FAQ: 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL 'Strawberry' 5-Speed at DFW Car & Toy Museum

What makes this 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL special?

This 280SL features a custom metallic burgundy ‘Strawberry’ repaint and a performance-focused five-speed manual transmission, representing a unique modification of the classic W113 ‘Pagoda’ design with over $70,000 in restoration work.

Where can I see this Mercedes-Benz 280SL?

The car is on display at the DFW Car & Toy Museum located at 2550 McMillan Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76137, as part of The Ron Sturgeon Collection.

What mechanical modifications were made to this 280SL?

The car received a Tremec five-speed manual transmission from Bud’s Benz, a fully refreshed braking system with new rotors, pads, and lines, and the 2.8-liter M130 inline-six engine was resealed during restoration.

Who is Ron Sturgeon and why is he involved?

Ron Sturgeon is the founder of DFW Car & Toy Museum and a dedicated car collector for over 30 years who built this collection, including this modified 280SL that he describes as capturing ’the best of both worlds—classic Mercedes design and modern drivability.’

What are the museum’s hours and admission details?

The DFW Car & Toy Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, offers free parking and admission, and is dog-friendly while encouraging photography.

How does this modified 280SL differ from factory examples?

Unlike factory-correct examples, this car features the custom ‘Strawberry’ burgundy paint (originally Silver Metallic), a five-speed manual transmission instead of the traditional automatic, and performance enhancements like a 7k-rpm tachometer and refreshed braking system.

What other features does this 280SL include?

The car has VDO instrumentation set into a body-colored dash fascia, a period-correct Becker Europa stereo, disc brakes at all four corners, and shows 87,000 miles on its five-digit odometer.

Where can I find more information about the museum and this car?

Visit the museum’s website at dfwcarandtoymuseum.com or the car’s specific listing at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com/directory-cars/listing/mercedes-280sl-5-speed-strawberry-1970/.

What additional services does the DFW Car & Toy Museum offer?

The 150,000 square foot facility offers secure climate-controlled car storage and event facilities for car clubs and board meetings, in addition to the museum exhibits.