Highlights

Extensive recent restoration across bodywork, paint and interior
Classic silver metallic with matching hardtop and black leather cabin
Purist specification with 2.3L M127 engine and manual gearbox
California car with long-term single ownership from 1996 to 2014
New mohair soft top
Voluntary MOT to June 2027 with no advisories

The Appeal

The W113 combined the performance of the W198 300SL with the compact usability of the W121 190SL. Enthusiasts generally consider the original 2.3L 230SL with a manual gearbox the purest iteration of that ‘Sport Liecht’ ideal.

Here is exactly that: a smartly presented 1966 230SL in classic silver metallic with black leather. The car spent its life in California until 2014, including with a single owner from 1996 to 2014, and was bought by the current owner in 2021. Since arriving here, it has been subject to a comprehensive high-end restoration covering body renovation, repaint and cabin retrim. The work included new sills, floor sections, and lower guards, plus an engine-out and a bare-metal respray in silver. The black leather cabin has been refreshed with new carpet, seat covers and door trims, while a new mohair soft top and colour-matched hardtop complete the package. Buyers get added transparency from the current voluntary MOT, which contains no advisories.

With its California history, rare manual gearbox, recent restoration, and colour scheme, this 230 SL Pagoda has much to commend it.

The seller says:

“The Mercedes-Benz Pagoda SL has long been admired for its beautifully balanced styling, excellent engineering and exceptional build quality. With its California provenance, extensive bodywork restoration and attractive Silver-over-Black colour scheme, this example offers an enticing prospect for an enthusiast seeking a classic Mercedes with the rare factory manual option.”

History and Paperwork

Left-hand-drive example, originally from California
First registered in 1966
Long-term single ownership from 1996 to 2014
Imported to the UK in 2014
UK registered in August 2020
Two registered UK owners
Current owner since January 2021
Recommissioned since arriving in the UK following long-term storage
Registration: KKH 783D
Chassis number: 10015593
MOT exempt by age
Current voluntary MOT to June 2027 with no advisories

The Condition

Sills, floor sections and lower guards replaced during restoration
Engine-out, bare-metal respray in silver metallic
Black interior refreshed with new carpet, seat covers and door trims
New mohair soft top fitted
Colour-matched hardtop included
Steel wheels with correct body colour hubcaps and chrome trim
Fitted with Hankook tyres
Interior features radio blanking plate and auxiliary temperature gauge

Certain colours are inextricably associated with certain brands. Mercedes and silver go together like Vegemite and toast, and thankfully it also complements Paul Bracq’s handsome, understated lines. As this car proves, it presents very well following its recent UK-based restoration.

The black interior presents well, including the neat detail touches like the dashboard veneers that make these cars so compelling.

The Mechanics

2,308cc straight six M127 engine
4-speed manual transmission
Recommissioned since arriving in the UK

Good as the 250SL and 280SL are, it’s the free-revving 230SL that purists tend to gravitate towards. These cars perfectly blend the sporting intent and long-legged cruisability the engineers originally planned when they conceived a successor to both the W198 and W121.

This car is said to run and drive well following its extensive restoration a few years ago. The mechanical condition is confirmed by the useful voluntary MOT, which contains no advisories.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller is registered as a private seller, which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..

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