Dereks Pagode 280SL 6.3

My '68 280 sl came about because of a proposed project that was just too tempting to pass by. It was the same guy, Randy, a Mercedes mechanic friend of mine that got me going on my 111 Coupe project that got me going on this one. He gave me a '70 Mercedes 300sel 6.3.  The car was pretty rusted out and the interior was shot. It would have cost more to restore it than it was worth so I didn't want to do that.  Plus, that body style wasn't sporty enough for me so I decided to put the drivetrain into something else.
 
My choice was the 113 body because there would be a certain amount of interchangability between the two cars and it was a light weight good looking car. Through the internet I was able to locate a running but very rusty SL for $4,000.00.  I was able to recoup some of my costs by selling the SL drivetrain for $1,300.00. Through being very resourceful and doing most everything except the actual sewing of the leather seats myself, I was able to build the car for under $10,000.00.
 
I knew that the 6.3 engine would physically bolt into the 113 subframe.  Same with the rear axle.

After all, the SL is just a shortened sedan. The problem was that many of the SL body parts that interfered with the engine. The transmission tunnel had to be enlarged considerably.  The brake booster and pedal assembly had to be moved to the left approximately 2 inches. The body had to be raised off the frame by 2 inches so that the hood wouldn't have to be bulged out.  The steering box had to be relocated two inches lower to retain correct steering geometry. The body frame rails had to be cut away and rewelded to clear the engine and the custom made headers. Whew!
 
The headers were made from tuned equal length headers that were designed for a 5.0 Mustang.  I made my own flanges and changed the pipes around so they would fit the 6.3 engine. They look cool and seem to work quite well too!
 
Some changes were made to get the twin traction 6.3 axle into the SL.  Namely, the outer brakes levers had to have mounting points added to SL body.  I cut the body sections from the 6.3 that had the mounting points on them and grafted them to the SL. The SL was rusted out in that area anyway so I was able to fix the rust and add the mounting points at the same time! I used the 6.3 sway bars, front and rear, on the SL.  Handles well.  I also rehinged the hood for better engine access and to give additional room for engine components.
 
Those are SL 500 16 X 8 inch rims that I got to fit without much difficulty. Dual 2 1/4 inch aluminized pipes exit into Supertrapp mufflers.  I reworked a roll bar that was intended for a VW to fit the SL. I think it looks right in there!
 
Power is awesome!  Have not raced it in a timed event yet. Will be doing that fairly soon.  I'll let you know how it does.
 
Any purist who takes offense at my cutting up this car needs to know that many restorers would have parted this car out because of the advanced rust condition.  I saved this car from being destroyed and the world has one more example of this fine car still on the road albeit in a modified state.
 
Hope you enjoy the pictures. Feel free to email me with questions or comments.
 
Derek