We just stripped to bare metal and repainted this rust-free, all original panel SL in Sikkens two-stage Eurothane Enamel DB-571 Metallic Red; its stunning and optional rare original color! It was a difficult decision, and as you can see in the before photos, the paint was very nice and would have been fine for most people – however it was not Hatch & Sons quality; but it is now.
The black interior is perfect and original as you would expect in a low mileage example like this. We did refinish the original wood dash trim in the correct satin finish. We also replaced the soft top with correct original German Canvas material. Even the clock still keeps good time.
After 40 years, even with its extremely low mileage, it still needed a complete mechanical refurbishment at a cost of over $20,000.
This car is fully sorted and drives like new. It is not a “Garage Queen”. Amazingly, it still has the original grease pencil markings from the production line inside the headlight buckets. The inside of the bumpers, headlights, taillights, and trunk gasket still have the original assembly line date stamps.
Probably the most telling thing about this car is its chrome. It is all original, we did not replace one single piece of chrome on this car; and not only is it original, it is exceptional. No dings, no dents, no tarnish. It is the nicest original chrome I’ve seen on a 280SL in 30 years, and I’ve owned a lot of them, over 130 at last count since my first 67 230SL in 1973; not to mentions the hundreds we serviced and restored for our customers as well.
Even the original tinted windshield is in nice shape with no chips, stars, or sandblasting. We did of course replace the gasket while it was out for painting.
This was truly a sympathetic restoration to one of the best and last survivors out there. This may be one of your last chances to get a true “Hatch & Sons” 113SL, as I’m not sure how many more, if any, I will do.
Of course, it comes with the original books, manuals, tool kit, top handles, and original Firestone Phoenix white-wall tire in the trunk.
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