Description
The 250 is the rarest of the popular ‘Pagoda’ Mercedes SLs, with only 5100 built, compared to 20, 000 230s and 24, 000 280s. Mercedes adjusted the gearing on the cars so each model actually has very similar performance and there are actually few differences between them. This was an original European-spec model delivered new in Frankfurt, but came to the US just ten years later. Consequently it has the lovely one-piece headlights, but when it was restored, new US-type instruments were installed so you don’t have to figure out KPH equivalents.
We consider this car a really nice driver-level example because it runs like a top, has great paint, interior & mechanical condition. The bodywork is straight and rust free with excellent chrome, too. The manual 4-speed is a big plus and is far more fun to drive than the automatics so often found in these 113 cars. Originally built in Signal Red, it was comprehensively changed to Silver before even leaving Germany. During its restoration years ago—a restoration that was engine-out, so even the engine compartment looks right. And it still has the original ‘notches’ in the front fenders!
Along with all wear-related components—like exhaust, brakes, etc—the car was upgraded with new glass, suspension rebuild, inertia-reel seatbelts and novel extras like heated seats (!) in genuine leather—not MB-Tex—and a modern stereo system. Also included is an official Mercedes data certificate (“Zertifikat”) that shows the engine is the original one and that the car was fitted with a limited-slip diff along with other options.
The car is complete with the original tool set, a roll-around trolly is included for the hard top and a nice set of original owner’s books (in English) plus a shop manual. The black canvas convertible top is in excellent condition as is the interior woodwork. Besides the custom center console unit in the pictures, we have the original tray as well. The car has been in a climate-controlled collection for the past eleven years. To get it ready for the road this summer, our shop just spent $4500 to remove and boil out the fuel tank, as well as clean the whole fuel system and tune up. It’s difficult to get a solid, good-looking, good-driving Pagoda for under $100K, making this one is a great opportunity.
