The 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL displayed at DFW Car & Toy Museum holds particular significance as the vehicle that initiated Ron Sturgeon's collecting journey over 35 years ago. This red 280SL, affectionately known as "the car that started it all," was not acquired in pristine condition but rather required extensive restoration after suffering minor fire damage near the right rear quarter, reportedly caused by a smoker during fueling.
Sturgeon purchased the damaged vehicle from an insurance company and meticulously restored it to its current condition, replacing only the taillight, rear bumper, and performing expert paint and bodywork. The restoration resulted in a stunning example of the beloved "Pagoda" SL that successfully blends resilience with automotive elegance. The vehicle features a factory-correct red finish and is powered by a robust 2.8-liter inline-six engine with Bosch mechanical fuel injection, representing a hallmark of Mercedes-Benz engineering from that era.
"This Mercedes isn't just a beautiful car—it's personal," says Ron Sturgeon, owner of the DFW Car & Toy Museum. "It's the first collectible I ever bought, and I've driven it more than any other. It reminds me why I fell in love with cars in the first place." The car is paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, providing a smooth and capable driving experience that makes this classic vehicle suitable for both Sunday drives and museum exhibitions.
Considered by many enthusiasts as the last of the "classic" SL series, the W113 280SL occupies a special position in automotive history due to its combination of advanced engineering, refined styling, and timeless drivability. For Sturgeon, this particular vehicle carries additional meaning beyond its historical significance, representing a story of restoration, personal passion, and the foundation of what would become a world-class automotive collection.
The museum itself has evolved significantly since its founding in the 1980s, originally known as DFW Elite Toy Museum when Sturgeon began collecting automobile toys and cars. The institution now operates from a 150,000 square foot facility located at 2550 McMillan Parkway in North Fort Worth, offering free parking and admission to visitors. Museum information remains available through their website at https://dfwcarandtoymuseum.com.
Now fully restored, regularly maintained, and still driven, this 280SL continues to serve as a cornerstone of the museum's collection and stands as a testament to how personal automotive passion can develop into substantial cultural institutions that preserve automotive history for future generations. The vehicle's journey from damaged insurance write-off to museum centerpiece demonstrates the transformative power of dedicated restoration and collecting in the automotive preservation field.
