£55,200 (Est: £50,000 - £70,000)
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL California Hardtop Coupé
Bonhams • UK • 19 Apr 2026
Market Position:
Mid-Market
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£55,200 (Est: £50,000 - £70,000)
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL California Hardtop Coupé
UK • 19 Apr 2026 • Lot 140
Vehicle Details
AI Listing Summary
This 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL California Hardtop Coupé is a rare model with automatic transmission and an odometer reading of approximately 35,000 miles. It has had several owners since new, with the current owner since 2012, and comes with service history and expired MOTs dating back to 1977.
Condition
7
The car has low mileage for its age (circa 35,000 miles) and has been with the current owner since 2012. There are bills for recent work and expired MOTs dating back to 1977. However, the last MOT was in 2017, indicating it has not been regularly inspected recently.
/ 10
35,000 miles
113044-22-020657
LHD
United Kingdom
Automatic
JBY 416J
1970
Auction
£55,200 (Est: £50,000 - £70,000)
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL California Hardtop Coupé
Bonhams • UK • 19 Apr 2026
Market Position:
Mid-Market
Track live values and receive listing alerts
Description
• 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...
Price Analysis vs Other (W113) 280 SLs
£24,445
Lowest Price (Since 2020)
£69,640
Median Price (Since 2020)
£346,514
Highest Price (Since 2020)
World Record
If this vehicle sells at the mid-point of its estimate it will set a new world record for the [enter model]
Mid-Market
Compared to previous sales, the sale price placed this vehicle in the mid-market for the (W113) 280 SL.
Lowest Price
If this vehicle sells at the mid-point of its estimate it will be the lowest price we've seen for the [enter model]
Average Price
Compared to historical records, the sale price placed this vehicle squarely in the mid-market for the (W113) 280 SL.
Rare Sale
This vehicle comes to market rarely. In auction records we've only seen [enter number] sold before
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Previous (W113) 280 SL Sales
MOT Information
Valid
Expires on 9th Sept 2027
Latest MOT mileage:
36,224 miles
MOT History
Passed
On 10th Sept 2026, 36,224 miles
There was 1 defect noted.
Advisory:
- Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Passed
On 26th Sept 2017, 32,578 miles
Passed
On 2nd Oct 2016, 31,497 miles
Passed
On 26th Sept 2015, 30,921 miles
MOT Mileage Trend
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Auction House Headquarters
Bonhams
101 New Bond Street, London, Greater London, W1S 1SR, England
Operating from London, Bonhams is a physical auction house handling classic, historic competition, and collector cars. They conduct live auctions globally, offering vehicle consignment, appraisal, and valuation services.
Insurance
