280SL California Coupe

[BobH]

This is listed at the moment on an auction site.  Whoever wrote the description must have been an Estate Agent (Realtor) in a past life

“not only is it the sought-after 280, but it’s got the seldom-seen manual transmission and it’s a coupe ‘California’ model – which means it came from the factory with a generous rear bench seat”

[Paul99]

yep, perfect for the UK weather.   I am surprised they didn't say "great weight saving by not having a fold down top"

[Mike Hughes]

First two rules of advertising:  Accentuate the positive.  Avoid mention of any potential negative . . .

[thelews]

Not to offend anyone, but I think the CC coupe was one of MB's dumber ideas.

[MikeSimon]

Not to offend anyone, but I think the CC coupe was one of MB's dumber ideas.

Not that I am a fan of the coupé, but this could be argued about. If one has absolutely no need for a soft-top, two additional seats would come in handy from time to time.
I attended a Porsche symposium and one of the Podium members (I think it was Norbert Singer) responded to the question whether Porsche would ever make a mid-engine 911 and he said: No way. The rear seats are essential to introduce the kids to the 911. Without that, you will not raise a new generation of enthusiasts! (tongue-in-cheek)

[thelews]

The 113 had a kinder seat as an option

[MikeSimon]

The 113 had a kinder seat as an option

Just for one.....

[Raymond]

I love my Coupe but the "generous rear bench seat" is only good for legless children.  I leave it flat most often because it does provide a generous rear load platform. 

[zoegrlh]

Remember, not to use it for kids or anyone for that matter because when the w113 was introduced in Europe there was no mandate to use seat belts therefore none were developed for the seats , particularly the Kinder Seat. Only those SLS produced for US market did belts have to be fitted, but still not for the Kinder Seat. Actually small children fit fine and the foot well fits them just right. With our (US) seatbelt laws, our small kids must be in an approved DOT child car seat. However, for adults, backseat belts are not against the law if not being used while car is traveling. So the Kinder Seat is an option that, when at car showed, I get a lot of questions about mind. Bob

[john.mancini]

I agree with John. It's hard to figure out why MB made the California Coupe. If you needed a back seat for your kids and you were a MB buyer back in the 60's, why not buy a MB 250 or 280 cabriolet?

[Raymond]

I recall the 1966 Mustang being advertised as a "2+2".  I have often wondered if that influenced MB to offer one.  I have successfully carried two adults in the back seat, but one of them was 5'1" tall and I had to slide the driver's seat uncomfortably forward even for her.  The passenger seat isn't so bad without the steering wheel, but you can't put a 6-foot, 225 pounder in the back.