1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda Joins DFW Car & Toy Museum Display

The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has unveiled a stunning automotive treasure from The Ron Sturgeon Collection—a pristine 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL representing the final production year of the legendary W113 "Pagoda" series. This silver classic embodies German engineering excellence and understated luxury, designed by the legendary trio of Friedrich Geiger, Béla Barényi, and Paul Bracq. The car debuted at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show and quickly became celebrated for its clean lines, signature concave hardtop, and perfect balance between sporty performance and grand touring comfort. Under the hood lies the refined 2.8-liter M130 inline-six engine with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission that delivers power to the rear wheels. The vehicle also features advanced-for-its-era power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes, ensuring confident and smooth stopping power.

Inside the cabin, the 280SL showcases a blend of luxury and thoughtful simplicity that has made it an enduring icon. The interior boasts a wood-trimmed dashboard, analog clock, replacement carpeting, and a rare period-correct Frigiking air conditioning unit—a highly desirable option among collectors. Additional features include a floor-mounted gear shifter, Becker Europa AM/FM push-button radio, and a two-spoke steering wheel with chrome horn ring framing a cluster of VDO gauges monitoring speed, RPM, fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. Ron Sturgeon, the museum's founder and a dedicated car collector for over 30 years, describes the vehicle as "the perfect blend of art and engineering" that "earns attention quietly through its beauty, craftsmanship, and enduring relevance." The museum itself, formerly known as DFW Elite Toy Museum, maintains its website DFW Elite Toy Museum as a resource for enthusiasts worldwide and now occupies a massive 150,000-square-foot facility in North Fort Worth offering free parking and admission, climate-controlled car storage, event facilities, and dog-friendly policies. Visitors can find more information at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com, where they can plan their visit during operating hours from Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.