The Mercedes was purchased in May 1971 from Van Housen Motors in Sacramento making this a California “Blue-Plate” car. The Mercedes was originally purchased and continued to be owned by one family! The current owner’s former father-in-law purchased the Mercedes to be his daily driver and passion while he built the most premier men’s clothing store in Sacramento. Towards the end of his lifetime, the Mercedes was gifted to his son. The son and his wife cherished the Mercedes and completed the restoration together from 2011 to 2013. The Mercedes was serviced and restored by Stephens Service Center in Sacramento since 1993. Their design for the restoration was to be just below concours level but a high-quality beautiful restoration yet drivable for them to enjoy together while they resided in Napa Valley, California. His wife is the sole owner since he passed and is ready to see someone else enjoy the beloved family Mercedes to make their own beautiful memories.

The two-tone exterior of the 280SL 022804 is finished in Horizon Blue (304 G) paired with a Midnight Blue removable Pagoda hard top (904 G) and a replaced stowable soft top of the same shade. The Mercedes was repainted (bare metal respray) with Horizon Blue paint when restored. The paint displays depth and consistency throughout remaining in excellent condition and the chrome trim is in excellent condition too. The windshield was replaced when restored with genuine Mercedes-Benz glass and remains in excellent condition. The hard top in Midnight Blue and dark blue softop are in excellent condition. Additional features include dual rearview mirrors, brand new thin-band whitewall tires, color-matched Mercedes hubcaps, and 14-inch steel wheels.

Inside, the Mercedes features dark blue MB-Tex vinyl bucket seats in excellent condition paired with matching rolled-pile carpeting that remains in excellent overall condition. The interior features beautiful wood trim, a period correct Becker Europa II AM/FM stereo upgraded with an iPod connection, white steering wheel that matches an original option, and functional gauges. Desirable upgraded amenities include air conditioning and rear-window defrost for the hard top. The seating position, switchgear, and ergonomics reflect the thoughtful construction that made the 280SL one of the most respected grand touring roadsters of its time.

Power is provided by the 2.8L inline-six producing approximately 180 horsepower, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. The Mercedes has power steering, disc brakes all around, and dual exhaust. During its lifetime, this Mercedes has been cared for meticulously, proactively and underwent a no expense spared frame off restoration. Unless unavailable, parts were replaced with original factory parts. The engine was replaced with a factory rebuilt engine special ordered from Germany. Key items that were completed in its history including a rebuilt fuel injection pump, distributor replaced with a modern improved distributor that delivers three times the voltage but looks original, the radiator was rebuilt featuring a high efficiency core, and fully replaced air condition system including compressor, hoses, evaporator and condenser. The right front fender is missing the weld spots on the inner trim though we don’t have historical information on why or when that happened. After being kept in storage and driven infrequently, the Mercedes was fully inspected and serviced to be road ready in November 2025. The items most recently replaced were all four tires (Phoenix 185R14), battery, bushings, valve cover gaskets, fuel line and all fluids.  The Mercedes is fully sorted and is in great mechanical condition!

This 280SL comes complete with original owner’s and service manuals, owner certificate card, new blue Coco floor mats, spare tire with cover in the trunk, partial service records, and four additional hubcaps.

For more information and details, please call or text Kendi Brown at +1.623.404.9042 or email us at sales@classicpromenade.com. This 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL “Pagoda” is available for inspection at our showroom in Phoenix. We are pleased to offer FaceTime or WhatsApp live video inspections, and we help coordinate shipping worldwide. We also have financing partners if you are interested in financing.

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This 280SL was bought new on the 5^th of November 1968 by Dr. George Geanekopulos from Ed Potter, Inc, the local Mercedes-Benz dealer in Columbus, OH.  Dr. George traded in his 1965 Mustang Convertible toward the purchase of the Mercedes.  Dr. George was a noted collector of cars and practiced dentistry in Columbus for 45 years.  He retained the 280SL within his collection for 50 years, until it was sold upon his passing on the 13^th of October 2018.  It is now presented with 33,082 miles from new and nearly all original except one excellent repaint and normal service.

This 280SL comes complete with all of its pristine original tools in the correct original tool roll, its original owner’s manuals, original service booklet with aluminum data plate showing Dr. George as its owner, original warranty card, factory data card, original Kangol seat-belt instructions, the original window sticker and sales invoice and a stack of receipts from new.  As an investment grade Pagoda, this is very well documented in all respects.

The livery is in concours-ready condition in its Dark Olive Green (Paint Code 291).  The paint is nearly perfect condition with a few very small imperfections that are only noticeable upon very close inspection (which is our role).  The body panel fit is perfect and all the important inspections for Pagoda’s check out: the spot welds in the engine compartment, the VIN stamp in the hood and hardtop, the notches in the headlight area, even the date code of July 1968 is revealed on the trunk seal.  Service stickers are still proudly displayed on the driver’s door from 1969 and 1970.  This 280SL is a proverbial time capsule.  The chrome and stainless-steel trim are all in excellent original condition.  The present owner had a Mercedes-Benz dealer install a new correct windshield and seals to add to the cars concours quality presentation.

The interior is also in nearly perfect original condition, with its original Cognac MB Tex (Trim Code 140) in excellent condition.  The dashboard, instruments, steering wheel and carpet are also fantastic.  The wood trim is also in excellent condition.  As you would expect, all of the instrument’s work as new and the Becker Europa AM/FM radio also works well.  It still has its original Hirshman antenna.  The original black soft-top is securely stowed under its compartment.  Incredibly, it has not shrunk and was easy to close.  It is in wonderful original condition but obviously is showing patina.  The hardtop is also in nearly perfect original condition, including the headliner and wood trim.

The engine compartment is also beautifully detailed and ready to show.  The original firewall pad is in gorgeous condition, which reflects the care this 280SL received throughout its life.  The 2.8-liter SOHC 6-Cylinder Engine has 170 bhp with its Bosch Mechanical Multi-Port Fuel Injection.  This 280SL performs brilliantly and our driving videos show you the wonderful power of this venerable powerplant.  Its Four-Speed Automatic Gearbox shifts perfectly at all speeds and conditions without any hesitation or unwanted noises.  Its Four-Wheel Disc Brakes inspire confidence in all conditions, feeling much like a newer Mercedes.  Recent work included the installation of a new stainless-steel exhaust system and Bilstein shocks.

For more information and details, please call or text Harry Clark at +1.623.404.9042 or email us at sales@classicpromenade.com. This 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda is available for inspection at our Phoenix showroom. We are pleased to offer FaceTime or WhatsApp live video inspections and we help coordinate shipping worldwide. We also have financing partners if you are interested in financing.

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