STANDWAGEN FOR SALE

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

I think it would be a fun read of member comments regarding this Scott Grundfor $650,000 Pagoda for sale

https://scottgrundfor.com/for-sale-1971-mercedes-benz-280sl-zf-5-speed-standwagen/



jb

[mdsalemi]

…I think it would be a fun read of member comments…

OK…well, first, no doubt about the uniqueness of this example, or of the integrity of Scott Grundfor.

BUT…how many times over the decades have we heard the terms “Holy Grail” applied to some otherwise unique Pagoda. More than once. There’s only ONE holy grail. You decide which Pagoda is the holy grail.

It is noted “chassis modifications”. Exactly what are these? Is there some customized sheet metal? Has the suspension, steering, sub-frames or something unseen, underneath the body, been changed or customized that sets it apart from all other Pagodas? That’s the inference to me, by chassis modifications.

The provenance cannot be denied but if it’s just finishing like polished valve covers, special paints or plating, I’ll keep my spare $650,000 that’s burning a hole in my pocket! 😉

There were at least two Pagoda owners I know of, the late Frank Mallory and the late Frank Cozza that loved the engine bay look of option code 997 and ordered it themselves OR modified their own.

[lreppond]

Nice car. I saw it when Phil Lutfy owned it.  The polished exhaust manifold and chrome plating where cadmium was typically used is a real eye catcher alongside the gloss black valve cover. It also has lead filled and painted spot welds! Btw, the luggage was Frankensteined.  It came from the type 230SL era. 

[Starchild]

Hmmmmm......who do I write the check to?

[Peter van Es]

The sales blurb tells that Claude Lelouch was the first owner of this car. For more info about him, read this post on our forum.

There is some interesting film footage linked in that article -- but now no longer available.... Very interesting to know that this love of Mercedes models did not just extend to the Mercedes 450SEL 6.9L, but also the Pagoda.

Only this one still works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHn5Q15kaIA
And this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmdR6B1DPac

[ejboyd5]

Here's a picture of my Standwagen as it appeared in 1956 on the floor of the New York International Automobile Show at the New York Coliseum and a picture of how it appears today. Back in the '50s, M-B had not yet assigned a production code or an SA number for the special attention accorded to a show car, but simply added the designation "Standwagen" to the Lieferschein.

[Davek1]

Obviously quite a unique Pagoda, but the chap doing the advert is trying to justify its asking price by any means he can think of. If he was selling the car by per word in the advert then he would be able to justify its price. I am sure they will find someone with more money than sense.

[JamesL]

What's going on to the rear of the battery?

[Bonnyboy]

I think that if that was mine I would have chromed the airhorns.  I have the red plastic ones in my MGB.

[stickandrudderman]

Doesn't look like original paint to me.

[zoegrlh]

I don’t think they will get the asking price,  don’t even think a museum would pay that price. Maybe they should contact the MB museum. They might consider it?