Not every classic car restorer can say that their very first foray into restoring a Mercedes produced a concours-winning result. But JD Classics can.

After nine months of detailed concours-standard craftsmanship, the Mercedes 280 SL Pagoda we restored won Best Car of Show at Mercedes-Benz Owners Club National Concours. Held at Kelmarsh Hall in Northants, UK in August 2006, the event was attended by Mercedes-Benz owners from all over Europe.

Under the circumstances, given that the 1965 Pagoda was a very average, but useable car when it was first presented to us, this award left the owner stunned but delighted!

Months of work was needed to get the 280 SL to the extremely high standards demanded of a concours-rebuild. This included a complete strip-down bare-metal re-paint, a re-trim, re-chrome, suspension overhaul and detailing, plus a comprehensive engine overhaul and detailing.

With such an impressive, prize-winning entrance into Mercedes restoration, word has quickly spread about the quality of craftsmanship available at JD Classics. We already have another three cars on the books to restore, with more expected in the near future.