***Vendor supplied images***
Highlights
- Extensive restoration between 2007 to 2008
- USA import
- Only three registered UK keepers
- Great paperwork file
The Appeal
Launched as the opening act as the W113 line, the 230SL set a new benchmark for roadsters with a fair budget. Strong, reliable, and achingly attractive - a serious improvement over the generation which came before - it offered more power, more performance, and it also ended up being quite the competitor, winning the Spa-Sofia-Liege rally in 1963.
This handsome example has been treated to a very extensive full restoration - which are absolutely not for the faint hearted, financially - when it was in Virginia in the USA. The restoration took place between 2007 to 2008, leaving the Pagoda in showroom condition inside and out, even fifteen years later it remains a proper bit of eye-candy worthy of the centrepiece to any collection.
The History and Paperwork
- Originally registered in 1964
- Originally a USA vehicle
- Professionally restored between 2007-2008
- Excellent paperwork file from the restoration
- Invoices for parts replaced throughout the process
- Imported into the UK in 2009
- Auto inspection report from Schumacher Cargo Logistics upon export
- Registered with the DVLA on the 1st of December 2010
- Three UK registered keepers
- Plethora of UK and USA invoices for maintenance carried out
- V5 main document has been misplaced, but the new keeper slip is available which can be used to tax and register the vehicle in the hands of the new owner
- MOT exempt, with its last two MOTs in 2016 and 2017 showing clean passes
- Only covered around 1,000 miles since UK import
- Original 230SL handbook
The Interior
- Cream leather interior
- Good brightwork throughout
- Excellent woodwork
- Hardtop and soft top present
- Original Becker Europa radio present
Like any Mercedes, stepping inside is one of the best things about it. Laced with luxurious materials, well-crafted finishes, and well laid-out ergonomics, it quickly becomes your new favourite place to be - after you’ve spent half the day gawking at how handsome it is on the outside.
Both front seats appear to be in lovely condition, the leather shows almost no signs of age or use with all of the stitching remaining intact and no scratches or tears present. The folding mechanism works as you would expect it to, giving easy access to the rear of the vehicle which provides ample storage space for any luggage, with some well presented floor carpets.
Ahead of the driver position, the steering wheel is very nicely presented with the outer rim showing very gentle signs of patina, good brightwork around the horn ring, and good leatherwork in the centre with the original Mercedes badge sitting proudly. Behind the steering wheel, the original gauges remain present showing only some subtle signs of age on the brightwork trims, all of the gauges themselves function properly and remain an absolute treat to look at. Switchgear across the dashboard is reported to remain entirely functional, and the original Becker radio remains in good condition, as do the air controls. On the dash, the wooden trim which runs along the bottom of the window shows itself in handsome condition with no signs of cracking or delamination, and the same goes for the vents just behind.
Both door cards are very well kept, with great leather condition and brightwork on the handles and window crank - no damage to report here. All of the floor carpets appear in excellent shape with almost no signs of use as expected from the minimal mileage one since the restoration, and the headlining of the hard top remains in fabulous form!
All Pagodas are extremely special to be in the presence of - but even more so when they’re as well outfitted as this. A truly beautiful example.
The Exterior
- White paintwork in lovely shape
- Excellent brightwork
- Impeccable bodywork and shut lines
- Hardtop very well maintained
Like most Mercedes of the era, the 230SL Pagoda is truly a looker. It’s rather easy to lose track of time standing back and staring, taking in all of the lines and curves the vehicle has to offer - especially when fitted with the hardtop.
Starting at the front of the Mercedes, everything here is in great order. The paintwork all appears to be very well kept, with no signs of damage or scratches. The front headlamps are presented in like-new condition, and all of the brightwork up front is in handsome shape with very minimal signs of age. It might have you reaching for the shades on a summer's day.
To the side of the Pagoda, everything is as you would expect - maybe better. All of the bodywork looks straight and true with no signs of dings or dents, with only a very small chip noticed on the driver side front wing. All of the shut lines look to be of factory fitment with great tolerances, and again the brightwork around the windows, wheels and along the lower portion of the car all look excellent. The wheels themselves are handsomely kept, with colour-matched hubcaps against black steel, which only show very minor signs of age, all shod in period correct white-wall tyres.
To the rear, the same story rings true. Lovely paintwork, great panel condition with no dents or dings, and the brightwork as dazzling as the rest of it. Both of the rear light clusters remain functional and free from damage, and the Mercedes badge and model designation remain proudly sitting in place.
Both the hardtop and soft top remain in very good health, no damage to report on either with good paintwork and brightwork on the hardtop, and excellent fabric on the soft top remaining reportedly watertight.
Overall a very well restored Pagoda. The very limited mileage since the extensive restoration has preserved this gem as if it were a museum piece - and given the way the prices of these cars have been going, has certainly played in its favour.
The Mechanics
- 2.3-litre inline-six engine
- 4-speed manual transmission
- Rear-wheel drive configuration
- Power steering model
- Great mechanical health
Packing the original drivetrain, comparison of the 2.3-litre straight-six engine and a 4-speed manual transmission developing a respectable 148bhp. Sure, it won’t rip your face off when it comes to pure performance, but that isn’t what these cars are all about. Not even a little bit. Style, luxury, charisma, that remains to be where the lovely Benz shines brightest.
The keeper tells us that the vehicle remains very well maintained, and it is believed to be in great mechanical health. The engine fires up without any issues and comes to a steady idle, the 4-speed manual transmission remains easy to navigate with confident shifts, and the steering and suspension remain an absolute breeze to live with as you would expect. Of course, with such good mechanical condition it really is a shame that the car appears to have only done around 1,000 miles since it wandered into the country over 13 years ago.
Rifling through the restoration invoices from 2007 and 2008 you will find a healthy amount of mechanical replacement parts, keeping the car in tip-top shape, and even something as simple as peeking into the engine compartment will give you an idea of how well cared for this lovely 230 is.
Summary
The 230SL Pagoda is often overlooked for its bigger brothers such as the 280, however it really shouldn’t be. Unlike most, it is a car that has stood the test of time, and has had an eye-watering amount of money invested into it by those who see the true value in these classic sportsters. With the way the prices of these are going, you’d be daft to let this example waft past you without slipping in a bid to attain a piece of automotive excellence.
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