Nothing was easy about Mercedes-Benz’s decision to replace the 300SL, and while the next car to carry the SL name, the 190SL, earned a following, it was very different from the 300. Mercedes-Benz’s corporate board asked for a car that would combine the affordability of the 190 and the performance of the 300, yielding the 230SL in 1963. That car was highly capable, as a famous victory in the nonstop, four-day Spa-Sofia-Liège Rally demonstrated, but still the cry came for more power under the distinctive hood. The original 2.3-liter engine begat a 2.5 and, ultimately, the 2.8 in 1968.

Despite its compact appearance, the 280SL is quite roomy and comfortable, and while it had a stout body structure, the removable steel pagoda roof raised curb weight to around 3,100 pounds, and the torquey and smooth seven-main M130 engine still drives it to 60 mph under 10 seconds.

While this car had previously been in the same hands in America for the last 35 years, it features full European specifications. That means that there is a different camshaft in the engine, and it produces 180 horsepower at 5,900 rpm. The European covered headlamp and bumper-mounted fog-lamp front end is quite desirable, and there are additional, subtle trim differences from American market cars as well, such as hard map pockets and additional interior brightwork.

Over the years, these SLs were highly popular in America, where they were generally equipped with an automatic transmission; however, this example is equipped with a more sporting four-speed manual. By 1970, production was winding down to make room for the upcoming V-8 models, and only eight hundred and thirty 1971 280SLs were built. With a November 20, 1970, build date, this is among the very last pagoda-roof Mercedes SLs constructed.

A recent refurbishment includes fresh Light Green Metallic paint over a new parchment interior, which features the ageless Becker Mexico radio. Records document the entire period of a single owner since 1978, when it may well have been bought from the original buyer. That extended tenure and the recent refurbishment have yielded a car in excellent running and driving shape, which is surely a great pleasure in owning the very last and greatest of the beloved pagoda-roof Mercedes-Benz SLs.