Weekly Motor Fix: 1970 Mercedes SL 280 Pagoda

24 May, 2016

This 1970 SL280 top-spec hardtop/soft-top (two-top) automatic (left-hand drive) convertible in the exceptionally rare and exquisitely beautiful Horizon Blue (with navy interior) is one of the finest examples you’ll find.

Most recently, this stunning work of road-going art has graced Canterbury’s roads, and wherever it goes its unmistakable shape and inherent elegance draws compliments like a magnet. The car’s owner, Tanya, has often been greeted with bunches of flowers left at the windscreen … one man even exclaiming, “A man would marry you for a car like that!” — and who can blame him? That man used to own one, and sold it — he knew all too well how special these treasures are.

‘Pagode’ (pagode is the correct German term for Pagoda), currently sports original Bundt alloys (available from 1969 as an option, and later these became very popular on many Mercedes-Benz models). Pagode also retains her original Horizon Blue–matching hubcaps, etc., and is complete with her original 1970 key, genuine Mercedes locking fuel cap, and vintage highly sought-after Becker Europa stereo. Pagode also has an immaculate navy soft-top, believed to have never been put up before last year, and the car has never been used on the road with the soft-top up.

This list simply goes on and on, all those little critical things that the in-the-know Pagoda collector looks for are here on this car in abundance. As only limited numbers were produced, and the SL280 twin-top is the acknowledged King of the Pagoda line-up, ‘Sweet Pagode’ — as she’s known locally — shines out as ‘the one’.

This car is currently for sale and expressions of interest, or for any further information, can be sent to [email protected].

Merry Christmas from NZ Classic Car magazine

The Classic Car magazine team is taking a few weeks’ holiday from the work computer and heading to the beach for some kickback time.
Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful summer holiday to all our readers, followers, and fans. Enjoy this special extra time with the family. We will be posting archive articles again in mid to late January.
Have fun, be good and be careful out there.

Two engines instead of one?

Popping two motors into a car is not only complicated, it doesn’t always end well. Donn Anderson recalls early attempts, including John Cooper’s ill-fated original Twini Mini built 58 years ago

For a boost in performance, better traction, and perhaps improved handling to some, two motors seems an obvious solution. It would also eliminate the need to develop a larger engine replacement from scratch, but would that outweigh the not inconsiderable technical difficulties?
The idea of using a pair of engines dates back at least 86 years to the Alfa Romeo Bimotor single seater racing car that was officially timed at 335km/h, or 208mph. Taking a lengthened Alfa P3 chassis, the Italians fitted two supercharged straight eight 2.9-litre and 3.2-litre engines, one in front of the cockpit, and the other behind the cockpit.