This all-electric Mercedes-Benz 280SL conversion will set you back a cool £107,000

Texas-based Moment Motor Company has announced its latest electric conversion foray, with the Mercedes-Benz 280SL chosen as its primary delegate. It will be built as a limited-run model and act as the forerunner of its ‘Signature’ series of classic conversions. Think of it as being a sort of King Leonidas-like figure from 300, except the 280SL is using a 400-volt powertrain and not a plastic scimitar.

Thanks to that powertrain though it may just be able to take on Xerxes and the Persian army solo, with the 300bhp of power and 370lb ft of torque nearly twice as much as the original car. The three-phase permanent motor has also been combined with a 62kWh battery pack to allow a quoted 175 miles of range - plentiful for what will likely be a weekend toy.

The other focus points include a fully integrated vehicle control system and electric brakes and steering, turning this over half-a-century old car into a two-seat convertible capable of worrying even the most modern of ICE-powered sports cars.

The price for the conversion itself is set at approximately £107,000 ($135,000), but the donor car isn’t provided. Moment will however help you source a restored turn-key example through its partner, Unique Cars of Palm Beach, for an estimated £197,000 ($250,000). Yep, the mounting costs are making us feel quite warm too.

Marc Davis, founder of Moment Motor Company, said: “While the passion for these vehicles has endured throughout the decades, their functionality hasn’t stood the test of time. Through our tried and true design process, we offer collectors the ability to take highly celebrated but seldomly used vehicles from their collections and convert them with electric drivetrains for everyday usage.”

Built between 1963 and 1971, over 48,000 examples of the W113-generation SL were distributed around the world and continue to be revered as a status icon of its era. In fact, standard, concourse-grade examples can still command as much as £300,000.

Moment Motor Company meanwhile has conversion experience across a broad spectrum of classic cars including the 1971 BMW 2800CS, 1973 Alfa Romeo GT Veloce and even the DeLorean DMC-12. Sadly, its alterations to the DeLorean haven’t been enough to allow it to travel through time. Marty McFly would be disappointed, it’s 2023 for goodness sake.