1969 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

280 SL Convertible

6 - Cyl.

Automatic

11304412008413

Gasoline

1969 Mercedes Benz 280 SL (280SL) Red Pagoda 113 Chassis Hard Top too. It's not too early to plan for a great summer! Look at the pictures. It’s a pretty one. The red is perfect – it’s a deep red. It’s riveting, but not flashy. Oddly enough, there are many poor colors for this car. Some dull browns and greens, some not-so-pretty blues, some flagrant reds, and I’m personally not a fan of white or silver. This is the best color. It really loves wax, too! The chrome is chrome and shines like you forgot about. It’s a great ride, and not one to hide in a museum. It’s a driver. Here are the facts. I didn’t really know the person I bought it from in ‘94, but he owned it locally for several years and cared for it well. I saw it on a golf course with a ‘for sale’ sign, and I was hooked. I’m not sure of its history prior to that. Before I bought it, I had a Mercedes expert look it over and I got the OK. I’ve owned it since ’94 and during that whole time, it was garaged and only out on sunny days (well, maybe got caught in a shower or two). The odometer doesn’t work, and still shows the 97K miles as when I bought it. I don’t know how many miles I put on it, but I’m sure I averaged less than a thousand each year - so maybe 120K?. I drove it to the golf course, to the beach, for a ride up the coast, or on some winding country roads, and then back to the nest. Lots of Mother’s Wax and TLC. It’s pushing 50 years old (a collector’s milestone) and it’s a driver, so it has some ‘personality’, but no fatal flaws. For example, once in a while the tachometer likes to sing, but stops as quick as it starts. It starts, goes, goes well and strong. You’ll find some cosmetic flaws, but look at the pictures. Come on! It’s beautiful. I can see no rust. I won’t say there’s none, but the rocker panels, wheel wells and doors look good. The trunk, the usual sore spot for these cars, has some corrosion, but I’ve sealed it to prevent further rusting, and it has no holes. The paint isn’t perfect. There are a couple of small bubbles and a few micro-scratches and a chip or 2, but, look at the pictures. Enough said. The interior is pretty good. I was unhappy with the carpets, so had them replaced a few years ago. They look very good and blend very nicely with the interior. The seats show their age, but aren’t torn or anything and are comfortable. There are a handful of cosmetic things inside – the wood could stand a little TLC. The door panels are good, but not showroom. Aftermarket radio – not great, but good enough. A few chips and dings, but wear your glasses or you’ll miss most of them. Look at the pictures! (They only allow 24, and I tried to let you see everything, but if you have any questions or want to see more, I will provide.) I put a new soft top on it a couple years ago. More than $2,000 with some repairs to the frame! It should be good for a long time with proper care. The hard top is just fine and comes with its own stand and cover. I never used the hard top much as I seldom drove it except during the summer, but when I did I had no surprises. As you probably know, this ain’t no push-button top-up and down, but it is cool. I had the rear brakes completely rebuilt a couple years ago. Couldn’t tell you all the details, but have the records. They’re great now. The tires are new, and new muffler last year. It’s ready to go. Other than that and a few minor things, I didn’t do any major mechanical work other than all the necessary maintenance. It does drip a little oil from the seals, but not enough to warrant a rip up. The transmission (automatic) also leaks. I looked into refurbishing it last year, but my mechanic advised against it (and the oil seals, too). From a practical perspective, it would cost a bunch to re-seal and refurbish, and since it only uses a quart or two each year, it’s hard to justify. If for some reason the transmission fails, there are plenty or re-built ones available. I decided to deal with that if need be. It was leaking about the same amount 17 years ago when I bought it. Treat it right and I’ll bet it goes for a long, long time. I’ll be happy to let you talk to my mechanic. So, why am I selling it? Well, I’m retiring to the beach in a year or so, and I’ll have no garage there. I have too many grandchildren to fit, too! The time has come. I have thoroughly enjoyed buzzing around in this little gem. I love its timeless lines. It purrs at 70 and turns more heads than a supermodel. It carries 2 sets of clubs easily, even with the spare tire, and is comfortable to get in and out! I haven’t spent huge dollars trying to make a great car perfect, but I used and cared for it as though I was protecting an heirloom. And that’s what it is. Like the fellow I bought it from said, “Hey, you either love it or you don’t, and if you do, this one is hard to beat.”On Feb-26-12 at 04:02:09 PST, seller added the following information:My intention was to offer this item for US customers. I have no knowledge of the process of exportation, its cost or complexity. Also, I regret I cannot accept bids from people with very low feedback. Sorry for any confusion.