Hi Nate,
Firstly, congratulations on your choice, I also have a 1969 280SL and have wrestled with the hard top on many occasions. As with most things, there is no substitute for carefully applied muscle and this task is no exception. There are four catches that hold the top on, one each side of the rear quarter windows at the back of the seats and one by each sun visor. The front two have removable handles which should have been given to you with the car hopefully. You then, lay some old sheets across the boot/trunk in case of accidents and something suitable on the floor where you intend to store the top and open both doors and all four catches. With the help of a burly friend take the weight of the top under the side window rubbers and lift. Be careful as it is very heavy. My burly friend used to be the wife but this caused so much angst on both our parts I decided to purchase a hoist. This is a simple manual version which is excellent, can’t remember where I got it from but was in the US and was about $350 I recall. In addition you can also get hardtop stands if you prefer to store the top on the ground as I do. Good Luck.
