In March 1963, Mercedes-Benz’s new sports car was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show; it was called the 230 SL and, from a technical point of view, it was a real treat. With an in-line six-cylinder engine and fuel injection, this speedy car was at the cutting edge. Technically, it was based on the underbody and suspension components of the saloons then in production; the engine, too, came from those models. Visually, it broke new ground, and the hardtop with its ‘sagging’ roof, in particular, proved a talking point. Purists were somewhat disappointed by the newcomer’s focus on comfort, but its success on the market proved the Stuttgart engineers right. Produced as the 230 SL with 150 hp, 19'832 units of the car were built until 1967; it was succeeded by the 250 SL, which had the same power output but a larger engine capacity, of which 5'196 were produced. The series was brought to a close by the 280 SL, featuring a new engine, increased displacement and now 170 hp, of which 23'885 were produced at the Sindelfingen plant between 1967 and 1971. This Mercedes 280 SL was originally delivered to Switzerland and was handed over to its first owner on 27 January 1969 by the Mercedes dealership in Locarno. Delivered in white with black leather upholstery, power steering, an automatic gearbox and as the optional ‘coupé without soft top’ version, this stylish convertible was, however, fitted with a soft top in its early years and repainted in ‘Moss Green Metallic’. The 280 SL was thus taken over by the seller’s mother in May 1973, when it had 51'300 km on the clock. After 10 years of use, she had the bodywork restored in March/April 1983 and repainted in the original colour. In 1991, at 124'293 km, the Mercedes suffered cylinder head damage and was therefore fitted with a second-hand replacement engine with a similar mileage by Mercedes-Benz Bern. In 1997, the ‘Pagoda’, with around 130'000 km on the clock at the time, passed to the seller. He continued to use the convertible in the spirit of his mother and always took great care to maintain it meticulously. Thus, in 2003, at around 136'000 km, the automatic gearbox was overhauled; in 2005, a new soft top was fitted; in 2012, the car was fitted with a set of new tyres; in 2014, the radiator was reconditioned; in 2016 the original leather seats were covered with imitation leather, in 2020 the front brake calipers and pads were replaced, and in 2024, just over 50 km ago, a service was carried out including a spark plug change. Second-hand, having been in the family for 53 years and with 147'700 km on the clock, the Pagoda is in good condition. The vehicle will be handed over to a new enthusiast complete with the original service booklet, numerous receipts dating from 1983 and the most recent veteran MOT completed in September 2026.