SL-eek Pagoda

SL-eek Pagoda

Mercedes is a brand that is praised for its rich history and beautiful classics, and the SL is right up at the top of collectors bucket lists. The 300SL Gullwing is arguably the most sought-after Mercedes money can buy, but there was a smaller SL that proved to be virtually as gorgeous and nearly as popular as the Gullwing. Let me introduce you to the 280 SL.

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To appreciate the SL nameplate, we must travel back to the 1950s, when Mercedes decided to build a race car. In 1951, Mercedes expressed interest in getting a model out into the racing world, and this was the birth of the 300 Super Light, which was later shortened to SL. Rudy Uhlenhaut was the man in charge of this racing operation and developed this new concoction of tubular aluminium and magnesium. In fact, the frame was so light that it only weighed 50kg.

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With lightness sorted, Mercedes needed a power unit that could keep up with the seasoned competition. The engine in question was the 3.0-litre inline-six from the 300 Adenauer Mercedes. This new engine delivered a healthy 127kW and proved to be exceptionally competent right out of the gate. Merc saw results almost instantly, with a double win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, four wins at the Nürburgring Anniversary Sports Car GP, three wins in the Prix de Berne, two wins at the Carrera Panamericana, and a fourth and second place in the Mille Miglia.

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It was a great start to the SL's life, proving that Mercedes could create some incredibly fast coupes. The only problem was that this Mercedes wasn't a road-going vehicle, and while legendary, it was the next edition of the SL that blew people's minds.

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The second variation of the SL was the 300 SL Gullwing, which began its life at the New York Motor Show in 1954. It was widely considered that the 300 SL Gullwing was the first supercar and the fastest production car at the time of launch. And although this car was utterly spectacular to look at, the doors stole the show.

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Unfortunately, though, the Gullwing didn’t last as long as it probably should have, as it was replaced with the SL Roadster in 1957. The Roaster was an open-top version of the SL with the same 3.0-litre motor. It was an utterly beautiful machine and had a small power increase. This leads us to the subject of this feature, the 280 SL ‘Pagoda’. It was given this name because of the shape of the roof, which reminded people of East Asian temple structures. This new generation of SL was simplistically beautiful and has continued to be one of the most iconic classics money can buy. Yes, it isn’t as outright striking as the Gullwing, which set the bar about as high as it can go on styling, but it was a sleek and classy coupe with a detachable hardtop.

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Mercedes stopped the 300 with only its first generation and offered the SL with a smaller engine option, the 2.8-litre inline-six from the 280 SL. Manufactured between 1967 and 1971, it was the biggest of three engine options for this generation, and I got to experience just what the craze in the 60s was all about. Finding a licenced left-hand-drive car in SA is special in its own right, but being one of the lesser-known yet important iconic cars ever made makes it particularly memorable.

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It takes a minute to get your head around the steering wheel location, but the seats are unbelievably comfortable. The supple spring seats absorb every bump as you look over the elegantly decorated, wood-finished dashboard. Everywhere you look, you notice high-quality materials, and I must say that the craftsmanship at play here is superior to most modern interiors.

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The 2.8-litre engine surprised me the most. I've driven my fair share of classics, but the power this inline-six has is almost overwhelming for a car of this age. It produces a potent 125kW mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox. It sounds good, too, and once warmed up, it rumbles like a classic race car, which you can't help but smile at. 

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The attention you receive in a car with such a desirability factor is unlike anything I have experienced before. As the car passes, everyone stops and stares, and you can barely finish a trip without someone looking to discuss the specifics. It's largely thanks to the excellent condition of this 1968 model.

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You should start saving now if you want to own a classic Mercedes SL, as prices start at about R2 million in South Africa. Yet, driving an SL is a unique delight that is unlike any other classic driving experience. Even though this car was manufactured nearly 60 years ago, driving it is just as, if not more, rewarding than a modern sports car.

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Spending time with a car like this rekindles the love for cars. It stands for the essence of driving itself—the rawness of an analogue sports car with the class and style of an era passed. It’s a driving experience that few will ever really get to enjoy.

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