This 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL was ordered new by a US Naval Officer through European Motors, Ltd. in San Francisco, California, with European delivery. It was acquired by the current owner in 1994. The car is finished in Dark Olive over Bamboo MB-Tex and is powered by a 2.8-liter inline-six paired with a ZF five-speed manual transmission and an optional limited-slip differential. Equipment includes a black convertible top, 14″ steel wheels with painted covers, power steering, and a Becker Mexico AM/FM cassette stereo. This W113 SL is now offered on behalf of the owner in New Hampshire with an owner’s manual, stamped maintenance booklet, data plate, data card, and a clean Massachusetts title in the owner’s name.
The W113 SL was designed by Friedrich Geiger, Béla Barényi, and Paul Bracq and was introduced to the public at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show. This example is finished in Dark Olive (291) and features a black convertible top, US-specification headlights, dual side mirrors, a rear fog lamp, and chrome bumpers. The seller notes that while the data card indicates the car was built with a hardtop and no convertible top, a convertible top was fitted at the Mercedes-Benz factory prior to initial delivery.
The 14″ steel wheels feature covers with Dark Olive painted centers and are mounted with 185/75 Hankook Kinergy ST tires. The car was factory equipped with power steering and four-wheel disc brakes.
The cabin houses bucket seats upholstered in Bamboo MB-Tex that extends to the door panels. Interior appointments include an analog clock, a floor-mounted gear shifter, a heater, tinted glass, and a Becker Mexico AM/FM cassette stereo. The data card notes that a third sideways rear seat was ordered, but the seller states that the floor brackets are not present and there is no indication the seat was ever installed.
The two-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and frames VDO instrumentation including a 140-mph speedometer, a tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline, and vertical gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 2,700 miles and has rolled over.
The 2.8-liter M130 inline-six was factory equipped with a Bosch mechanical fuel injection pump and was rated at 180 horsepower and 193 lb-ft of torque when new. The engine block was replaced under previous ownership, and the original engine number (983-10-000316) was stamped onto the block with the “8” and “3” inverted. The oil and filters were changed in preparation for the sale, and compression test readings are provided in the gallery.
Power is routed to the rear wheels through a ZF five-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential with a 4.08:1 final drive ratio.
The transmission features a casting date of August 23, 1966, and carries serial number 2487. The seller notes that while the data card indicates a four-speed manual transmission, the five-speed unit was fitted at the factory prior to initial delivery.
The data plate decodes as follows:
- 491 – U.S. version
- 503 – Left outside mirror
- 515 – AM/FM Becker Radio
- 219 H – Dark Olive
- 5 – Hardtop mounted on car, no soft top
- 113 – Mercedes-Benz W113 body
- 044 – 280SL
- 1 – Left-hand drive
- 0 – Manual Transmission
- 7 – US Market Version
- 00166 – Production number
- 80565 – Body number
A seller-provided decode of the data card is shown above, and also lists the following options:
- 256 – Rear Axle with Limited Slip Differential
- 401 – Single Seats
- 415 – Hardtop Only, No Soft Top
- 422 – Power Steering
- 462– Rear Fog Lamp
- 491 – U.S. version
- 503 – Outside Rearview Mirror on Left Side
- 515 – AM/FM Becker Radio for U.S. Market
- 525 – Paint Repair Kit
- 565 – Rear Seat Used on SL Models
- 591 – Tinted Glass
- 601 – Oil for Limited Slip Rear Differential
- 663 – 50 Liters of Fuel