The Mercedes-Benz 280 SL ‘Pagoda’ was shaped by function and form

“One of the cool elements of the ‘Pagoda’ is the top,” says Daniel Monti. “One of the things I read in the design brief: they wanted to make sure that the journalists who’d came out to a race day, parked their 280SL at the side of the track, climb on top of the roof, get their camera out, and take pictures of the race that day.”
As an architect, Monti has a unique perspective on his beloved family heirloom, a Mercedes-Benz 280 SL. In the family for 30 years, you’d be safe in assuming its crisp lines and form-follows-function details have influenced his take on buildings.
Monti leads Modal Design, and part of this film is set in one of the firm’s newer projects, the Walnut House. (www.modal-design.com/projects/...)
“Our architecture tries to be straightforward, with basic principles that you can appreciate in the future,” Monti says, “…basic ideas that are timeless in their nature, and that’s how we hopefully create architecture that’s pushing boundaries but not outdated in five years.”
Still attractive and “crisp” today, that sentiment could apply to the 280 SL, a grand tourer that, Monti says, is very reliable and most at home on a scenic drive.
Monti says: “Functional requirements often generate a beauty from something you wouldn’t expect.” When examining the 280 SL and the Walnut House together, it’s clear function is what unites these two beautiful subjects-designed more than 50 years apart.
Drive Tastefully®
Petrolicious.com
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[@lukehernstedt3026]

Petrolicious has to be the most underrated vintage motoring media in the world. These guys create fantastic videos, yet they remain unknown to many. WHY? THESE GUYS ARE FUCKING AMAZING!

[@ARedactedHistory]

Luke Hernstedt I agree, but they're very young and they're gaining steam. While other popular outlets are just reposting esoteric, hipster oriented internet finds, they're creating original, illuminating and inspiring content.

[@therealbajan522]

This channel is magic.

[@ronniestmarthe3252]

You are so right but for some weird reason may it remain this way . If you know you know

[@ronaldcheung5934]

The most timeless and elegant Merc design ever. Maybe also the most beautiful.

[@dion1970dion]

The 280SL is one of the few Mercedes I like, but I would swap the US headlights for the European ones. Looks much better.

[@neb4587]

The one in the video is a European spec. You can tell because of the lack of vertical bumbers on the front and back.

[@Merlin63fly]

❤️ Beautiful car...and very nice house! These cars were 20 years ahead of their time in the 60’s. Mine is a 1965 230SL and I’m amazed by their engineering every time I take her for a ride

[@RecoveringGenius]

Classic and Timeless. You can really see why these have shot up in value over the years. Glad to see it's in the hands of someone who appreciates it! Cheers mate!

[@CyclingSJH]

That sky-spinning view at 2:00 of an angle against the rear window while also being able to look forward towards the turn. Simply one if the best camera shots I've ever seen in car filming. Absolutely genius.

[@lobniklukas]

One of my absolute dream cars :)

[@GHOSTJERKER]

Simply gorgeous!

[@patrickfarrell4678]

Every episode you pull me in to wanting the specific car that you're showing at the time. These clips truly are amazing.

[@ooglefluffg857]

Both the car and the house have perfectly achieved that timeless beauty they talked about. On their own, they are each beautiful products of very different decades, yet when they are side by side they fit perfectly together.

[@Ecosse57]

Less chat about the house more on the car. While there is so much attention paid to the roof of the 280 SL the rest is often overlooked. Love these.

[@MrJearley6]

This guys home is so Beautiful!!! Thanks for inviting us in!!! His SL is AMAZING!!!!!

[@Crazy0Wolf]

Kudos to the crew ! Beautifully shot

[@speedsociety9177]

Such a beautiful car, house and Film. Great work!

[@markvillafranco]

Awesome video. Congratulations on your success in life Daniel Monti, you have a really good sense of style. A beautiful car with a beautiful house, and for Petrolicious to do a quick video of it all equals another little master piece. Thanks for yet another amazing video.

[@florijnsteenhuisen]

Such a great understated design! A big thanks to Petrolicious for bringing these image to us.

[@aaronjakositz]

thar house is amazing such a neat idea to filter like that I would do something besides circles but maby it just made more sense.

[@jonathantrot]

lovely video thanks petrolicious team !

[@davebarron5939]

Magnificent! One of the most beautiful cars EVER. From any angle, it is perfection.

[@jtnish16]

Beautiful lines on the 280 SL. Cool story of the car and owner also

[@laurat1129]

Petrolicious vids are so beautiful and calming! The Pagoda's gorgeous, a timepiece, but then to see this architect's home (and his sweet blue Pitbull) makes me miss LA. Thanks for showing these cars and their stories, also transporting us everywhere :)

[@triwahyuutomo4224]

im an architect and proud to have old benz W124 300E 1987

[@victor-emmanuel7485]

I'm an architecture student, and I'm planning on buying a 1980 Mercedes G 300D.

[@NikoBell12]

Simply gorgeous. As always.

[@kennethj1956]

49,000 of this SL pagoda style built;.... even my 22 y.o. Calif Blonde Girly Cousin bought one new in 1971. ↑BUT only one fantastic house like this!↑

[@johnnyboy1586]

Beautiful car,love the simplistic and elegant dash layout

[@pnwautocar5291]

What a lovely car, lovely house, smart man, great channel! Excellent work guys.

[@39PSIOnTheDaily]

Stunning. Beyond stunning.

[@albertrochaisSLICK]

Wow this thing is absolutely gorgeous.

[@eltzer88]

Fantastic video about form and function

[@dillydean]

man his passion for architecture makes me wish i didnt give up at uni. sick car what a beauty

[@bredlo]

Holy smokes, what a pair. Every Mercedes deserves a sublime backdrop like that home... and beautiful residential architecture displays its cars like jewelry. Even the dog is the perfect tone for the setting. : ) Well done, Daniel Monti.

[@CarspotterJeroen]

Again a lovely video from Petrolicious!

[@arisgod2749]

Ok I like this guy a lot. Great taste in cars and dogs. Love his Pitbull.

[@rafaelyalmachado4248]

I love this model, tradition, clean lines and almost eternal beauty, it takes a few more decades to electrify and customize...

[@konliner9286]

I never knew it would look stunning in this color.

[@bryandoherty9399]

I saw one of these last week at a car meet. I thought it was just a hard top you could put on if you didn't want to use the convertible roof because I never knew the history behind it. Beautiful car and really cool house.

[@musiccylinderK6]

This guy has got an AR GT Scalino right there next to him! :D Great video, as always. You never let us down Petrolicious!!

[@paranormalinquisitor]

Cool dude with good taste in design. Awesome video. Thanks

[@Cfv8799]

Great camera work.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

Sweet looking Mercedes *"Pagoda"* SL.

[@hanif12able]

we need more videos from intelligent men such as this guy. I just added this video as a favorite. I'm currently studying medicine, hope some day I can live the way this man live

[@wareidav]

Beautiful car and as usual a superbly crafted video. 99% of the Petrolicious videos have stunning incidental music alongside some of the best videography you can see on the net. Wonderful. More videos please.

[@andreallen2372]

really well done

[@socalsupercars420]

This man has amazing taste in homes & cars.

[@markitoxi]

+SoCalSupercars Shameful taste in hairstyle though

[@sergiolarabustam]

i really enjoy the video, well done petrolicious!

[@bartknops]

That's a very nice story!

[@livewiya]

1:59 is such a fantastic shot. beautiful.

[@billdavis6003]

Excellent Production on the video and a gorgeous car. I still found myself just staring at the cheap license plate hanging off the front bumper.

[@apurugganan]

It was that print ad in my father's National Geographic that captivated me, long ago. The background was blurred to give that high speed motion effect; I believed then that the police in pursuit was cropped out of the picture

[@parrishwl]

wow ! I always wonder how do you find these owners / cars Petrolicious ? all of your reviews are so amazing

[@ARedactedHistory]

parrishwl In this case I came to Petrolicious with the idea of the intersection of auto and architectural design. They liked it. We moved ahead. I was trying to build Modal’s social media profile and specially targeting a specific demographic of automotive enthusiast.

[@blacktrucksfly]

beautiful car filmed in my beautiful hometown of Palos Verdes, CA

[@jlacc1]

Beatiful little car. I had a perky 1966 manual 230sl.. miss it...

[@MrELIAN602]

Well done 👍👍👍

[@bokkenrijder172]

Fantastic car and a fantastic house!

[@94BrunoO]

By the end of the present month, I shall officially be an Architect. Give me a spot on your office, I need to work with car guys! :D

[@bobduvar]

The car is very beautiful of course. But the house is just WHAOOOOOO !!! oh my goodness ! Such an awesome house ! It looks like an avant garde house built in the 50's !Even John Lautner would be jealous ! Mr Monti you are a great architect !

[@hobbyavenue6740]

Beautiful.

[@imuttoo]

Excellent!

[@blackpool321]

always loved this car

[@logwind]

Great story.

[@Blade484]

Great car and Great house!

[@spanish111japan]

Can you guys make a video of a Lancia Delta Integrale?

[@sugirosie]

Love the house too

[@ludovic9477]

Magnifique design of Paul Bracq. ❤❤❤

[@user-nu3el2mo2w]

Wow. Just wow. No modern luxury car can compare to this.

[@scottyg9167]

Is this a car video or an architecture one? I’m confused. Literally the only Petrolicious video that hasn’t grabbed me.

[@edben5652]

Nice house!

[@alcubano2887]

I want to see a video on the e39 m5 outside his house.

[@DrivingDallas214]

is there a video ab this house?

[@sagata7143]

That house was certainly beautiful, unique etc but the reason why I always watch this channel is because it's for CAR enthusiasts. Would have been nice to see them drive the 280 SL more.

[@DanielSilva-zq7ez]

Amo está marca Mercedes-Benz 💙 e este modelo o mais belo carro do mundo!!

[@Mattia.1973]

Gorgeous car

[@kasifzihad7909]

Beautiful car honestly

[@carconnoisseur4615]

I wanted to be an architect as a kid Didn't quite happen but life goes on however I am a Mercedes fan and the 560 SL is the Mercedes that spoke to me when I seen it as a 6 year old kid So I completely understand your view on your SL. I bet you own a patek don't you?This man has Class Hats off to you sir

[@rs0040970]

beautiful life indeed

[@andreshandal]

What watch (diver) is the architect wearing with that blue nato strap?

[@Amphibious_NL]

i like the watch he is wearing in the first shot. anyone have any idea what kind it is?

[@dominicmilitello6774]

Frederik R autodromo

[@GTI1dasOriginal]

one word: gorgeous..

[@glorious_help]

I AM IN LOVE

[@moyadapne]

The 1962 Dodge Dart has the same ridge on the roof as this Merc. I can testify one can stand on that part. One'd be brave to stand in the middle though.

[@Reznor_Meeks]

The complex beauty of simplicity. Tip my hat once again for the content of this channel, epic cars, epic people, epic videos. Cheers!

[@johnburns4017]

The centre spring in the swing rear axle needs replacing. It is too soft with the wheels slanting inwards, resulting with the back end lower than what it should be.

[@antoniocacador3219]

lindo carro Dos mais bonitos alguma vez feito

[@renaldolr4811]

4:14 is that a e39 M5 rims on that one?

[@newmabreu96]

lol sorry but i love that house more than the car

[@February54]

There should be a channel called "Housealicious".

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

February There are quite a few channels about architcture. You could see the contrived folly of his "dappled effect" in some more thoughtful designs. Great car and I am sure he loves his house.

[@cargar62]

Haha totally what I was thinking!

[@DavidJackTumusiime]

Any architecture channels you could recommend?

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

+David Tumusiime Pop in 'architecture' on youtube and a bunch come up. Nothing I have saved but it is there. I grew up around it so I just found it stuck in my heart and mind.

[@kellyfontes7757]

Will it not pass smog in CA so you keep TX plates?

[@cruzbuds]

No need to pass smog in CA, the car is too old. Smog test is not required. I know, I live in CA and have a 1970 280SL that my father purchased new. I bought it from him almost 30 years ago. I only drive it with the top off. I know the Pagoda roof is a big deal, but it think it looks even better topless.

[@karolisnxbl]

Can someone tell me what music starts at 0:43?

[@fitnesspoint2006]

My next hairdo will be like this guys.

[@hurley911]

Z-DOG The Johnathan Higgins (Magnum P.I.) do

[@3231687]

Nice Alfa Romeo 105 series behind him :D hard to make out what exact model it is

[@tvmainac]

***** please do a video on the BMW E31

[@WilHenDavis]

Nice car! Does it come with seat-belts?

[@Crushercurtis702]

Holy combover, batman!

[@jaber115]

what watch is that at the start of the video?

[@anilkmr458]

right

[@DrEddieTar]

What type of watch is this?

[@mzondi1970]

Great car and Great dog. I love my pit

[@peachdino]

That front plate holder, why ruin the lines by having on the vehicle?

[@emjayay]

Andrew McMoran Actually, Texas is one of the 31 states requiring a front license plate.

[@leloodallasmultipass]

Andrew McMoran you have to have it. they took the plate off for the video, but there is normally a plate there. this is California, btw

[@peachdino]

I understand the plate was taken off, so then remove the holder as well.

[@leloodallasmultipass]

Andrew McMoran it might be off-colored, since there is normally something covering that area.

[@IsabellaMonty]

Nice house, nice car #goal

[@gmsresinarodelcorso560]

Roba da super ricchi. Che ingiustizia è la vita.

[@alejandrosoria23]

My favorite car : )

[@E39ENTHUSIAST90]

well, I liked the E39 that appears parked at min. 4:36 :))

[@apache1234657]

E39ENTHUSIAST 90 yeah I liked the body kit

[@ARedactedHistory]

apache1234657 No body kit. Just a stock E39 M5.

[@dash456789]

Nick Talbot It's actually a 2003 540I M tech. Look at the mirrors, Mpars, and single exhaust. Not a M5.

[@E39ENTHUSIAST90]

M5 or not, I likeE39 :))

[@apache1234657]

anything is better then the E60