page_title: Mercedes-Benz W113
section_title: 280 SL (1967–1971)
hierarchical_section_title: Mercedes-Benz W113 / Models / 280 SL (1967–1971)
caption_attribution_description: English: 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL (W 113) roadster. Photographed in Dawes Point, New South Wales, Australia.
context_page_description: The Mercedes-Benz W 113 is a two-seat roadster/coupé, introduced at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show, and produced from 1963 through 1971. It replaced both the 300 SL and the 190 SL. Of the 48,912 W 113 SLs produced, 19,440 were sold in the US.
  The W 113 SL was developed under the auspices of Mercedes-Benz Technical Director Fritz Nallinger, Chief Engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut and Head of Styling Friedrich Geiger. The lead designers were Paul Bracq and Béla Barényi, who created its patented, slightly concave hardtop, which inspired the "Pagoda" nickname.
  All models were equipped with an inline-six cylinder engine with multi-port fuel injection. The bonnet, boot lid, door skins and tonneau cover were made of aluminum to reduce weight. The comparatively short and wide chassis, combined with an excellent suspension, powerful brakes and radial tires gave the W 113 superb handling for its time. The styling of the front, with its characteristic upright Bosch "fishbowl" headlights and simple chrome grille, dominated by the large three-pointed star in the nose panel, paid homage to the 300 SL roadster.
context_section_description: The 280 SL was introduced in December 1967 and continued in production through 23 February 1971, when the W 113 was replaced by the entirely new and substantially heavier R107 350 SL. Over the years, the W 113 evolved from a sports car into a comfortable grand tourer, and US models were by then usually equipped with the 4-speed automatic transmission and air conditioning. Manual transmission models came with the standard 4-speed or the optional ZF 5-speed, which was ordered only 882 times and thus is a highly sought-after original option today. In Europe, manual transmissions without air conditioning were still the predominant choice. Of the 23,885 280 SLs produced, more than half were sold in the US.
  The main change was an upgrade to the 2,778 cc (2.8 L) M130 engine with 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) maximum power and 180 lb⋅ft (244 N⋅m) maximum torque, which finally gave the W 113 adequate power. The performance improvement was achieved by increasing bore by 4.5 mm (0.2 in), which stretched the limits of the M180 block, and required pairwise cylinder casts without cooling water passages. This mandated an oil-cooler, which was fitted vertically next to the radiator. Each engine was now bench-tested for two hours prior to being fitted, so their power specification was guaranteed at last.
  The M130 marked the final evolution of Mercedes-Benz' venerable SOHC M180 inline-six, before it was superseded by the entirely new DOHC M110 inline-six introduced with R107 1974 European 280 SL models. For some time, it was also used in the W 109 300 S-Class, where it retired the expensive 3 liter M189 alloy inline-six.
  A brief chronology of the most notable changes made to the 280SL:
  12/1967: One piece wheel-covers (like W 108/W 109 sedans).
  10/1968: US models with sealed beam headlights without fog lights.
  02/1969: New tail lights with amber turn signals.
  05/1969: ZF 5-speed manual transmission discontinued as listed option and available only on special request.
  07/1969: US models with headlight assembly with full amber lower section, illuminated side markers, transistorized ignition, and improved emission control.
  08/1969: Heated rear window for hardtop, hazard lights for all models, single master key for all locks.
  04/1970: Bosch Lichteinheit headlights optionally with halogen main beam (distinguished by "flat" instead of "bubble" lens).
  08/1970: Fuchs alloy wheels available as a factory-fitted option.
  11/1970: Opaque beige plastic coolant expansion tank (instead of satin-black paint over brass). New door locks: cylinder can be depressed while door is locked.
caption: 1969–1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
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