25-Years-Owned LS1-Powered 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL

It was then rebuilt in 2020, including the installation of a 5.3-liter LS1 V8 with ported aluminum cylinder heads modified to displace 5.7-liters as well as custom bodywork with shaved door handles, flared fenders, integrated bumpers, and frenched taillights. It was repainted Diamond Pearl over custom two-tone beige and tan leather upholstery, and the interior houses a Kenwood Excelon CD stereo with aftermarket speakers, a leather-covered dash, a custom center console, and Vintage Air heat controls. The car rides on 17″ polished Budnik alloy wheels with four-wheel disc brakes with hydroboost, and additional equipment includes a dual exhaust system, a PSI engine control module, a tan soft top, a body-color hardtop, and walnut wood trim.

Custom bodywork comprises steel fender flares and molded rocker panels and lower quarter panels. Steel bumpers were modified and welded to the body, and the custom front valance incorporates air openings and LED fog lights while the rear valance features cutouts for the quad exhaust outlets. The cowl air scoop was deleted and the door handles shaved, and custom frenched circular taillights and a third brake light were added. It was repainted in the Mercedes-Benz shade of Diamond Pearl in 2021, and additional highlights include electric door poppers, a recessed license plate area, a tan soft top, custom mirrors with integrated turn signals, two-tone pin striping, and a removable body-color hardtop. An included accessory pulley system for raising and lowering the hardtop onto the car is shown at the end of the gallery.

The 17″ Budnik Fontana polished alloy wheels feature custom engraved center caps and are mounted with 215/45 front and 245/45 rear Continental tires. A rebuilt power steering box was reportedly installed during the build, and braking is provided by four-wheel discs with a CPP hydroboost system.

The cabin houses bucket seats that were fitted with memory foam padding and re-trimmed in tan and beige leather. The dash was re-covered in leather and fitted with custom black walnut trim, a Kenwood Excelon CD stereo with Bluetooth, custom switchgear, and Vintage Air billet heat controls. Walnut trim extends to the center console, which was sourced from a 1970 Pontiac GTO and incorporates cup holders, a Pontiac Firebird shifter, and accent lights. Beige squareweave carpets line the floors, and additional equipment includes custom door panels, dual amplifiers, dual 8″ subwoofers, and tan lap belts. A chip on the center console has been repaired.

The leather-wrapped Budnik billet aluminum steering wheel is mounted on an Ididit tilt column and frames Classic Instruments gauges, including a 140-mph speedometer, a 7k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary instruments. The five-digit odometer shows 27k miles. The fuel level gauge in the cluster does not work, and a remote gauge has been added below the dash.