Description
Offered for sale is an exceptionally original, completely rust-free, mechanically strong and cosmetically beautiful 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250SL finished in beautiful Horizon Blue (DB 304) over a complimentary medium blue interior. Originally a local car, it was ordered by Mrs. R. Whitmarsh of Montecito, CA, and delivered new by Butts Motors here in Santa Barbara. The car was driven by its first owner until 1974, at which point she gifted it to her daughter and son-in-law, prompting a relocation to La Jolla, CA. The second owners used the car primarily as a weekend driver, keeping it until 1990, at which point it was sold to an acquaintance in Colorado. The third owner maintained the careful stewardship of the prior owners, using it sparingly, always keeping it garaged and properly maintained and never subjecting it to any weather or elements. Consequently, the car remains extremely original, with a strong, numbers matching engine, smooth transmission, charmingly patinated aesthetic condition and, most importantly, a completely original, rust-free undercarriage and completely original, rust and bondo free body. Yes, the fenders are original too, retaining their telltale spot welds in the engine compartment.
The exterior is in great shape, the Horizon Blue finish marred only by minor imperfections accrued over the years, none of which were significant enough to appear in any of the pictures or detract from the car’s sizable appeal. The body is straight and free of any accident damage, retaining factory correct, even panel fits and gaps. All of the chrome, glass and rubber are in good original condition, and the original color-matched, hub-capped wheels have their chrome beauty rings and are wrapped in tires with plenty of remaining tread. The car comes with both its hard and soft tops, the hard-top hardly ever used and completely original and the soft top showing only minimal wear and with a replaced, crystal clear rear window. The car’s original Medium Blue MB-Tex interior is equally as clean, the seats, interior panels and carpets showing only minimal wear considering their 46 years of service. The car retains its original Becker radio, dealer installed Kuhlmeister Air Conditioning system, as well as its rare, optional “kinder seat”.
The car’s odometer shows 01,773 and everything – including the original stamped service booklet – indicates that the car has travelled only 101k miles from new. This is bolstered by the car’s excellent mechanical state, the original engine starting without any hesitation, idling consistently and pulling strongly and smoothly through all of the gears. Compression is excellent, providing even and ample power, and the brakes and suspension all function exactly as they should, rounding out a truly enjoyable vintage motoring experience. The car’s a joy to drive, whether tooling through town with the top down, winding through the back roads or cruising down the highway. The car’s undercarriage is entirely original and rust-free – this car has never had any accidents, rust or rust repair – it’s as clean and factory stock underneath as you’ll find on a W113 Pagoda SL.
The 250SL was a vast improvement to its 230SL predecessor and certainly the rarest of the Pagodas, making up less than 11% of the W113 production run. If you’re looking for an abundantly presentable, entirely solid and mechanically strong example that’s sure to appreciate and offer years of enjoyable and trustworthy service, this car deserves your serious consideration. It checks all the important boxes: documented, well-cared-for provenance, gorgeous original color combination, smooth running original engine and a rust-free original body and undercarriage.
