1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL California Hardtop Coupé

• Rare California Coupé model
• Delivered new in the UK for onward export
• Automatic transmission
• Circa 35,000 miles from new
• Present ownership since 2012

This Mercedes-Benz 280 SL is an example of the 'California Coupé', a 2+2 version (first introduced on the 250 SL) that came with a rear bench seat occupying the space hitherto reserved for the convertible top. A removable hardtop provided the weather protection.

The last of a popular and extremely successful line begun with the 230SL of 1963, the Mercedes-Benz 280 SL was introduced in 1967 powered by a new 2.8-litre six-cylinder engine that produced 180bhp, 20 horsepower more than the preceding 250 SL's. The 280 SL's 120mph top speed was no greater but it was significantly quicker off the mark, its 0-60mph time of 10 seconds being a whole second better than its predecessor's. Christened 'Pagoda Top' after their distinctive cabin shape, these SL models were amongst the best-loved sports-tourers of their day and remain highly sought after by collectors.

Original letters on file indicate that this car was ordered new via Mercedes-Benz (GB) Ltd for delivery to Star Motors Ltd in Lusaka, Zambia. Its first private owner was Mrs Margaret Beddows of the Buckley Township in Lusaka, to whom it was registered on 1st October 1970.

By 1977 the Mercedes was back in the UK, registered 'WHP 997J', and its keeper was one William Wood of Milltimber, Aberdeen. The car was MoT'd at the time (August 1977) with 18,000 miles recorded. In 1984 its next owner was Charles Bevan of Ruislip, Middlesex and the car was registered 'CGB 99'. The mileage at the time was 22,000 (MoTs on file).

Re-registered 'JBY 416J', the car was sold to a Mr K Benjamin in May 1999, the 28,000 miles recorded at the time being believed genuine. The next registered keeper, Mrs Georgina Frost of Bridgewater, acquired the car in 2003 (the mileage was then circa 30,000 miles). Our vendor purchased the Mercedes in 2012 at 30,150 miles, so clearly it was not used in the previous ownership. There are some bills on file for works carried out during this time. Dating from 2018 at 32,833 miles, the last bill was for circa £5,000, while the last MoT dates from 2017. The car is offered with an owner's manual, a V5C document, and a quantity of expired MoTs dating back to 1977 (with some gaps).