mercedes page

If you arrived here though a search or web surf, click HOME to get to the main page for full site functionality, site index & our contact info.

You can view the process of restoring client's 280SLs & 190SLs from the "Client restoration page" link at the left.

Our current Mercedes inventory is followed by recently sold cars:

Currently most of the cars you see above are available (just sold the white/tan).

In ascending order of price:

A bit tired cosmetically. Drive as-is or hire us to build your "dream" car.

$24,900 Photos

A fully restored, one owner California car with about 2000 miles since completion. Never rusted, all correct body number stamps, both tops.

Have it the way you want it. Air-conditioning? Tan upholstery? We can do it all!

One owner San Diego car with only 65k actual miles! Fully serviced in our workshop & driven by Brian weekly. This is a "Time-Machine" original car that looks fabulous and drives the same way.

All of the body number stamps
Factory spot welds
Matching number engine
Original factory undercoating
Original color code # 180 Silver
100% original interior upholstery
Original fire wall pad
Never re-painted trunk floor
Original spare tire still in the trunk
"Frigiking" air-conditioner, all the tools & books. $49,900 Photos Compare this to #56 below

Restored to world-class standards in our workshops. Originally from the warm, mild Mediterranean area of Italy so it has escaped without rust. #180 silver w/red leather upholstery. More info on the photo page.

$59,900 Photos

This car has 39,000 original miles and is a documented two family, California car. I bought this car from the 70 year old son of the original owner. Air conditioning, automatic, original tool roll with the original spare tire still in the trunk! (new Michelins on the ground). Complete stainless steel exhaust system front to back. I can't imagine a nicer original 280SL. Factory color #158 White-Gray with Cream leather.
Exterior photos Interior photos Engine photos

$64,900

Local San Diego, California car. We started with a never hit, never rusted well cared for car and brought it to world-class standards. If only the best will do - this is it!

We can restore your car to this level, however it is actually less costly to purchase one of our turn-key cars!

$75,000 Photos

Compare to 2 years ago pricing by viewing #46 & #48 below. Same quality car for $30,000 less money!

This is the presidential car of Nicaragua, owned by both Luis & Anastasio Somoza.
A historical treasure with complete documentation. More information on the photo page.

One of our signature cars and it has everything - California history, complete service file and rebuilt mechanicals. We located an original well kept local car and then lavished hour upon hour on it in a sympathetic restoration in our award winning shop (this took over 1 year). The original Phoenix Firestone is still in the trunk! Built in 1971, this is a very late production car, actually number 23,198 of 23,885 280SLs built.
$75,000 Photos

California car, #180 silver with black leather interior, both tops, rebuilt engine, same owners for 25 years, "birth certificate" from Mercedes, wonderfully original undercarriage, service record, owner's books, manuals, tool kit & the original spare tire is still in the trunk!
More details on the photo page. $43,575 Photos

A survivor with original paint! I've never seen this color before. It is #822 Forest Green and looks great with Palomino leather. Just in from one of our clients. Service history back to '86 is included. Only 120k miles.

Just in from one of my top collector clients who is shuffling his collection (he recently sold Carroll Shelby's first race car.)

38,128 actual miles!

Auto trans, Air-Conditioning, Becker radio
Super original "time-machine" Pagoda

Hard to find 280 with manual trans, a/c & power steering; also, one of the somewhat rare dual color code cars.

$49,500

Restored California car. Registered with a newer license plate but the old California Black Plate is included. Rust free and straight as an arrow. Service records included. Black w/tan seats, black carpet & tan soft top.

For the insightful shopper as it has all of the important details but needs restoration.
Click its photo page for all of the details.

A nut & bolt, professional, cost-is-no-object restoration on a rust free, California, black plate car.

The comprehensive restoration took several years during which time all of the mechanical components were rebuilt including the engine, transmission and differential. Mercedes-Benz had one new dashboard left in stock after all these years and it is now in this car.

It takes between 1000 and 1500 hours to restore a car to this level. While there are plenty of convertibles that have a had six figure restorations like this I can’t imagine that there are more than a handful of sedans worldwide that could equal this car. It even has a set of correct brand new NOS Michelin 7.25 R 13 tires. Maybe this is indeed the very best 190c Heckflosse in the world.

This car runs, drives and feels like a new car. Everything functions as Mercedes intended, even the clock!
$39,500 Photos

Just listed from the collection of one of my clients: This is the famous car from these pages that was restored in painstaking detail in our workshops click on "client restorations" in the left pane of the screen). White-gray (#158) with Black tops and light gray leather. Equipment includes: air-conditioning, auto-shift, power steering, power disc brakes, modern fully retractable Mercedes three point seat-belts and a Becker Europa Stereo with special hidden MP3 cable. Driven approximately 2000 miles since completion in 2005, this show winner has earned four trophies to date - one for every show its been entered in.
$103,000

Solid California car, both tops, receipts for much service and rebuilding over the last 10 years and 10k miles including engine, cooling system, brakes, driveline, suspension and steering. Light Beige w/ new Cognac leather. Very nice driver. Main Photos Undercarriage Photos

Comprehensive restoration in 1996. This would cost well over $200,000 today. Current owner just spent nearly $21,000 in our shop for a 200 hour freshening. Drives as good as it looks. All books, manuals, tools, service history, restoration log and photo documentary included. Selling for less than one half the cost of restoring one today:
$105,000 Photo Page

Note from buyer: "Hi Brian, Today I received the car *(finally...) with many thanks. It is simply
outstanding, especially the undercarriage. I think you cannot duplicate for
the money! Thank you once more for your excellent cooperation."
*(shipped to Greece)

As the Pagoda SL market continues to show strength, restored examples continue to crop up everywhere. Prices are unquestionably on the rise, but I would argue that the quality of some restoration work is not.

With that said, I have the distinct pleasure to represent an exceptionally restored example of a true 1971 280 SL( built Jan. 1971 ). This vehicle, 113-044-12-23247, is a proper restoration that was done at enormous expense. Its extensive file of receipts shows over $54K in restoration work performed by the esteemed Hatch & Sons of Wayland, MA, as well as $15K in interior leather re-trimming and soft top work from Gernold Nisius of SL Tech. Clearly, previous owners sought out only the most respected Mercedes craftsmen to care for this vehicle and it shows. It’s also important to note that this is a fully documented, low-mileage (66K) Pagoda. As such, it retains rare features like its original cognac multi-loop carpet.

The paint is a flawless #268 dark green (original color) that could only be described as exhibiting the “depth” that distinguishes expensive paint work. Panel fit is perfect and as-new, including the chrome grill. Sides are absolutely flat and ripple-free. Every telltale sign of originality is preserved throughout the body — spot welds, dimples, body numbers, engine number, everything. Chrome work is fresh throughout, as is a full, new cognac leather interior. The seats, door panels, dashboard, A-pillars, and even the glove box are all wrapped in cognac leather.

Also in the interior are an original Becker Europa AM/FM radio connected to a period-correct Hirschman antenna, updated inertia-reel seatbelts, re-finished wood, the optional rear defrost unit found in 1971 Pagodas, and even a pair of original soft top/hardtop handles in their original case.

As you would expect, you’ll find the trunk finished in unmarked satin black throughout with all the original factory mats and interior wall trim. You’ll also see its original Firestone Phoenix spare tire, as well as an original cognac MB-Tex toolkit that’s complete right down to the rare factory fuse pliers.

A true Coupe/Roadster, this Pagoda comes equipped with its original matching hard top (with optional roof garnishing), as well as a new, flawless, dark brown soft top that fits it like the proverbial glove. The soft top frame itself is straight and operates exactly as it should. (The rear window retains its tension when pulled up and does not flop down as so many do today after almost 40 years of use.)

Mechanically, this Pagoda is equally impressive. It drives exactly as the factory intended with strong acceleration and absolutely no smoke or undue valve clatter. It sports a fresh suspension, stainless exhaust system, and original floors that have undercoating applied exactly as it looked when it left the factory.

All in all, this is a pedigreed, no-excuses, true 1971 280 SL that is worthy of a world-class collection. It comes with references, extensive paperwork, and even a detailed log of its Hatch & Sons restoration. It can be driven and enjoyed today and needs absolutely nothing except an owner who can appreciate its distinct integrity throughout.
Photo Page listed for $75,000 SOLD for $76,000 April 2007
(sometimes there is more than one buyer....)

This car is the subject of our well documented restoration on these pages. It was done for our client who has had his fun, won his trophies and is now moving his collection in another direction. With limited garage space it is time for someone else to fulfill their automotive desires. There are seven pages of restoration details and many of your questions will be answered there. We started with an all original never-crashed, never rusted, numbers matching California car. This car has won numerous trophies and awards which you can see on the "Trophies Page". It was a joy restoring this magnificent piece of German engineering for our client who has become my good friend through this process. It will give me the same feeling of satisfaction helping the next enthusiast turn a desire into reality. Beautiful but made to be driven, our client drove this car one or two days a week and on several trips to shows and car meets for a total of approximately 2000 dry miles. The purchase includes a nice CoverCraft FormFit cover, a top of the line EZ Top electric hard top lift, all documentation, tools, books, original window sticker, etc. It is a very, very complete package that is unlikely to be matched for quite sometime. It is the only car to be featured twice on the German Pagoda Club's 2007 calendar (August and November).
We can restore your car to this level to your own unique specification or you can acquire this car for about one half that cost.
The Restoration Pages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Completed Photos 1 2 3 Trophy Page

Please Note: Hundreds of people have thanked me for posting these restoration pages as many have used them as a sort of authenticity guide. The "hit" or view counters at the bottom of all of the above pages started as soon as each page was posted during the restoration process and in the case of the "Completed Photos" pages, when the car was finally completed in 2005.

4-spd manual trans, 62,200 actual miles, Air-Conditioning, Becker radio

$59,500

Photo pages: One Two

First of the 107 series cars - the desirable "small bumper" model. This is the most powerful of the 4.5 liter cars rated at SAE 230HP. It has been very well maintained; service records, manuals, tool kit and jack are all included. These cars are starting to see price movement - get yours before they're priced like a 280SL.
$14,900 Photo Page.

8715 actual miles - absolutely original and unblemished - riding on its original tires with no detectible wear. For all practical purposes this is a brand new Mercedes SL. $47,500 Photo pages: Exterior Interior and documents Engine bay and details

California "black plate" car. Long term San Diego owner. Solid floor pan. Engine just professionally rebuilt. Driver level car. Photos: Exterior/Interior Floor Pan & Trunk

This actually could be the best, most original Mercedes 250 sedan in the world. This car is strictly original excepting replacement items like tires and belts.......the "Holy Grail" of collector cars. Special ordered and picked up under the tourist delivery program in Sindelfingen, this is the only U.S. version I have seen with a manual transmission; a four-on-the-floor! I've seen some exquisite Mercedes models in my time but I've never even seen one quite this perfect and original. $20,000 Main photos Interior photos

Here is a summary of this Premium Level Pagoda: Matching numbers( engine, color code, body stamps ), all original body panels, never rusted or crashed, original carpet on the transmission cover featuring the impossible to duplicate molded-in shift surround, correct body notches at the headlights, never re-painted trunk floor, actual 73k miles, tool kit, owner's books, original factory undercoat. If you've been looking for a 1971 U.S. 4 speed car, there were 360 made........I wonder how many were #180 silver?? $64,900 Main photo page. Undercarriage.

We just completed this car. It is a very well documented rust free California car. More information is on the first photo page. $74,900
Photo pages: Initial Exterior Interior Detail Undercarriage

This is a rare "California Roadster" or "Alpine Roadster". It is a configuration that deletes the soft top in favor of a rear fold-down bench seat. It has a body color matching hardtop and a huge stack of service records collected by its owner of 25 years. Remarkably, this car still has its original upholstery and carpets which are in very nice condition. Photo pages: Exterior Interior Engine & Undercarriage

Comments from the buyer: Cleaned up the car this weekend (from the open transport). Looks really nice now. (It)Runs beautifully. Even my
wife loves to drive it. She does not like to drive the 356. Thanks again for such a great car. Let's stay in touch. I hope I can convince my better half to go for a 190SL next year.

On this local San Diego car equipment includes both tops, factory authorized Frigiking A/C which has just been serviced, auto trans & Becker radio. It still has its original upholstery and has been in the hands of the same owner for 25 years. Photo pages: Exterior Interior Engine & Undercarriage

An incredibly original and outstanding car. Color change from Tobacco brown. 64,462 original miles. $57,000.
More details on the first photo page. Photos: Exterior Interior Rare details & engine

An original San Diego car in the hands of the same owners for 30 years. Still has its original tool kit, firewall pad, trunk mat, spare tire and Becker radio w/electric antenna. Brand new leather and carpets. Just 92,386 original miles and only 2500 miles on a valve job. Both tops, auto trans and air-conditioning. $35,000 Photo pages: Exterior Interior Engine & trunk & details Undercarriage

Horizon Blue(#304) with parchment seats. Both tops(dark blue soft). San Diego, California car. Last year produced. Like all of our cars, rust free and runs great. The original spare is still in the trunk. Late model 280's are rare with manual transmissions. Photo page: Exterior Interior Engine & Details Undercarriage

For the last 33 years it was the personal transport of the owner of a factory authorized Mercedes service center. During the years before he bought it in '72 he serviced it for the original owner. I have service records going back to the sixties. This car has been thoroughly gone through with rebuilt engine, suspension(new springs, shocks & bushings), brakes and exhaust system. There are approximately 40k miles on the engine. Don't miss the undercarriage photos. By the way, it is a myth that 280's are faster than 230's. Photos: Exterior Interior Undercarriage & engine

This is a two owner San Diego, California car(one owner for 33 years!). Original color. Original matching body panel & engine numbers per data card. Less than 100k original miles. New clutch, stainless steel exhaust and much more. Topping all this off is a ZF 5-speed transmission. Photos: Exterior Interior Engine & details Undercarriage
Comments from the buyer: I just got home from a 200+ Mile drive with the 280 5 speed, perfect day with the perfect car. Thank you. P. G. in N.Y.C.

Nice Arizona car. Both tops(dark brown soft), automatic, original Becker cassette player, working clock & original texture coat under the wheel lips. Like all of our cars, rust free and runs great. Original #670 light ivory w/cognac seats. Photo pages: Exterior Interior Engine & Details Undercarriage

This Signal Red Pagoda has been driven less than 1000 miles since completion of the ground up restoration. During this process, higher 3.27:1 ratio final drive gears were installed. This lowers the engine speed by 24% for relaxed modern cruising. This car won best in class at the Classic New Hope Concours d'Elegance and first place in a MBCA Concours, twice! $64,500.
Photo pages: Exterior Interior Detail Undercarriage Bonus

This San Diego, California car has equipment that includes leather, auto trans, power steering, air conditioning (just serviced), both tops and nearly new Michelin tires. There are only 27k miles on the rebuilt engine and of course it is rust free. Built in January of 1971 this is one of the final 280SL's built. Exterior photos More photos Undercarriage photos

The last owner is an 88 year old Mercedes enthusiast. Rarely do you see an SLC this well kept, original and correct. An $11,500 top end engine rebuild was completed less than 30,000 miles ago and it has just had a $1000 maintenance service. This is a need nothing car. The original spare tire and wheel are still in the trunk. Full factory tool kit. $10,900 Photos.

Just in. We sold this car to a San Diego enthusiast about 5 years ago. It drives especially nice and is a joy to run through the gears(4-spd manual). It makes a wonderful exhaust note that above 3000RPM is reminiscent of a big Austin-Healey straight six! #906 blue with brand new interior upholstery. Includes both hard top and soft top. Photo pages: Exterior Interior engine & details Undercarriage

Very nice car with both tops. Light Ivory(#670) w/Black interior & soft top. Recently serviced. photos: Exterior Interior engine & undercarriage

A nice straight honest car with auto trans. If you like 280SL's and you also would like a fold down back seat you will want to check the photo pages. The back seat takes up the space where a soft top would normally fold down into. Of course there is a removable hardtop. Yes, this is a rare factory configuration. Photos: Exterior Interior Detail Undercarriage

SPECIAL! 1969 280SL SOLD 01/05/05
This car was owned by my Mercedes mechanic's accountant for the past 35 years in San Diego, California. My mechanic has provided all the service for this car. It is original color white with original blue carpet, blue soft top (good condition) and beige upholstery. The hardtop is white. The paint shows the usual minor dents, chips & scratches of an un-restored car. The interior is usable. Mechanically it is great with full service history. We are simply too busy at the moment with other projects. This is a deal for the shrewd & knowledgeable buyer. First come - First served. I can Email photos. Send requests to: mail@motoringinvestments.com

This magnificent car has benefited from a 7 year ground up nut and bolt restoration. Engine was professionally rebuilt by a local specialist. Has the rare large window hard top, original radio and clock. These cars are headed upwards in price. It won't be long before we see top level cars like this one cracking $100,000(it already costs much more to restore one). $69,500. Photo pages: One Two Three Four

Just in is this medium blue San Diego car. Equipment includes automatic and A/C. More info on the photo page.

4-speed manual transmission. This is an extremely nice car. Both tops.
See the photo pages for more information. $23,500
Photos: Exterior & Engine        Interior

I recently had the pleasure of representing 280 SL # 113-044-10-018260 in a long-distance sale between an owner in New York City and a buyer in Washington State. Originally delivered to Geneva, Switzerland, this 280 SL is a wonderful example of a silver-gray metallic (180G) European Pagoda fitted with a 4-speed manual transmission, power steering, original black leather interior, 5-piece set of factory luggage, 3.69 differential, books and tools, and countless original details. A very special Pagoda. (Click here for a letter I received from the seller afterwards.)

These earliest of the W107 cars are just now becoming collectable. Don't wait until they are $35,000 like a nice 280SL. This car has benefited from a cosmetic and mechanical restoration. $14,900.

This car comes with invoices including one for over $10,000 for engine and engine ancillaries alone. Automatic, Air-conditioning, both tops (black canvas is new). You can't restore one to this level for this price. View the over 40 photos: Exterior. Interior. Close up details & engine bay. $39,500

This is a really nice car from Palm Desert, California. It has the original ownership packet including the data card. Equipment includes automatic transmission and both hard & soft tops in nice condition.
Exterior photos. Interior photos.

This is a rust free California 4-spd manual car in original colors of silver/black with much new. The suspension and brakes have been meticulously rebuilt. There is a new stainless steel exhaust system front to back. Just recently new leather and carpeting has been installed. The wood has been refinished. The original Blaupunkt radio works nicely and even the clock works. It features air-conditioning and has a black hardtop and a new black canvas soft top. $33,500
Exterior Photos Interior Photos What's under this pretty face?

Solid California car. Looks nice and drives well. A daily driver level car. Photos

California car never rusted or bumped. Original spare tire never on the ground! Incredible world class car. These mere words to not come close to accurately describing this breathtaking automobile. Air-conditioning, both tops, service records, automatic. Dark olive (looks black in some light conditions) black interior. $46,500
Photo page 1 Photo page 2 Photo page 3

This is a restored California car w/three tops. Included are $28,000 worth of restoration receipts. Manual 4-speed car. $29,950 Photo pages 1 2 3

A 1968 280SL that is an original San Diego car with a documented 71,123 miles. We have a complete set of California registrations that stretch back to 1968! This car is like a time machine - it is so original that experiencing it takes you back to1968.

This incredible specimen has had only the very best of care. It is truly an investment grade motorcar. This U.S. model was produced for just one year. It is the exact same specification as a '73 450SL. 1972 is the first year of the long running 107 chassis models and is considered by many to be the most collectible. In rare Carnelian Red over Parchment interior. $15,900

This car left the factory on February 5, 1959 and was delivered to its original owner in San Diego California. It has always been a California car. This matching numbers car has had a comprehensive frame off restoration to the highest possible standards. Over 2500 hours were invested and no expense was spared. The owner, an acknowledged expert in the field, contributed countless hours of research and parts procurement to the project. In the seven years leading up to the start of the restoration he set about on a worldwide search for many of the new or new old stock parts for the project. Every moving part inside of the original cylinder block are new except the crankshaft and connecting rods. The original tubular chassis and all suspension components have been powder coated. All other components have been finished as per factory specification. The body was disassembled and chemically stripped to bare metal which was found to be remarkably free of corrosion or damage. What body smoothing was needed was carried out with lead. The car was painted in its original color of Fire-Engine Red (DB 534) in acrylic urethane with product by the original supplier to Daimler-Benz, Glasurit. The black (953) leather interior was made up from matched vat-dyed hides from the original vendor, Roser.
    The accessories include the original Becker Mexico radio with Hirschman electric antenna, fitted luggage in Roser leather exactly matching the upholstery, chrome/polished wheels, factory hardtop, and the complete set of correct tools and manuals.
    This vehicle has won a total of seventeen Best-of-Show trophies and nineteen First-in-Class awards for a total of 36 trophies. At National Meets of the Antique Car Club of America it has won Best Restored Foreign Car (best of all national meets throughout the country), First in Junior class, First in Senior class, First in Grand National and First in Senior Grand National.
    Since restoration a total of 1900 miles have been completed to ensure engine break-in and proper functioning of all systems. $325,000

We consider the '72 & '73 small bumper cars to be the best picks for future appreciation. These cars have the advantage of less weight, more power and cleaner lines than subsequent model years. This car unlike the typical car found in the local newspaper classifieds looks and drives like a new Mercedes. It is an investment that you can drive and enjoy. $12,900. Photo Page exterior interior

Rust free San Diego car, same owners 26 years . Very nice daily driver level car. Both tops. Service records.

For the "do-it-yourselfer". This car is unrestored. It runs and drives great and needs cosmetics. Has perfect compression.