In Mercedes-Benz vernacular, “SL” means Sport Light (or, more accurately, Sportlich-Leicht), and came to represent what is arguably the world’s finest line of 2-seat sports cars. Each successive generation of SL has had its remarkable features, they’ve all been built to Mercedes-Benz’s exacting standards, and they’ve all pretty much set the bar for every other manufacturer looking to build a 2-seat convertible. If you want to play in the personal luxury convertible game, the SL is the bogey and every single automaker in the world will tell you the same.

With the prices on first-generation 300SLs skyrocketing, and their smaller sibling, the 190SL being pulled along for the ride, it was surely inevitable that a hungry market would turn their eyes towards the W113 SLs, of which this remarkably original 1970 280SL is a member. Pulled out of long-term storage in the summer of 2015, this is a shockingly untouched car that shows just over 46,000 original miles, which, in Mercedes-Benz terms, is hardly broken-in. Barn finds are all the rage these days, and while we can’t quite pretend that this one was tucked away and forgotten, it was neatly stored in a protected facility for nearly two decades, saving it from most of the ravages of time. A careful examination suggests that the Signal Red paint is about half original and half a high-quality repaint, most likely done in the 1980s when the car was last in service. The blending between the two is quite good and it’ll take a sharp eye to spot the transition, a feat that’s particularly challenging with red paint. Regardless, it was stored with a protective layer of wax on its flanks and under a car cover, so when it was exhumed by one of the more talented mechanics in the area, the bodywork remained in excellent condition.

This car has never been rusty or wrecked, and the only possible demerits we can find are some crustiness under the left rear bumper which has been repaired once already, and a small pockmark under the right front headlight where the paint was obviously chipped by an errant stone. Neither of these areas present issues to the preservationist and should the perfectionist wish to embark on a full restoration, these areas will not add significantly to the expense. Otherwise, the car is extremely straight, clean, and rust-free. The doors fit beautifully and close with the precision that, until you’ve experienced it, you just won’t understand, and both the hood and trunk close with only gentle pressure, not a slam. Of note, the chrome and stainless trim is excellent throughout, needing nothing to be used at almost any level, and the car includes accessory bumper guards and fog lamps. For fans of original cars, this is a very exciting find.

The black MB-Tex vinyl interior is superbly preserved, showing almost zero signs of wear. The seats are both unmarked and supportive, with good foam underneath that seems unbroken by the passage of time. The carpets are equally good, protected for decades under a set of accessory sisal mats with a new set still in the box in the trunk. Even the dash pad, which is usually the part that gets cooked by the sun in a convertible, is in great shape. The original wheel has been replaced by a wood-rimmed Nardi wheel with Mercedes-Benz horn button, but the original steering wheel, horn ring, and button are included with the car. All the gauges work properly and show bright faces and even the Becker Europa radio tunes stations bright and clear. The only notable issue is that the hard rubber “sliders” for the heater/defroster are broken, and if you’re familiar with these cars, it’s probably an issue that you expected. Fortunately, replacements are commonly available and relatively inexpensive. Also of note, this car is equipped with factory A/C, which, obviously, isn’t operational after all these years, but the mechanic who rescued the car is confident that it won’t take much to get it operational again (the system was never particularly effective anyway). Details such as the package shelf behind the seats, the vented seat backs, and the tray in which the convertible top stows are likewise in very, very good condition. And speaking of the convertible top, we believe it is the original black canvas roof that’s in remarkably good order, with only two small pinholes on the driver’s side that have been somewhat amateurishly repaired using duct tape—a professional should be able to make them disappear, thus preserving the car’s originality. And all SLs came standard with two tops, and this car includes its original removable hardtop which is in excellent shape, including the white headliner. In back, you’ll find that the trunk is almost as-new, with a rubber mat that’s still supple and what we believe to be the original Continental spare tire with cover and jack assembly. Under the rubber mat you’ll find the usual rust stains that are a result of moisture being trapped, but there is no actual rust on the trunk floor itself and certainly no perforation. This is not and never has been a rusty car.

The final iteration of the W113 SL carried the largest engine, a 2.8 liter inline-six with mechanical fuel injection. Its specifications may seem modest in today’s age of 600+ horsepower SLs, but remember the second part of the SL’s nomenclature: light. As a result, the silky smooth six pulls the sporty roadster around with effortless ease, feeling torquey and willing to rev with a snarky exhaust note from what we believe to be the original exhaust system. The engine bay is a benchmark for authenticity manuals, with only a few hose clamps deviating from factory spec. You can see echoes of the mighty 300SL in the long-tube fuel injection manifold, which bolsters torque production, but even details like the cad plated fuel lines and oil cap are still brightly plated. The power brake booster is original, the intake bellows are original, the reservoirs are original, and, well, you get the picture. With little more than a deep cleaning, this car is ready for preservation class judging.

Underneath, it’s the same story, with neatly undercoated floors that have been protected from day one and still show crisp seams and no signs of rot. The 4-speed automatic transmission snaps to attention the moment you move the shift lever, not after a second or two like many tired SLs, and the shifts are crisp. We have not explored the outer limits of the car’s performance, of course, because the 185-14 Michelin white stripe radials are probably 40 years old and are likely only the second set of tires this car has ever worn. It does, however, start instantly and idle beautifully and it accelerates strongly in any gear without any fussiness or smoke. It’s not even much of a leaker, a testament to Mercedes-Benz build quality. As I mentioned, we believe the exhaust system is original, and there’s an ancient patch on the muffler, which also shows MB part numbers and markings and is still tightly affixed to the undercarriage and doesn’t make any crude sounds. It’s greasy, but the critical thing on any old car and particularly on an SL is that there is zero rot. The brakes have been serviced with new calipers, the fluids have been changed as you’d want after decades of storage, and we’re working on removing the ancient (and now useless) security system that’s been quite expertly wired into the car’s ignition.

We rarely call cars investments, but with the meteoric rise in W113 SL values over the past five years, this car is positioned as the rarest of hobby vehicles: the one that will pay you to own it. Quality SLs are now trading at the $100,000 level, and this car represents a very rare find: outstanding originality that’s still eminently usable and presentable. If you prize authenticity, cars like this 280SL are very exciting.