1970 Mercedes-Benz SL 280 Pagoda

A 1970 W113 280 SL — the final and most powerful iteration of the Pagoda lineage — finished in Silver Metallic over Bordeaux leather, returned to concours standard by Hemmels. The Welsh restoration specialist is widely regarded as the benchmark for W113 rebuilds, and cars that have passed through their workshop command a clear premium over standard restorations thanks to the depth of the metalwork, trim and mechanical refurbishment involved.

This example pairs the desirable four-speed automatic with the removable hardtop that gives the Pagoda its name, making it equally usable as a summer tourer or year-round classic. The 2.8-litre M130 straight-six, with its Bosch mechanical fuel injection, delivers the relaxed, torquey character that has made the 280 SL the most sought-after of the W113 trio.

At 93,000 recorded miles the chassis has travelled, but the benefit of a full Hemmels rebuild is that condition is effectively reset; what the buyer is acquiring is a car finished to a standard the factory never achieved, in a colour combination that flatters the W113's Paul Bracq lines.