W113 Pagoda for sale automotive vintage collector car, classified, California Old Timer classic center Pagode
1968 Mercedes Benz 280SL
If you arrived here by a random surf/search, click HOME to get to our main page and find the status of this car.
Classic center old timer car classifieds vintage collector automotive by Motoring Investments

CLICK ON THE PHOTOS BELOW TO SEE THE FULL SIZE VERSION

The pictures shown above and below are the interior panels showing the production number.
Pictured above and below are the door panels and seat skins. All show the same production number.
The example shown above is on the inside of the original seat skin.
The data plate inside the engine bay fender wall can describe a lot about the car. In the picture above, we display the color codes, body and production numbers.	The body number on the hood, shown above.
The picture above shows the body number on the soft top stowage compartment. This same number is repeated throughout the car.	The body number shown above, stamped on the transmission mount plate.
The V.I.N plate is located on the drivers side door jam.	The body number is also stamped on the base of the hardtop, shown above.
The original window sticker is shown above. We have included several close up detailed photos to view the coded options and trim package the car was delivered with.
The wood handle screwdriver  is unique to '68 models.
The tool kit is original and completely intact.
Spare tire/wheel original to this car.
In the picture above we see the protective green tape hiding the whitewall underneath.	Date code shown below of Jan. 1968.
	The wheel shows all the characteristics of being remarkably original and never on the road.
The absolutely factory original firewall pad is visible above.  These pads with the correct pattern are NLA (no longer available).   The only replacement available is close but not quite identical. Finding a Pagoda with a great original firewall pad is an indicator of the overall care and sheltered life it has lead. These sound insulators are made of a pressed cardboard material which does not hold up well to being baked constantly in the sun , pressure washing or being damp and going through freezing and thawing cycles.
Notice the inner fenders with correct, factory spot welds along the inner lip of the fender. This proves that the fenders are original.
Shown above are the spot welds at the nose, all welds are clear and visible.
More up close views at the spot welds along the inner fender walls.
The welds on the water catch tank tower and the ground spot are shown above, pictured below is the close up view of the valve cover decal.	Above is a close up picture of the firewall pad. Below is a close up picture of a relay with the correct dotology. The relay cover is held on with a screw that is covered in white paint.
Extreme Originality/Low mileage marker - a Metzeler hose original to this car. This hose is used to carry only warm air and carries a date stamp of 1968. It has been NLA as a replacement for about 30 years (modern replacements will lack the "Metzeler").	The images below are close up and detailed photos of the hood underside.
If we examine an early Pagoda hood on the underside that has never been repainted we find a large number of runs in the paint.  I'm pretty sure at least one of the primer coats was done by dipping the hood (if not dipped they were hung vertically to cure after spraying a liberal coat).   It simply was not considered important to sand these away before applying the color coats since most of the time the hood is closed.  We also find similar runs in the satin black of the underside of the trunk lid.  If you are doing a high point restoration we suggest that you do not remove the runs if possible since this is another originality marker.  Factory replacement hoods come with a nice, uniform, run-free coating of satin black all over.  Above and below are close up pictures of all the factory original runs.
More dotology, the factory technicians dabbed paint dots to certain locations as they applied the factory recommended torque. Below are just some of the dotology images found on the car.
The wheel wells are clean and exhibit the clear drain holes and factory spot welds you expect to find on a very original Pagoda.
Looking at the images below we see the backside of the head lamp buckets.
The above pictures show the factory spot welds  and half moon cutouts of the lower rear valance.

For those interested in the details of the sympathetic reconditioning this car has received please click here.