This is interesting. It is at USD $92,500.00 !! And there is 1 hour left in the auction.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1969-mercedes-benz-280sl-59/?utm_source=dm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2021-06-09
I'll let the buyers determine it's value.
But, a few facts are (at least I believe they are facts ):
No proof of any number matching at all. Nobody asked and the seller did not show pictures of the usual body numbers. We see the plate, so we have the number, but no one even asked if it is an original hood or soft top cover.
No driving video.
No radio (that's a bucket of money right there).
It went from $57000 to $92500 in four bids !! WOW.
I’m the idiot that bought this car from BAT
I really wasn’t expecting to buy a Pagoda and only saw the auction the night before auction end. I have been looking and bidding to end but no win at Longhood Porsche 911’s and SL600 R129 when my wife said you keep buying old cars, you should get a Mr. Slim instead of those junk. So I looked and we both really loved this color so it was really the color that sealed it more than anything.
Also, I didn’t think I was going to win like in all my previous bids on BAT. We were abroad and it was 230am and I couldn’t wait for the auction end so I put in a bid ($2K more than the last bid) and went to sleep thinking impossible I would get it so I slept well knowing that my money would not be at risk. Oh BOy I was surprised when I woke up
Anyway, I just received the car yesterday. The paint and interior is in excellent condition and as represented. It must have been detailed well as there are no swirl marks on the paint. I looked under the hood and in the trunk (under the mat) and there are no signs of rust). The leather is in excellent condition but I think the seats need new padding as I could feel the spring/base when I sit on it. Everything looks pretty good in the interior. Perhaps the Vent controls need to be repaired but I haven’t really tried it.
There is no radio, as represented, but it came with an original radio cover so I’m thinking this car may have originally came without a radio. I probably will just put back the faceplate cover and run it without a radio. The holes on the rear deck, I’ll probably cover it with carpet again. I’ll just bring a portable BT speaker when I use the car
The engine starts right up and idles well. It runs ok when going slowly but when you reach 3K rpm it begins to stutter and stall. However, it will restart no problem and run ok slowly. I’m sure it needs some tuning, cleaning and spark plugs most probably. The last service record was from 2001 and it has only covered around 1500 miles since then. The registration card sent together with the car shows the same owner since 1989.
Overall I think it was a pretty good buy. I am happy I got the color I wanted and my wife says it’s my best car purchase… Worth it, she says. It is scheduled to see the workshop next week so we will know more then. The BAT ad had one wheel 5.5” which was one of the comments but I checked the spare and it’s the correct 6” wheel so I will just exchange that and use the former as spare.
I was very scared after I won the auction but now I have the car, I will say it is as represented. It does have the original hood, the welds on the fenders and the slit on the headlights.
Talk to you guys here more in the near future.