1971 280SL

[mdsalemi]

https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/7236-1971-mercedes-benz-280sl/

This just came into my email.

[johnk]

That’s where I bought mine. They were happy to spend time with me when I came down for the inspection as most of their buyers are online only.

Great car collection to see while you are there.

[Rothko]

That is a stunningly beautiful car.  And for that price, it should be.

[Cees Klumper]

At first glance the way the photos are presented makes it look more like a scale model. Should be a 100% good or better than new Pagoda for almost $300K. Tempts me to undertake the same full restoration I am now finishing on my Lancia, and touch a $200K net proceeds ...

[mdsalemi]

At first glance the way the photos are presented makes it look more like a scale model. Should be a 100% good or better than new Pagoda for almost $300K. Tempts me to undertake the same full restoration I am now finishing on my Lancia, and touch a $200K net proceeds ...

That’s the professional photo style that Hyman uses on nearly all their photography. Expect the same photographic treatment if you’re selling a Pagoda, Porsche or dare I say, a Gogomobil.

The new (Jan-Jun 2022) Hagerty Collector car price guide is out; so check the Lancia values prior to undertaking such a restoration!

[MikeSimon]

Some of the best "car for sale" photos can be found on BaT for the cars sold by 911r in Oregon. He has a professional photographer who does outstanding work

[thelews]

I've always found Hyman's pricing to be aggressive.  This example looks beautiful, don't almost all of them in pictures?  For the money being asked, I'd expect the soft top to fit better.

[mclewis]

A bit off topic, but, what battery did they use?  I looks like a Mercedes-Benz battery, but not one that I recognize.

[mdsalemi]

I've always found Hyman's pricing to be aggressive.  This example looks beautiful, don't almost all of them in pictures?  For the money being asked, I'd expect the soft top to fit better.

All of the dealers will be somewhat "aggressive" in price, Hyman being no different. Note that this was a car restored by the Classic Center, so it was done at an exceedingly high price that the owner is trying to recoup (he probably won't) and of course, there's the fees charged by Hyman.

[lreppond]

I agree with Michael.  This is a top notch restoration and anything from the Classic Center commands a high price.  Didn’t one such model just sell for $300K+ at an RM auction that was also a Classic Center restoration?  I think it was an olive green model with a bamboo interior.

I’d love to do such a restoration but it is well beyond my means.  I’m just happy that others do.  Anyone willing to preserve or restore these cars should be applauded. 

[Mike Hughes]

A bit off topic, but, what battery did they use?  I looks like a Mercedes-Benz battery, but not one that I recognize.

Looks like the modern Mercedes-Benz battery available through any M-B dealer parts department.

[thelews]

one just sold for big money at Gooding Amelia and didn't look THAT great.

[Pinder]

I think with a lot of classics that can be restored it does make sense to pick a model that is in demand and spend the hours to make it the best you can. there is a different in price of parts but its the labor that really adds up but if you enjoy what you do and have fun with it why not invest the time?

[mdsalemi]

one just sold for big money at Gooding Amelia and didn't look THAT great.

https://www.goodingco.com/lot/1971-mercedes-benz-280-sl/

[MikeSimon]

There was a guy on BaT just a couple of days ago in the comments about a Pagoda, who claimed he looked at this car and declined to bit because it had quite a few issues.

[lreppond]

Here’s a link to the RM auction I mentioned earlier in this thread.  This particular Classic Center restoration sold for a whopping $335K.  Makes the Hyman, Ltd car look like a bargain!   

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo21/monterey/lots/r0120-1968-mercedes-benz-280-sl-pagoda/1129312

[Charles 230SL]

beautiful!

[Pinder]

its beautiful.

[johnk]

Take a look at the door panels. They don’t look right to me. For $335 k it looks like an older restoration. The brake reservoir is yellow the dash pad is the old incorrect style. Just surprising for that price

[lreppond]

There are a number of incorrect elements in the $335K car.  Most members here can point them out.  But in this case being a Classic Center restoration, having the car represent the centers work at Pebble Beach and then being owned by a noted collector all contributed to that price.  When you get into that echelon, it’s all about provenance. 

[mdsalemi]

When the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center restores a car, they can only use genuine Mercedes-Benz parts. Because of that rule, sometimes they are forced to use used parts in a restoration. Since a lot of parts are no longer available it can lead to some interesting results in restorations…like yellowed brake fluid reservoirs or some interior bits that just don’t match.

[Pinder]

I noticed the dash pad and the fact you can get a newer version to look like the originals and for the amount it sold for id expect it to look like the original. still im sure it takes some labor to do a full nuts and bolts renovation. 

[Mike Hughes]

Looking at the VIN it appears to be one of the first 200 280SLs produced.  Might an early 280SL have had a slightly different appearing dash pad from the bulk of subsequent production, maybe more like that of a later 250SL, or am I missing something?

[Jonny B]

There is nothing much listed for the first 350 or so cars in the list of changes from the Engelen book. The only thing of note was the switch the one piece wheel covers at VIN ending 00045, and new type hose clamps at VIN ending 00053.