Description
Offered for sale is a beautiful, extremely original, entirely sound and mechanically strong European version 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL that retains its original engine and 4 speed manual gearbox, its original fenders (including the telltale factory spot-welds and headlamp notches) and its solid, completely original undercarriage. Finished in rare, factory-correct Tunis Beige Metallic (DB 462) over its original Black MB-Tex interior, the car was originally purchased new in Italy by its first and only owner, the wife of a German businessman. The car would briefly follow her and her husband back to Germany before being imported here when they emigrated to the United States in 1967. The car was always a source of patriotic pride for the owner and she would always keep it garaged and maintained throughout her 48 years of ownership, never subjecting it to the elements and consequently yielding the beautiful, unmolested and very original example offered here today. We were able to acquire the car when old age and declining health prompted her to ask a friend to sell it for her earlier this year.
The factory correct Tunis Beige Metallic finish is deep and lustrous, marred only by minor of imperfections, none of which are significant enough to appear in any of the photographs. Retaining consistent and correct panel fits and gaps throughout, as well its original fender spot welds, headlamp notches and numbers matching hood, the car’s body is straight and free of any evidence of accidents. The car also retains all of its original glass and the chrome is in excellent original condition, free of any dings, dents or significant imperfections. Hardly ever used throughout the years, the hardtop (including the headliner) is in great shape and the color-matched, hubcapped wheels retain their chrome beauty rings and are wrapped in Michelin tires with plenty of remaining tread.
The car’s Black interior shows merely the minimal patina of nearly five decades of gentle use, the resilient original MB Tex seats exhibiting only negligible wear and the original carpets remaining presentable albeit worn in a couple of places. The door panels and other interior panels are in excellent original condition, as is the original wood trim, and the dash houses an original Becker Europa TR radio. Lastly, a brand new black German canvas soft top has been installed and it functions flawlessly, with a crystal clear rear window.
The car is also mechanically excellent following a thorough tune-up by our German master mechanic. The original, numbers matching engine starts effortlessly, idles consistently and pulls strongly and smoothly through each of the gears. Compression is potent and even across all cylinders, providing power sufficient for modern highway driving, and the car’s road manners are exceptional, the handling crisp and brakes straight and true. The engine bay is clean and correct, as is the car’s entirely original and solid undercarriage and trunk.
This is an excellent opportunity to acquire a gorgeous example of a consistently appreciating classic that has everything going for it: beautiful and unique original livery, strong and entirely numbers matching mechanicals and, perhaps most importantly, an entirely original and solid undercarriage and completely straight, original body. Whether for the weekend enthusiast or the seasoned collector, this stunning W113 Pagoda 230SL is sure to provide its next owner with years of motoring joy and investment upside.
