The Holy Grail Original Paint Pagoda

W113 Pagoda for sale automotive vintage collector car, classified, California Old Timer classic center
1969 Mercedes Benz 280SL
The Holy Grail - A Preservation Pagode!

The spare tire is absolutely original to this car. Indeed, many items considered as maintenance items are still original to this car such as the date coded "Metzler" fuel injection air hose and the trunk weather seal which are impossible to fake. The soft top, usually replaced several times already on a car this age even appears to be original.

All of the numbers match, the front fenders have the original and now famous notches, the nuts and bolts under the car still have the paint splotch "dotollogy" assembly marks that the factory assembly technician applied. All of the factory undercoating is intact as well as the "root beer" colored Cosmoline waxy coating on top of the undercoat. The body number is repeated everywhere it is supposed to be and with this car we have discovered items where it is written in grease pencil behind some of the upholstery panels, behind the glove box and on the bottoms of the rear jump seat panels (kinderseat).

Like most of our cars it has been gone through in our award winning workshop to assure that it is 100% turnkey so that it can be pressed into service as a daily driver if the new owner so chooses.

Following, are many, many detail photos of this car and viewing them like reading a Pagoda Originality Buyer's Guide as this is absolutely what these cars are supposed to look like!

Click on any of the pictures below to view the larger version.



Above & Below: This is what a hood gap is supposed to look like. It is absolutely even all the way around (as it left the factory).







The below picture displays the body number on the soft top stowage compartment. This same number is repeated throughout the car.		Just inside the soft top stowage compartment, we find the label on caring for your canvas soft top still in place.

	Here are textbook examples of what the headlight notches should look like - sharp, clear & very well defined.
	The pictures to the left and right are with the headlamps removed, notice the factory inspector's grease pencil marking still resides inside the bucket.
	These pictures show the circular area left unpainted by the factory for a ground connection. The headlamp buckets were also fitted with round rubber plugs that were painted in place at the factory.

	The picture above is a close up of the data plate on the inside of the fender wall. The numbers circled display the production number. Notice the backside of the door panels, glove box, and kinder seats all have the same number on them.

Above: the last 4 digits of the body number on the hood. Right: the body number on the chassis plate.		Above: the body number on the hard top located on the underside next to the center rubber plug.
	The pictures to the left and right are of the transmission mount support plate. In this case the body number is stamped on the backside.







		The picture above shows the original and NLA vinyl padded pouch with original levers to lock and unlock both tops.
Above: the original clear plastic dust barrier that is under the upholstered panel. This is an important originality indicator and backup indicator of low miles and light use. Cars with more miles and typical use require periodic work on the window lifters at which time these covers are usually lost. We've only seen two or three cars with them intact. The dark stains visible are from the original glue which has darkened.

Notice the correct original bonded-in black rubber shift surround which guarantees original carpet.


Above: the VIN plate, located on the driver's side door jam.	Above: the rear shelf covers boards. They can be easily removed and replaced with the kinder seat.	Above: the date coded seat belt label in outstanding condition.

Above: the rear seat installed. These seat cushions can be easily removed. Allowing extra space for luggage or a set of golf clubs.		The original carpet is in outstanding condition, everywhere you look. Above: the kinderseat foot well

Above: the rear floor wells under the kinder seat and floor covers.
This area is very susceptible to corrosion. In this case it is rust-free and original.



	Absolutely original trunk floor.

The tire stop and jack. Notice the original label on the jack.	The vehicle still has its original spare tire (Firestone Phoenix) in the trunk.	A close up look at the Firestone Phoenix label on the spare tire. Notice the curb lip just above white wall. This helped with the constant scuffing of white walls.
	The pictures to the left and right display the tool kit and owners books.


The below picture shows us the trunk weather seal.	The pictures above are of some newspaper and magazine articles found with the car. Notice the close up photo of the article date above.	An idea of what the 280SL advertising campaign was like, over 40 years ago.
	The pictures to the left and right are of the date stamp located on the trunk weather seal. Upon close inspection, we see that the seal is stamped with the date May 14 1969.


	Above: some of the hoses in the engine bay. The "Metzeler" hose has a date stamp of January 1969. This original OEM hose is not available new anywhere.

Notice the inner fenders with correct spot welds and the absolutely factory original firewall pad. These pads with the correct pattern are not available from Mercedes. The only replacement part available looks and feels different. Finding a great original firewall pad is a good indicator of overall originality of a 280SL and the sort of life it has lead.

The inner fender wall rubber plugs were installed by the factory after the primer coat but before the color coat and were painted over. Click on the picture to take a closer look. The "yellowing" is actually the paint aging and reacting with the properties of the rubber. Since the rubber
originally had a coat of wax on it the paint didn't stick well and has flaked off over the years.



	The undercarriage is absolutely original!










The floor boards at the rear, just ahead of the trailing arms.	The pictures above and below are that of the rear dogleg. Just ahead of the rear wheels. Notice the drain holes and rockers look exceptional.	The floor boards at the front, just behind the front wheels.

	The photos to the left and right display the entire floor board. The "root-beer" colored substance is a waxy protectant sprayed on at the factory over the undercoating.
	The left and right pictures display the rocker panels and covers. Notice the correct Phillips head screws all along the edges.
	The rockers and rocker panel covers from the rear of the car. The rocker panels have a rough texture chip guard and are affixed with Philips head screws. Factory correct specification is always satin-gloss black.
	These pictures are shots of the front wheel houses showing the factory drain crease.
	Once the MB factory technicians installed the rocker panel covers, they brushed some satin-gloss black paint to complete the look. In these pictures, we see evidence of this procedure.

	The above picture displays the spot welds of the lower rear valance. The pictures to the left and right display the extreme originality of this car. The MB factory technicians applied paint dots to certain areas when the factory specs for torque were met.


	The left and right pictures show us the front wheel backsides. Notice the dots painted by the MB factory technicians that represent the weight rating on the springs and proper torque force was applied on the bolts.

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