The W113 "Pagoda" is widely regarded as one of the most elegant and desirable classic sports cars ever produced, combining understated yet irrefutably beautiful Paul Bracq styling with the refined engineering and impressive performance synonymous with Mercedes-Benz.

This 1969 example ticks all the right boxes.

It's a matching numbers, matching colours 280 SL, originally ordered with the desirable four-speed manual gearbox, rare third "kinder" seat and exceedingly rare factory luggage option. The latter no longer accompanies the car, but we're looking at one of the most desirable specification SLs that's come to market during recent years.

As the photographs show, the SL presents very well throughout, resplendent in a very rare colourway, the contrast is extremely elegant, the deep red shimmers in sunlight, darkens to a near black in the evening light and shows off the lines of the car beautifully.

Finished in original Mercedes Dark Maroon (460G) paint. You can tell when a car has good bones and this is certainly one of them. By that we mean this SL was evidently a great example before its two-decade lay-up in an underground parking garage. The vendor assures us that the previously restored bodywork is devoid of corrosion. The Dark Maroon paint looks great too, as does the chrome; both of which sport just a gentle patina as you'd expect to see from an older restoration. Both roofs are present and in good order; it's great to have the matching hard top, which are so often lost or damaged as the years go by.

Lift the bonnet of this SL and you'll appreciate that a great deal of work has been done here. That legendarily strong and smooth-running straight-six practically gleams, and you can see the myriad components that have been restored or replaced during the recent recommissioning. Having covered minimal road test miles since completion, it's time for a new owner to finish bedding in the fresh engine and enjoy this wonderful car now that summer is finally here..