Description
Offered for sale is an absolutely stunning, extremely original, numbers matching, one Santa Barbara family owned 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL finished in rare and desirable factory correct Black (DB 040) over a black leather interior. The car was sold new by John H. Butts Motors (the Santa Barbara Mercedes dealer) to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Clark of Montecito. Mr. Clark was something of a European car enthusiast and this 230SL shared a garage with a number of interesting cars over the years, from Lamborghinis to a Gullwing. Sadly Mr. Clark passed away, but the car stayed in the family and stayed in Santa Barbara, driven by Mrs. Clark and then later by their adult sons.
Throughout the car’s 50 years of service, it’s always been garaged, well maintained and driven relatively sparingly, and consequently the 94k miles showing on the odometer are believed to be original. The car has never been in any accidents and the body is entirely straight and original, including the front fenders (which still bare their factory correct spot welds) and the original numbers matching hood and hardtop. Similarly, the undercarriage is entirely original and free of rust or rust-repairs. The car has never been restored, rather cosmetically refurbished as needed, and consequently it’s both entirely presentable while remaining quite original.
The car was repainted in its factory correct DB 040 Black finish some fifteen years ago and it remains in great shape. Deep, lustrous and consistent, the finish is marred only by the most negligible of imperfections, none of which are significant enough to appear in any of the photos. The glass is free of chips, scratches or cracks, and all of the trim and brightwork is in excellent original condition. The car’s original wheels and color-matched hubcaps are wrapped in Michelin tires with plenty of remaining tread.
The interior has been freshly refurbished with correct new carpets and new Black leather seats, and the soft top is also brand new. The original wood trim has been refinished and the dash retains a Becker radio, albeit not currently functioning. The hardtop was nearly never used and kept stored in their garage, however the hard top’s upholstery should be refurbished. The trunk is entirely solid and rust-free, housing a new fitted rubber trunk mat and the original spare tire and changing tools. The car comes with its original books and manuals, as well as a handful of service receipts.
The car’s original, matching numbers engine starts without hesitation and idles consistently while producing the W113’s trademark warbling tone. The 4-speed manual gearbox shifts smoothly, the car drives and brakes straight and is a true pleasure from behind the wheel, whether tooling through town or cruising down the highway. Originally serviced at Butts Motors, later at Gregg Motors and Cutter Motors (each periodically the local Mercedes dealership), and most recently at Muller & Goss Automotive, Stuttgart Motors and Autohaus Salzburg (three of Santa Barbara’s best independent Mercedes shops), the car has always been professionally and devotedly maintained and consequently remains in excellent mechanical condition.
This is an uncommon opportunity to acquire a Pagoda with all of the right things going for it: rare and desirable Black/Black livery, sought-after 4 speed manual gearbox, one Santa Barbara family owned from new, rust-free original body and undercarriage, freshly reupholstered interior and strong, entirely numbers matching mechanicals. Finding a comparable example would be difficult, if not entirely impossible, so whether you’re a Mercedes collector looking to expand your collection or just a weekend enthusiast, this incredibly honest and original example deserves your serious consideration.
