Coys Auction - True Greats
Royal Horticultural Halls
Elverton St
Westminster
London SW1
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Following the successful, earlier 300SL and 190SL models Mercedes launched a whole new range of sports/SL models in the 1960s, starting with the 230SL in 1963. The last version to join the range entered production in 1967, the 280SL. Like the previous models the 280SL had a beautifully proportioned sports body which had two comfortable seats (a third, sideways facing seat was a popular SL option) and could be fitted with a hardtop with a distinctive shape which led to the model being nicknamed ‘pagoda roof’.
The 280SL used a 2778cc, six cylinder engine which had a seven bearing crankshaft. The engine featured fuel injection and most had automatic transmission. These attractive "SL" sports cars were highly regarded when new and are have remained sought-after classics ever since. Production of the 280SL ended in 1971.
This wonderful left hand drive example of the ‘pagoda roof’