Mercedes Benz 280SL Restoration
Follow this page as we take a very original, low mileage
280SL and transform it into a world class automobile.





The above and below are pictures of the cars' engine bay as it arrived to us. A very clean and original Pagoda.
In this page we will show all the different stages of a world class engine bay restoration.
Follow along as we highlight all the details that a show winning car should possess.  We address every aspect,
from using the correct clamps to duplicating the dotology and decals for a factory correct look.

These pictures shown above and below, are to display the cars' originality. A very low mileage car is showing all the original and correct clamps.
At power steering reservoir			Topside of valve cover.
We will duplicate all the original dotology shown through out the engine bay.			At the firewall to the heater core, clamps are correct.
			At air filter canister
The pictures above are battery area. We removed the battery and tray to show the corrosion that often happens here.
As the engine bay is disassembled, we carefully catalogue and document every aspect of the build.
Notice the correct bolts towards the inside of the thermostat housing. Slotted bolts facilitate service and often times not present after decades of service.			The engine bay disassembly is meticulously documented. The photo below shows the distributor and the need for servicing.
The motor is pulled from its bay, disassembled and documented. All o-rings, seals, plates and plugs will be replaced. Every aspect of the engine and surrounding components is inspected.
The picture above shows us the difference between old and new engine mounts.			The old mount, pictured above left, is original to the low mileage Pagoda.
The engine bay parts are next in line for refinishing.			After prepping and refinishing, the parts look as new.
All the fasteners, brackets, clamps, fuel lines and plates are sent off to be re-plated. The gold and silver cadmium pieces are catalogued and upon plating completion, the pieces are sorted. Scroll down on the page to view the newly plated hardware and components going into the engine bay.
Before			After
The intake manifold, valve cover and other parts  have been de-burred and tumbled with a ceramic media to achieve the correct finish.
Before			After
Before			After
The fuel tank has been replaced with a NEW OEM Mercedes Benz tank. Notice the pads on the topside? These are to protect from vibrations as well as adding cushion against the trunk floor.
The photos below show the engine bay after being refinished. The gold cadmium plated parts are now ready to be installed.
The photo below highlights the  panels just behind the bug grills. These panels are to be "brush" painted to duplicate the Mercedes Benz factory look.
The owner of this car was so impressed with the progression of the engine bay restoration, that he commissioned our shop to restore and recondition the underside of the car as well. Scroll down to see pictures of the undercarriage and progress.
The pictures above show the front end with the sway bar back in place and its hardware. Notice the wheel wells from underneath?  Below are pictures of the wheel well refinishing process.
Above and below we see the pictures BEFORE the restoration.			Shown here are the wheel wells AFTER.
The rear end parts are powder coated to endure the road elements.
The rear end is now back into place and shown above.
The protective plastic liner under the door panel is still in place. This is carefully removed and placed back into position as the doors will be serviced for any rattles and loose window guides or blocks. The number on the backside of the door panel is also shown below. This number is found on many interior panels, it is called the production number.
The car has the original carpet and interior. Although 40 plus years of use did scuff up the door threshold trims. We carefully remove the old trims from the original carpet. We then remove and re-glue all the correct spacer washers to the backside of the threshold trims and install back into car.
These pictures below highlight the finished threshold trims.
The trunk is corrosion free but does need to be re-finished. The tar pads must not to be painted over. These secure the fuel sending units' wiring to the trunk floor.
Above are the before pictures. Below, the after pictures are displayed, highlighting the correct satin black finish.
The pictures above are of the car being disassembled to refinish the right rear corner. The images below are of the corner, close-up.
The images below display the right rear corner after we refinished in our body shop.
The original windshield, although in great condition from cracks and chips, is delaminating. Below, are pictures of the car receiving a new OEM windshield and new seal.
The engine bay is now completed and shown in the pictures below.
The engine bay images in the finished stage.
The picture above is the hood gap before the adjustments.		The image above and to the right are after the necessary hood adjustments.		Hood clearance is perfect.