Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 21, 2025
Restored 1970 Mercedes 280SL with 5-Speed Manual Debuts at DFW Museum
TLDR
- The DFW Car & Toy Museum's restored 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL with five-speed manual transmission offers collectors a rare advantage over factory-correct examples.
- This 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL underwent over $70,000 in restoration including a Tremec five-speed transmission conversion and complete brake system refresh.
- The DFW Car & Toy Museum preserves automotive history while providing free public access to cultural artifacts that inspire future generations.
- A 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL transformed with a vibrant metallic burgundy paint and five-speed manual transmission creates an engaging driving experience.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it represents the growing trend of restomodding—restoring classic cars with modern performance upgrades—which preserves automotive heritage while enhancing drivability. For car enthusiasts, it demonstrates how iconic vehicles like the Mercedes 280SL can be transformed into engaging driver's cars without losing their classic appeal. For the broader public, it highlights accessible cultural institutions like the DFW Car & Toy Museum that make automotive history available to everyone through free admission. The museum's expansion and this specific vehicle showcase how private collections contribute to preserving automotive culture while making it relevant to contemporary audiences through thoughtful modifications that improve performance and enjoyment.
Summary
The DFW Car & Toy Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, has unveiled a spectacular automotive transformation as part of The Ron Sturgeon Collection—a meticulously restored 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL that redefines classic car excellence. This particular vehicle stands out not just for its pristine condition but for a radical mechanical upgrade: the installation of a performance-focused five-speed manual transmission from specialists at Bud's Benz, replacing the original automatic gearbox. With over $70,000 invested in restoration work, this Mercedes-Benz 280SL combines the timeless elegance of the iconic W113 "Pagoda" design with modern driving dynamics, creating what museum founder Ron Sturgeon describes as "the best of both worlds."
Originally finished in Silver Metallic, the car now sports a rich metallic burgundy repaint affectionately nicknamed "Strawberry," giving it a distinctive flair that sets it apart from factory-correct examples. Under the hood, the 2.8-liter M130 inline-six engine was completely resealed during the multi-year refurbishment, ensuring reliable performance. Additional enhancements include a fully refreshed braking system with new rotors, pads, and lines installed in 2020, VDO instrumentation set into a body-colored dash fascia, and a period-correct Becker Europa stereo. The five-digit odometer shows 87,000 miles, while features like disc brakes on all four corners and a rev-happy 7,000-rpm tachometer emphasize its driver-focused character.
The museum itself, founded by automotive enthusiast Ron Sturgeon, has evolved from its origins as DFW Elite Toy Museum to become a 150,000-square-foot facility in North Fort Worth offering free admission and parking. Located at 2550 McMillan Parkway, the museum provides climate-controlled car storage, event hosting capabilities, and a dog-friendly environment. Visitors can explore this unique automotive and toy collection Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, with detailed information available through their website at DFW Car & Toy Museum. This 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL represents both a collector's dream and an enthusiast's driving machine, bridging decades of automotive history with contemporary performance enhancements.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Restored 1970 Mercedes 280SL with 5-Speed Manual Debuts at DFW Museum
