1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL
Papyrus White with Blue MB-Tex
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Mercedes-Benz 280SL
Year: 1969
Chassis Number: 11304422008684
Engine Number: 13098322005494
Price: SOLD
Specification
Papyrus White Paintwork
Original Blue MB-Tex Interior
UK Supplied RHD Car
Automatic Gearbox with Power Steering
It’s not everyday that a car like this comes along. Sold new on 11th April 1969 by Majestic Garages in Bournemouth, Dorset. This wonderful 280SL, in the desired specification of an automatic with power steering, has led a very well cared for and cherished life.
Finished in wonderful colour scheme of Papyrus White (717G) with a Blue MB-Tex interior. The car has a matching hardtop and a navy soft top.
The bodywork of the car is fabulous, it retains all of its original panels, with lots of wonderful factory details still present all over the car, including the notches by the headlights, the spot welds on the front wings and boot floor. As a result the panel gaps are faultless. The car was fitted with Tex Mirrors when new, an British OEM supplier whose mirrors are found more commonly on Jaguars and Aston Martins of the same era. It even has its original number plates, manufactured by Ace with the stamping in the corner. These now show a wonderful patina!
The car received a partial repaint many years ago, whilst the general quality of the finish is good, the preparation was less so. In the 1980’s when the values of these cars was considerably lower following the release of a new model, cars were often treated to cheap blow overs to improve the paintwork. In fact they didn’t bother stripping most of the car when painting it. In reality though, it’s a blessing in disguise as today all the original chromework, clips and threads are beautifully preserved. The car now has a few minor marks, and a couple of areas that need minor attention, including the rear panel below the bumper and around the soft top flap. That said, it has been like this for many years and could be left alone for many more. The exterior chrome is all in lovely condition, with just the bumpers, which are dented but not rusty, in need of rechroming.
The interior in also completely original, bar the dash wood, and is showing a fabulous patina as one might expect having covered just over 90,000 miles. The seats and door cards and other trim is wonderful condition and even the carpets are still in good shape. The dashboard is unlikely to have ever been painted, with the original Blaupunkt radio still in place. All the interior chromework too is lovely. The wood on top of the dash has been replaced at some point, and although fitted incorrectly, it is in great shape. The seat belts have been replaced with inertia reel seatbelts, which are much more user friendly. There aren’t many cars with this mileage that are this original AND in such great condition, it really is a testament to how well looked after it’s been.
The engine bay is incredibly honest and original. Having been looked after by the right people, all the clips and hoses are factory correct. The firewall still has its original square pattern matting.
In the boot, the paintwork is believed to be original, with the factory tyre pressure sticker still in place. The original boot mat is present and in good condition, as is the spare wheel cover, housing its tool roll. All factory welds are present around the boot floor.
The car has fantastic history, It has the original book pack and importantly the service book. It has a continuous stamped history by Majestic, the supplying dealer, up to 63,764 miles in January 1982. Then Langstone in Eastleigh (official MB) at 65,152 miles in Feb 1995. Then SG Smith in Crystal Palace (official MB) at 68,061 miles. Thereafter it was looked after by Roger Edwards from 1999 to 2005, all this has been documented and stamped in book.It then moved to Wales with an elderly owner and serviced by Regent Garage (official MB) at 82161 miles in June 2006. He passed it to his daughter in November 2008 at 88,498 miles, who lives in Christchurch, Dorset.
Having owned the car ourselves for nearly three years and covered nearly 1,000 miles, we can report that the car drives really well. It starts on the button and is happy cruising on the motorway as it is in pottering around London. It’s fitted with correct Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres, which greatly improve the handling. It has recently been serviced by Roger Edwards Motors. There can’t be many cars left that still have one key to operate everything from the doors, the glovebox, boot and fuel cap!
It's not everyday that a car this lovely and original, with the history to back it up, comes along. It’s a fantastic opportunity to either cosmetically restore, or it could be tidied and used for many more years as it is. Not one to be missed!