Car Of The Day: December 13, 2011

Today's car of the day is Kyosho's 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL.

The Mercedes-Benz W 113 roadsters, designed by Paul Bracq, were produced from 1963 through 1971. Their distinctive "pagoda" hardtop roof, designed by Béla Barényi, gave them their contemporary nickname. The W 113 SL replaced both the legendary 300 SL (W 198) and the 190 SL (W121 BII), and it was in turn replaced by the R107 SL.

All models feature an inline-six cylinder engine with multi-port fuel injection using a mechanical pump system adapted from the diesel motors. All are rear-wheel drive, but are also equipped with independent rear suspension, a feature that greatly improved road handling. While the SLs are relatively heavy compared to other similar roadsters, weight was reduced in part by the use of aluminum panels for the trunk lid, front hood, tonneau cover and door skins.

These SLs were typically sold with a soft top and an optional removable hard top, the so-called "Coupe/Roadster" configuration. A 2+2 was introduced with the 250 SL "California Coupe", which had a rear bench seat instead of the soft-top.

For more information and pictures of the real car please visit: Mercedes-Benz 280SL

A recent addition from diecastdingo (thanks Patrick!).

The 2.8 liter 280 SL was introduced in December 1967 and continued in production through 23 February 1971, when the W 113 was replaced by its successor, the entirely new and substantially heavier 350 SL (R107). 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 an automatic transmission and air condition. Manual transmission cars came with either a 4-speed, or the desirable ZF 5-speed. In Europe, manual transmission cars without air condition were still predominant. Of the 23,885 280 SLs produced, more than half were sold in the US.

The main change was the use of the 2778 cc M130 engine with 170 PS (130 kW; 170 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. The M130 marked the final evolution of the venerable SOHC M180 inline-six, before it was superseded by the entirely new DOHC M110 inline-six introduced with 1974 European 280 SL (R107) models.

North American models have a number of subtle differences, the most obvious one being the distinctive 'sealed beam' bulb headlamps required in the US versus the 'fishbowl' headlamps for the rest of the world. 1970 US models also acquired amber turn-signal lenses on the rear lights, later than in many other countries.
Other differences of the North American models include imperial gauges, chrome bumper guards, side reflectors (illuminated from 1970), lower rear-axle ratios for faster acceleration yet lower top speeds, and no 'single-side' parking lights. US market 280 SL engines required emission control modifications that included 'softer' valve timings, a reduced compression ratio and a modified injection pump, which reduced power from 170 PS (130 kW; 170 hp) to 160 PS (120 kW; 160 hp). In the US, automatic transmission, air condition and white wall tires were much more popular than elsewhere.

European cars were popular as US gray-market imports: those vehicles were brought to the US some years after their original delivery in Europe. Early European imports had aftermarket hazard lights and safety belts fitted, US safety requirements that were adopted in Europe only in later production years.