Highlights

Subject to a comprehensive 2,000-hour body-off restoration, completed in 2019
Purchased approximately three years ago through Tom Hartley
Stored in a temperature-controlled showroom as part of the owner's private collection
Serviced by the marque specialists at SL Shop in August 2023
Supplied with both hardtop and soft top
Rare rear 'kinder seat' option
Mercedes-Benz datacard and dating letter included

The Appeal

The W113 'Pagoda' is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful sports cars Mercedes-Benz ever produced. Designed by Paul Bracq and introduced in 1963, the 230SL combined elegant styling with genuine grand touring ability, and its distinctive concave hardtop, from which the 'Pagoda' nickname derives, has become one of the most recognisable silhouettes in automotive history. Today, the best examples are fiercely sought after by collectors worldwide.

This 1964 230SL has undergone a painstaking 2,000-hour concours-level nut-and-bolt restoration, completed in 2019 after the car was acquired as a dismantled project in 2015. Since the restoration, the car was purchased through the renowned Tom Hartley dealership and kept in a temperature-controlled showroom as part of a private collection. It was entrusted to the SL Shop, one of the UK's foremost W113 specialists, in August 2023 for a thorough service and recommissioning. The vendor considers this to potentially be the finest 230SL in the world. It is a collector-grade Pagoda presented to a superlative standard.

History and Paperwork

First registered in 1964 in the United Kingdom
MOT exempt
Acquired in 2015 as a dismantled project and subject to a full body-off restoration completed in 2019
Purchased approximately three years ago through Tom Hartley
Stored in a temperature-controlled showroom as part of a private collection
Serviced by SL Shop in August 2023 at 34,962 miles
35,011 miles showing, believed correct
Mercedes-Benz datacard and dating letter (see gallery)

The Condition

Full respray in Mercedes-specification 050 colour using Deltron high-gloss paint
All chrome rechromed inside and out, including new grille inserts, outer and inner grille, rear bumpers and lower alloy trim; original grille emblem retained
New body clips, mouldings, rubber inserts and a full set of weather seals fitted during the restoration
New red leather upholstery, loop-pile carpets, door cards, pockets and handles
Wood veneer redone inside the car and on the hardtop and soft top
Dashboard rebuilt with new chrome instrument rings and rubber backing seal
New ashtray, seatbelts and heater fan
New soft-top hood with chrome fittings; new door glass chromes
Original windscreen, wiper arms and fittings retained
New factory-correct tags and stickers throughout
New whitewall tyres and valves
Rare rear 'kinder seat' option

Restored over some 2,000 hours and completed in 2019, this 230SL presents to an exceptional standard, finished in Mercedes 050 white over new red leather with matching loop-pile carpets. Every piece of chrome has been refinished inside and out, the wood veneers redone, and the dashboard rebuilt with new instrument rings. The original windscreen and wiper arms were retained. The car comes with both its hardtop and a new soft top, and has been kept in a temperature-controlled showroom since its restoration.

The Mechanics

2.3-litre SOHC inline six-cylinder engine
Four-speed automatic transmission
Front suspension and subframe rebuilt; rear axle and suspension rebuilt with four new Bilstein shock absorbers
Gearbox reconditioned with new filters
Fuel injection pump reconditioned and injectors tested
New spark plugs, points, plug leads, distributor cap and timing parts
New exhaust system and fittings
New water pump, hoses and pipes; heater core and radiator refurbished
New front discs, pads, callipers and brake pipes; new rear brakes, wheel cylinders and fittings
Brake servo rebuilt with new master cylinder, reservoir, hoses and pipes
Converted to an alternator; original relay box retained for show
Serviced by SL Shop in August 2023, including new gearbox modulator, differential pinion seal, all steering tie rod assemblies, brake system flush, windscreen washer pump, bulbs and laser wheel alignment

The restoration renewed virtually every mechanical component, including a reconditioned injection pump and gearbox, rebuilt front and rear suspension with Bilstein dampers, a new exhaust, and a complete braking system with a rebuilt servo. In August 2023 the marque specialists at SL Shop added a new gearbox modulator, steering tie rods and differential pinion seal, plus a brake fluid flush.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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