The interior is fairly clean but the dash is cracked from the sun (this is a fairly hot country) but seats, door panels and carpeting seem to be intact.

I am attaching a few pictures of the car covered in dust in an old garage where I found it (Brian's note: Amgad sent photos of what looks to be a W114 sedan).

Is this a car you would take on and is there any advice you could give?

Regards,
Amgad H.

Amgad,
    First of all, only embark on a restoration for the fun and satisfaction of it as they are almost never supported by economics. In other words even if you do your own work the project will turn out to have more money in it than what you would have spent if you had just gone out and purchased a nice car.

    Our clients hire us to restore cars for reasons other than economic such as:
1. The car is an heirloom which will likely never leave the family's care
2. The client wants to have the satisfaction of having a car restored to his specifications "his way"
3. The client wishes to know for certain that every aspect of the car's restoration was done correctly to top professional standards (we provide a photo documentary of the process at no additional cost)
4. The client wants certain modifications that no existing car presently has, etc., etc.
   
    To answer your question, yes we would undertake this project on behalf of an owner who wanted it restored to perfection with the knowledge that he/she will have way more money in it than he could likely ever sell it for. Four doors will make someone especially "upside down" financially as nice ones can be typically be purchased so inexpensively.   Best Regards, Brian
 

Dear Brian,
    I think I have an absolute original 1969 280sl. It was purchased in Beverly
Hills and then sat in a garage in Montecito from 1984 to about a year ago
when the daughter of the deceased owner traded it to me for a 2000 CLK420
cabriolet and I do not want to damage the integrity of the original condition. I
mean this car never had the hard top off as evidenced by the brown wrapping
paper still on the levers to remove the top in the tool kit. And the paper
is still on the rest of the tools. It is in spooky good condition. The
owner’s maintenance records book in glove box is current to last oil change
stamped. I am curious could I have the driver door window crank adjusted or fixed
it seems a little fragile from use and I don't want it to break it even though
I am careful or will even the slightest change be regarded as having
lessened its integrity. What is the deal with "original" as you seemed to revel in
the restoration of a car you felt was virtually perfect? What is the break
point for originality versus perfect reconditioned experience???

Brian,

Hi Brian,
    Two categories of 280SLs occupy the top of the market: extremely original cars in excellent condition, and cars that have had full, correct restorations. Cars in these two categories attract different groups of enthusiasts.
Your car sounds like it might fit the first category. If your car is in excellent condition, economic prudence would dictate that it be preserved and used only sparingly, as its value lies in its originality. If it is not excellent, then its condition has more of an impact on its value than its originality.
    The knobs on brand new window cranks from Mercedes have quite a bit of play in them, at least the last one I purchased did. However, if your window crank is about to break you will want to remove and save it, replacing it with a new one. I think the knob that Mercedes now supplies is different but at least you will have a functional window and will have saved an original part that is no longer produced.
    Regarding the car that we recently restored for a client, it was especially original but had tired cosmetics. Our client wanted a car that looked and drove as new, so he was in the second group of enthusiasts. In undertaking a restoration, it makes sense to start with an example that is as original and correct as possible.  Regards - Brian
 

Dear Brian,
    Hello from Athens Greece,
    I am writing to ask you about your red 1970 280SL. I read your description but I wanted to ask if there is something I missed.
It cannot be that perfect, so tell me is there something on the car that needs attention? What needs replacement in order to be in concourse condition?

    Hi, Literal "show cars", "concourse" or what we call #1 level cars are not driven. They are transported in enclosed trailers from show to show never putting a tire on a road. That is what one must do if he wishes to win shows and gain trophies. A light coat of road dirt or a scuff on a seat would mean that the "other guy" wins. As soon as you start driving a show or #1 car it becomes a #2+ car. Keep driving it and it will soon be a #2 car. Drive it as a daily driver for 5 years with normal care and it will be a #2- car. Drive it for 10 years and it will be a #3 car. To give a bit more description of this rating system a #2 car is so nice that the average person in the street THINKS it is a #1 car. A #3 car is a typical "daily driver" which has no major faults and is fully functional. Keep in mind that "show car" means something different to different people. Some guy puts his car in a local "shine & show" car show and then he can say, "I have a show car" (even though it is no better than a #3 car).
    I hope this all makes sense to you. My red car is a #2+ car. It is absolutely the nicest car that you would want to actually drive, unless money is no object.  If that is the case then we can build you a #1 car for about $300,000.  Then soon after you start driving it, it becomes a $75,000 car.  Regards - Brian

Dave in Montana writes:
I have just found your fine web page today and have greatly enjoyed perusing it. I am considering the purchase of a Mercedes for my wife sometime within the next year and am torn between something from the fifties, like the 190SL or something with more of the modern creature comforts such as the 280 SL or the 560 SL (Air Conditioning is not all bad). My initial impression is that the 280 would pretty well fit the bill. I would appreciate your input as to the relative investment merits of the models listed above, as well as the comfort level and handling and drive-ability. This would be a car that would not be driven a great deal. I see you use the term Pagoda for certain of your automobiles; what qualifies as a Pagoda. Also in discussing the cars sold at auction you refer to #3+; I assume this is the same scale that I see in Hemmings listings. By the way is a 3+ better than a three or higher than a three and therefore closer to a 4. Also, what is the difference in the above models and a Cabriolet? I would certainly appreciate any and all information you can give me relative to the above.

Dave,

The 113 chassis cars(230, 250, & 280SL's) aka Pagodas are the much more usable cars.  People like 190's for their more vintage feel and look.  Nothing wrong with them but the 280's are more competent amongst modern traffic(read power and disc brakes).  Its a bit easier to find a good Pagoda vs. a good 190SL(121 chassis).  Also, the 190's were even more susceptible to rust than the 113's.