheel with horn, map pockets, glove box, manual crank windows, analog clock, and a center console.

Included is an owner’s manual and manufacturer’s literature, providing a comprehensive history and documentation of its provenance. This 280SL Pagoda comes with history of service records, documenting the care it has received over the years.

This Mercedes-Benz is a true automotive gem that combines vintage charm with optimal performance.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a passionate enthusiast, this highly collectible California Coupe is sure to turn heads wherever you go and is mechanically sound.

When Road & Track tested a 280SL in 1968, it said that ‘in matters of handling, brakes and ride, the SL is still one of the outstanding cars of the day.’ The magazine concluded that ‘it is a well-proven, reliable car and the quality of its execution is a delight to the connoisseur of fine automotive machinery.’

As I always say, the proof is in the eating…

-Alex Manos, Owner