Back in June 1969, Road & Track placed the Mercedes-Benz 280 SL last in a comparison of four grand tourers, ranking it behind the Jaguar E-Type, Chevrolet Corvette, and Porsche 911T. The editors noted it as the most comfortable, the least sporty, the busiest under the hood, and the priciest. But over 50 years later, it’s clear that the 280 SL aged better than most of its rivals—not because of raw performance, but because of its character and timeless design.

Today, zero-to-60 numbers don’t matter much for a 1960s grand tourer. What endures is how the 280 SL feels—its solidity, its style, and the sensory reward of something as simple as the satisfying thunk of its door closing. It was the final version of the model affectionately nicknamed the “Pagoda”, a nod to its removable hardtop’s concave shape. When the top came off and was stored in a garage, the SL became a clean, graceful convertible, a far cry from the flash of some of its peers.

280s
A 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL “Pagoda” fetched $168,000 at an RM Sotheby’s auction in 2019, reflecting the model’s enduring appeal and rising value among collectors.

Mercedes launched the W 113 series—the internal code for the 230 SL, 250 SL, and 280 SL—in 1963, the same year the iconic 300 SL and 190 SL bowed out. Where those earlier SLs were curvy and glamorous, the new design was reserved and angular, previewing the look of two future generations of SLs. The 230 SL ran from 1963 to 1967 with a 2.3-liter inline-six. It evolved into the 250 SL in 1967, gaining a stronger 2.5-liter engine with a more robust crankshaft. Then came the 280 SL, built between 1968 and 1971, equipped with a 2.8-liter SOHC inline-six using mechanical fuel injection, good for around 177 hp. Most American buyers opted for the four-speed automatic, though manual options existed—including a rare five-speed in Europe.

The 280 SL has become the standout of the trio, with over half of the nearly 24,000 units produced heading to the United States. It strikes an ideal balance between elegance, comfort, and usability, which is why it continues to capture the attention of collectors worldwide. Mercedes offered an exquisite palette of colors—combinations like Tobacco Brown or Light Ivory paired with Cognac or Parchment interiors still stand out today. Restoring one to original condition isn’t cheap; the deceptively simple design masks an obsessively engineered car that demands equally obsessive restoration efforts.

For those considering ownership, the wisest investment is often a car that’s already been properly restored. Decent examples begin at around $70,000, with well-sorted cars easily fetching over $140,000. A concours-grade model can top $225,000, and premium features like factory air conditioning or a manual gearbox—especially the elusive five-speed—can push the value up by 25 percent or more.

Time may not have favored the 280 SL in that 1969 comparison test, but its appeal has outlasted every judgment made on paper. Today, it remains one of the most beloved and enduring vehicles of its era—not because it was the fastest, but because it was, and still is, unmistakably Mercedes-Benz.