The engine of this 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL features fuel injection mated with a freshly restored automatic transmission. These attractive sports cars were highly regarded when new and have remained sought-after classics. Though the 280 did not have as much horsepower as a Corvette or the E-type, it was still regarded as quick for its time. The overseas version of the 280 SL got 190 horsepower from the new 2,778 cc inline six 3.41inch Bore and 3.10 inch stroke engine. In the U.S., newly instituted American emissions regulations limited U.S.-spec cars to just 180 horsepower. 8,047 Mercedes, 280 SL's, were produced in 1969.

Mercedes was not the name of Otto Benz' daughter. In 1899, Emil Jellinek entered a custom built Daimler in a race near Nice. Owners often gave pet names to their cars in contests. Jellinek named his entry after his daughter, Mercedes. The Mercedes won its first race. Around 1900, Jellinek gave Daimler an order for 36 cars but stipulated that his cars must have priority of production and that they all must bear the name "Mercedes". Since this was about 1/3 of the entire Daimler's production, Jellinek's demands were met. A short while later, the company decided that the name "Mercedes" was better than "Daimler" for marketing in places like France. So they began using the Mercedes name on all their production cars. SL was originally for the German "Sehr Leicht" (Very Light) but when the cars were brought to market, they were referred to as “Sport Leicht" (Sport light) since they were not "very" light.

1969 Mercedes Benz 280 SL