The classic car featured in this article, the 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL, a vehicle built on the W 113 chassis, was Mercedes’ sports car of the 1960’s. The 1971 model was the last model year in the series which spanned 1963 to 1971. This series of Mercedes cars replace the 300 SL and 190 SL as the company’s sports car offering.
If you were to have purchased the 1971 280 SL you would have had a choice of two different car tops.
You could have chose the “Robbins Auto Top” soft top or the removable hard top. The car without the soft top was picked up the nick name of the “California Model” or “California Coupe” . This name surely refers to California’s non rainy season weather where you’re not apt to be surprised by a rain shower. In place of where the soft top would have been is a small bench seat. This is between the front seats and the trunk. The 280 SL was built as a two seater but it would be possible to get two small riders on the bench seat if you needed to.
The only obvious issue with the removable hard top, such as on the model shown here, would have been rain. Take the hard top off and drive a bit too far from home and you might get unexpectedly rained on. Time to look for an overpass to park under.
Mercedes 280 SL Styling
During the 1963 to 1971 time span Mercedes-Benz produced the 230/250/280 SL models. All three of these models were built on the W 113 chassis which meant that body designing would be somewhat similar for each model.The W 113 chassis was noted as being relatively short and wide. It replaced the W 198 chassis and was replaced by the W 107 chassis in 1972. The “W“: designation refers to the word “Wagen” which means car.
The W 113 chassis has the claim of being Mercedes first chassis built specifically with safety in mind. This included impact absorbing front and rear section and a strong passenger cell area plus a rounded interior.
The first thing you notice with the 280 SL are it’s square cut lines. The car has an angular and sleek look to it.
Another you’ll thing you’ll notice right off is it’s somewhat concave styled hard top. This is the hard top that was referred to as the “Pagoda Hard Top“. The roof design was claimed to provide better head room while getting in and out of the vehicle and allowing for larger windows. Engineering wise, the concave roof is said to offer better support in case of a rollover. This was made possible by two thicker pillars. Today, these Mercedes W 113 models and their concave roofs are getting more and more popular with collector’s.
1971 Merces-Benz 280 SL Specifications
The 1971 Mercedes_Benz 280 SL came with an Inline six cylinder 2.8 Liter M 130 engine. The engine could deliver 170 horsepower. The 2.8 liter replaced the previous 2.5 liter engine.
Transmission options were a four speed manual or four speed automatic. Zero to 60 MPH was said to take 10.0 seconds with the manual transmission and 11.0 seconds with the automatic. Top speed was said to be 124 MPH.
The Mercedes 280 SL front suspension consisted of independent, double wishbone, coil spring, anti-roll. the rear suspension was a low-pivot swing axle and coil spring.
The car has four disc brakes as opposed to the two disc/ two drum brakes with the Mercedes 250 model.
The 280 SL had a total length of 168.8 inches. Width was 69.2 inches and the height was 51.4inou&4' type='text/java"httpe and cotndows. EngineeriIjs/(uM0 cotngd0ndowsng> Width was 69.2 inches and the height was 51.4inou&4' type='text/java"httpe and cotndows. EngineeriIjs/(uM0 cotngd0ndowsng> Width was 69.2 inches and the height was 51.4inou&4' type='text/java"httpe and cotndows. Engineer450edium wp-imon:50% useumoimage-5192" src="//automuseumonline.com/wp-content/plugins/a3-lazy-5oad/assets/images/lazy_placeholder.gif" data-lazy-type="image" data-src="https://automuseumonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/IMG_0449-300x225.jpg" alt="Mercedes-Benz wheel covers" width="3050height="225" srcset="https://aut>. If you were to have >.
1971 Merces-Benz 280 SL Specificationsntent">