A 55,444 mile textbook Preservation Car, featured on episode no. 70 of Hagerty’s Barn Find Hunter (Follow link Here), featuring Tom Cotter. This original Virginia Mercedes 280SL was purchased by a new car dealer in a 30-car package of barn find cars and was subsequently purchased by an enthusiast. This individual had Gus Kidonakis at Beverly Hill Motors in Houston to do an $80,000 preservation in preparing it for the road after its decades-long storage. You might ask, “How could someone possibly spend $80k addressing storage-related items?” We have all the receipts! The enthusiast, our client, found his situation changing and we acquired the car and now offer it to its next long-term caretaker. It is turnkey ready for the road and is among a very limited number of mostly original W113 Pagodas. Certainly, with something like 85% original paint, this car is in rare company indeed. This might be the holy grail of original 280SLs. (or one of a handful ???? left in the world). You can find the full walkaround video and test drive below: (scroll down for 100’s of still photos)

Beyond servicing and rebuilding of components affected by long-term storage, the only items replaced were those done for practicality purposes in order for the car to be used as was intended.

Upgrades – during the extensive work at Beverly Hill Motors a taller final drive gear set was installed for more relaxed freeway cruising. The engine speed is now lower for the same road speed compared to the typical 280SL on the freeway, providing less wear and tear, better fuel economy and quieter operation. No, you won’t feel a difference in acceleration under normal driving conditions on the street. An electronic ignition and stainless-steel exhaust system was also installed.

As Discovered (captions transcribed from the original video: episode no. 70 of Hagerty’s Barn Find Hunter)

Topless

Soft Top

Hardtop

Interior

Details

engine

Trunk

Undercarriage – This is not a restored car. These wheel wells have not been repainted. This is original paint on a 55,400 actual mileage car!

Service record; Photos of the preservation work in-process; numbers; Originality markers, etc.

[dealership_name Motoring Investments] [dealership_address 3287 F St., Suite A San Diego, CA 92102] [store_code 001]