1968 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Convertible

2.8L Inline 6

Manual

113044 10003084

Clear

Gasoline

THIS is the one you want! It's European-Spec, it's a 4-Speed, and it has spent the last 40 years here in California! The data card indicates it was delivered new in Stuttgart in May 1968. It was titled here in California as a 1967 model... possibly to ease import restrictions. I have a clear Caliornia title for it in my name, and the plates & registration are current. The car was repainted just 2 years ago, a very nice job done with great attention to detail, and done in its original "050" White color. This appears to have been the 1st-ever re-paint for this car... it has never been any other color than 050 White. The black canvas soft top was also replaced at that time. She's equipped with power brakes, power steering, a Becker Mexico Olympia AM/FM Cassette radio, and factory locking gas cap. The engine is original, and the engine compartment looks really nice. She runs great! These Euro-Spec cars have an additional 10 horsepower over the U.S. versions. The engine runs very stoutly, and of course you get that sweet Mercedes-only mechanical hum while you're going down the road... music to your ears! The clutch feels 100% ..."Just right". I've done a full service including Bosch Platinum spark plugs, new plug wires & distributor cap, changed the engine oil using Mobil 1 Synthetic, and replaced the air, oil, & fuel filters. The paint is beautiful! It's hard to really show how nice White can look in photos... you have to see it in person to appreciate it! All of the gauges work properly, with the oil pressure reading "Max", as it should on any healthy 280 engine. That Becker Olympia is the most desireable radio you can have in these cars, but this one does'nt seem to work... and I have never spent more than one minute on it trying to find out why. Once you fire up the engine on these vintage SL's, you don't really want to disturb that sweet engine sound :) This 280SL is a very clean and dry example with a stunning, original, never restored MB-Tex interior. The original seat covers, carpets, door panels, etc... are all in great shape! The pedal pads and firewall pad are also original ... could that 56,600 Kilometers be original too? There's no way to tell... doctors are notoriously bad about keeping records for something as mundane as a... car. Included with this car is the original matching factory hardtop, which is also in excellent condition. You also get the new hartop cart and a fitted cover that goes over the whole thing while the top is on the cart. Original floors and original trunk floor are all solid. Obvoiusly (and happily!) someone at the restoration shop has OCD when it comes to cleaning, painting, and detailing undercarriages because this one looks outstanding! Guys ... These are pictures that you just don't get to see on the other SL's offered for sale! This Mercedes had a long term owner... a heart surgeon in California who owned it for 25 years. No doubt you want to know it's history, it's story, and maybe evern a little about me; the owner. It was sold new in Stuttgart Germany in 1968, and made it's way to California in the early 1970's. California started issuing those blue and Yellow license plates in January 1970. 26 years ago, a prominent heart surgeon purchased the car. A copy of that old title comes with the car to you... if you win the auction. Apparently, the good doctor just let the car sit for some years, and it was acquired by an import car restoration specialist about 3 years ago. He did the re-paint, installed a new soft top, performed any mechanical work needed, and then he sold the car to me. I am 54 years old... and legally blind. My Dad had bought a '67 250SL new, promising me all his life that the 250 would be left to me upon his passing, which occured in 2004. Alas... Dad changed his mind in the last couple of weeks in his life, and the 250SL was sold. I was crushed! No issues between us... but it is what it is :( SO... as a consolation present to myself; I bought this lovely 280SL to make up for "my loss". It's a great car, but... obviously it is not the same thing as Dad's carwhopping 60 miles on it while I've owned it, and it's really just time to let it go; set it free, so it can roam the roads like it was born to do. It's not supposed to just sit here in my shop looking ... fantastically beautiful. This car also comes with EIGHT new tires :) the 4 General Altimax 185/70r14's mounted on steel wheels with factory hubcaps, and the 4 NEW Vredestein Sprint Classic 205/70VR14's mounted on those all-new 14x6.5" chrome Alloy wheels. These Vredesteins still have the little nubs on the tread! The data card is a bit hard to read. It was transmitted electronically to me from the Mercedes Classic Center in Irvine CA. FROM THE DATA CARD- BUILT IN MAY 1968, "229" DELIVERY CODE= STUTTGART, Engine: 130983-10-001230 Front right and left axle- 218, 050- Paint, White, 131- Interior Trim, Black MB-Tex 401- Single seats, 416- Hardtop mounted, 422- Power Steering, 600- Trim strips on hardtop 740- Folding top fabric, Black Your pre-auction inspection is very welcome. I will work with your shipping/transportation company to ensure things go smoothly. Payment for the car is due in full within 3 days of auction's ending. Car is sold "As-Is" and "Where-is", with no warranty or guarantees of any kind. I have an excellent feedback rating here on ebay, so I hope you can see where I'm coming from. I've described this car as well asI know it. Any questions, email me at telcompro2@aol.com or use the ebay message system. I am located a 1/2 hour West of Palm Springs CA. on the 10Fwy. My car is also for sale locally... so I would seriously encourage you to place your bids early to avoid this auction having dissapeared the next time you go to check on it. I'm just sayin' ... ;) On Aug-29-12 at 11:32:12 PDT, seller added the following information: If you have a feedback rating of 5 or less, you need to contact me 1st before bidding. Email me at telcompro2@aol.com or go through the ebay message system if you're more comfortable with that. Thanks~ Frank