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Mercedes-benz 280SL (p131), Aston Martin Vantage (p132), Citroën DS19 (p135) and 1959 Mini (p136) temptations reviewed and rated
This early manual-box 280SL received a massive restoration completed in 2014 by Heaney Motor Co in Ireland, detailed in 600 photos, 500 of which cover the comprehensive replacement of metalwork. Even the hardtop received remedial work. Total cost was reckoned at £85,000, with various bills since from Pagoda specialist Roger Edwards after it came to England in 2016.
The overall appearance is like new despite mileage of 93,322, although storage immediately after it was finished has resulted in hints of corrosion starting on engine ancillaries and connectors.
Starting from the front, the little swage ‘nicks’ inboard of the headlights are present, and just the right size, but there are one or two small bubbles on the chrome headlight trims. The swage lines down the sides of the car line up from the wings to the doors, although the right door-to-body fit is slightly better than the left. The sills are perfect, sporting the correct rubber drain outlets, and the underside of both rear chassis legs feels dead flat, without the usual weld repairs or sticky underseal.
The paint, in the original Silver Grey, is excellent, even around the bonnet opening which often gets chipped, with just a couple of tiny dust marks in the finish. All chrome including wheel trims is just about perfect, although there are a couple of tiny dings in the left door trim strip. The bumpers are original, the front one showing a couple of mild ripples under the rechrome, plus one tiny ding on the left side.
Tyres are almost-unused Michelins, their 2015 date code corresponding to the end of the restoration, since when the car has been driven fewer than 100 miles, with an old Sterling on the spare. Fuel tank, fuel pump, dampers and exhaust are all new.
Inside, the original MB-TEX has gone, with a retrim in perforated leather that’s still unworn. The dash-top is also trimmed in leather. Carpets and seatbelts are new. Timber has been redone to just the right finish and the Becker Monza cassette player apparently has modern connections. The driver’s door glass is slightly scratched.
The motor is tidy with clean oil, but a light rub with WD-40 in places would help. Finishes are as-factory, including the cam cover and inlet manifold. Coolant is full and pink, with a slight weep from one union.
It starts easily with no tappet noise and drives very well. Synchromesh is all good and the low gearing is typically Sixties German. The brakes have good bite and pull up straight. Oil pressure, as you’d expect, is the usual Mercedes full-deflection 45psi, with temperature steady at a normal 180°F. The chassis is taut and quiet, the power steering free from groans or moans.
It’s almost like a new car and although the asking price is at the top of the envelope, it’s doubtful you could replicate this car for less, given that rough Pagodas for rebuild start from £45,000 – and that’s if you could find a manual-transmission car.