1969 280 SL - Original Owner

[49er]

I bought this 280 SL back in September 1968 and after many decades of storage (and finding a good mechanic) she is finally back on the road. It was in amazingly good shape mechanically with exhaust system, tires, and the heater control lever assembly being the big ticket items. Of course all the fluids were replaced, gas tank cleaned, all new belts, hoses and filters, new master cylinder, clutch master cylinder, etc  The car is 100% original (even the soft top is still in great shape) with 70K miles. The door/side window and trunk weatherstripping are on my list of things to do but in the mean time, my wife and I are having the time of our lives driving our old friend again.

49er

[tuultyme]

Real nice beautiful car.  And the original owner!  I am sure those are not the original tires?

[49er]

Original window sticker. Those were the "good old days" for sure!
49er

[49er]

Real nice beautiful car.  And the original owner!  I am sure those are not the original tires?

 Nope. The old Michelins had seen better days for sure. Those are Fisks.
49er

[Ulf]

Wow - that's a nice car, but how come it was stored for so long?

Ulf

[49er]

Wow - that's a nice car, but how come it was stored for so long?

Ulf

 Marriage, new home, children, sedans then Mini Vans in that order. Then the children move away, retirement and another new home. Home is finished now and then lots of nagging from friends and family to get the car in running condition. Best investment I ever made!

49er

[Ulf]

Tell me about it! I'm in the middle of it with two small kids, but so far I've managed to also keep the pagoda on the road - but surely, if I at some point have no alternative and need to prioritize logically, it would be stored away for better times. Good thing that you didn't get completely rid of it as so many people have done only to regret it later ;-)

Ulf

[MichaelB.]

Excellent thread. Welcome to the club of original unrestored high quality driven examples. Yours looks to be wonderful.