This very original and superbly documented 280SL “Pagoda” had only one owner from new until 2015, later residing for years in the noted Mercedes-Benz collection of Dr. L. Philip Lutfy. Presented today in its rare, data card correct original paint color of 268 Green over an impressively well-kept original 140 MB Tex interior, this W113 comes with original 4-piece luggage set, all original books and tools, original owner aluminum data plate and an extensive history file including original purchase invoice.
Highlights
- One owner from new until 2015
- Ex-L Philip Lutfy Pagoda
- Impeccable documentation from new
- Chassis no. 113044-12-009643
- Engine no. 130983-12-005851
- Matching numbers
- 268H Green paint
- 140 Cognac MB-Tex interior
- 268H Green hard top
- Fuel-injected 6-cylinder engine
- 4-speed automatic floor shift
- 4-wheel disc brakes
- Becker Europa AM/FM radio
- Original Mercedes Collection Luggage
- Original purchase invoice
- Original aluminum ID plate
- Original warranty card
- Original service booklet
- All original books and tools
- Copy of factory data card
- 75,503 original miles
Green Gem 280SL Pagoda
According to the factory data card for 280SL chassis 009643, the car was completed by Mercedes-Benz on April 29th, 1969 and delivered new to the United States painted 268H Dark Green with a 140 Cognac MB Tex interior. The Pagoda was well-optioned with an automatic floor-shift transmission, hard top mounted in body color, power steering, bumper overriders, tinted glass, chrome roof bars, white wall tires, instruments in English, an outside rear-view mirror on the drivers side, and a Becker AM FM radio.
As documented by the original sales invoice included in this superb W113 Mercedes’ enviable history file, this 280SL was purchased new from Edward K. Cumming & Co., Inc of Elizabeth, New Jersey on August 25th, 1969 by Charles T. Davis of Coltsneck, New Jersey. Within a year of purchasing the 280SL in New Jersey, the car was taken cross-country by Davis to California where it would spend the next 46 years under his ownership.
During his ownership tenure, Charles Davis accrued and kept detailed mechanical maintenance records documenting the consistent servicing work he commissioned to be performed on the car. Of particular note, the only major cosmetic work done on the car was a professional repaint in 268 green, the original exterior color of the car. In addition to maintenance receipts, the 280SL’s history file contains numerous registrations from the Davis ownership along with the original purchase invoice from August of 1969.
In 2015, the car came to the attention of well-respected Phoenix, Arizona based Mercedes collector Dr. L. Philip Lutfy. Known as a connoisseur of the highest quality, long term ownership Mercedes-Benz classics for nearly 60 years, Dr. Lutfy purchased the car from Davis, thus adding the dark green 280SL to his stable of rare W113 chassis cars. Just as Charles Davis had meticulously cared for this very original 280SL, so to did Dr. Lutfy once he became the Pagoda’s second owner as he stored and maintained the car along with his Father’s 1963 300SL Roadster, Mother’s 220S Coupe and ZF 5 Speed 280SL Factory Show Car among other special Mercedes classics.
In 2019, as his collecting pursuits were winding down after over six decades of collecting, Dr. Lutfy sold this 280SL to its current owner, a German based collector also known for his appreciation of unusually well-cared for classic Mercedes-Benz classics. The car was sent back to the United States in mid-2023 to be offered for sale by Scott Grundfor Company.
280SL Coupe/Roadster chassis 009643 presents today as originally delivered in 268 Dark Green paint with a superb factory original 140 Cognac MB Tex interior and an impressively kept original engine bay. Aside from the one repaint performed at the behest of the original owner, Charles Davis, the car is cosmetically fit for Concours showing and remains in a very original condition. The majority of the chrome all the exterior rubber on the car has been redone to match the high standards of the paint quality while the engine bay is essentially untouched as original with an impressively clean presentation showing signs only of normal servicing incurred over a lifetime of enthusiast care. The undercarriage of the car is in original condition with original cosmoline undercoating still performing its protective duties while factory applied witness marks remain visible.
The mechanical condition of this 280SL matches the high standards set by its visual appeal, a testament both to the sheer quality of the Mercedes-Benz factory workmanship standards in period as well as the documented service attention the car has received from the day it was purchased new. In recent years, the car has received thorough servicing attention under the current ownership both in Germany and here in the United States while in the care Scott Grundfor Company.
Dressed as originally delivered in 268H green paint over 140 cognac MB tex and having benefited from single enthusiast ownership until 2015 with avid Mercedes collector ownership care thereafter, this no-excuses W113 Mercedes-Benz is ready for long distance and/or daily driving use. The car is fully serviced and comes with a comprehensive history file including service records from new, original purchase invoice, first registration from 1969 in the original owners name, original service booklet with aluminum data plate showing Charles T. Davis as first owner, original warranty card, an original 4-piece set of Mercedes Collection luggage suitcases in the trunk, copy of the factory data card and all original books and tools.
