OVERVIEW
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1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
VIN: 11304412018172
One original owner from 1970 to 2014, 44 years!
100-Point Concours restoration by Mercedes Benz U.S. Classic Center, completed in 2018
47,316 original miles
Driven only 626 miles since restoration
Original 2.8L 6-Cylinder engine with 4-speed automatic transmission
Upgraded factory air conditioning during restoration
Stunning Moss Green Metallic over Cognac
European headlights
Includes hardtop, soft top, original owner’s manual, tools, jack and spare
Ordered by Krista Moore and delivered on May 20th, 1970, Moore would become and remain this Mercedes-Benz 280SL’s caretaker for 44 consecutive years, almost half a century. During this time, she regularly maintained the 280SL and added 46,000 miles to the odometer during her time with the car. In 2014 Mercedes-Benz U.S. Classic Center purchased the car from Moore and brought the Pagoda to their award-winning facilities in Irvine, California where the 280SL would embark on a 100-point concours restoration journey.
Mercedes-Benz Classic specializes in supporting owners of historic Mercedes-Benz vehicles by offering genuine replacement parts that are not currently in production, as well as carrying out service and complete concours-level restorations at their facilities. Mercedes-Benz U.S. Classic Center opened in Irvine, CA in 2009, and moved to Long Beach, CA in 2022. Mercedes-Benz is one of the few automotive companies that has kept schematics for all of their original parts and tooling, allowing them to make new components if need be. Whether it be weather stripping for a 300SL to a 230SL, Mercedes-Benz can supply it.
The restoration of the 280SL was comprehensive. Mercedes-Benz U.S. Classic Center completely disassembled the vehicle down to its bare chassis. All components were addressed, restored and replaced as necessary. During the process, the decision was made to refinish the car, including its hardtop, in the stunning combination of Moss Green Metallic with a Cognac leather interior, as it is seen today. It was also decided that the car would be converted to “Euro spec”, significantly updating the look vs. the U.S.-delivered style. This included European headlights, a European front bumper, as well as updating other items throughout the interior to European specification. After 4 years, the restoration had finally completed and resulted in a stunning example of a Mercedes-Benz 280SL. Today, a restoration of this caliber represents an investment in excess of $600,000.
Once the restoration had completed, it did not take long to find its next caretaker. This owner added just 589 miles to the odometer post restoration during their time with the car, which spanned just over 3 years. This is when the car first arrived at Canepa in 2021. The stunning 280SL didn’t take long to find a new caretaker, as Canepa found its next home in less than two weeks! The Mercedes-Benz would remain with the same caretaker for 4 years and only add 37 miles to the odometer, staying in fantastic condition among their collection.
Upon returning to Canepa, it looked exactly how it did when it had left 4 years prior. The stunning Moss Green Metallic paint, the elegant Cognac brown leather interior, and the fit and finish of the restoration still looked like it had just been finished. The European additions add another level of timeless beauty to the car, the forbidden fruit that Americans were not allowed to have on American soil that still holds their style to this day. After being put through the “Canepa Difference” process to ensure that all mechanical systems were currently serviced and tested, cosmetic finishes were like new, this 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL is ready for its next caretaker to drive another lifetime's worth of miles, or to show its style on a concours lawn.
