﹒Stunning manual Pagoda with matching numbers
﹒Kept in Germany form new until 2017
﹒Mileage equates to 42,500
﹒Original Becker Europa radio

March 1963, and at the Geneva Motor Show there were sharp intakes of breath as Mercedes-Benz pulled the wraps off its most important new model of the decade. 

Codenamed W113, the new SL-Series roadster replaced the iconic W198 Series of sports cars that had given us the legendary 190SL roadster and 300SL ‘Gullwing’ coupé, so the new two-door Mercedes was a car with a huge weight on its shoulders.

Styled by Paul Bracq under the direction of chief designer Friedrich Geiger, the newcomer pulled it off beautifully, in more ways than one. First, there was the styling. It was based on the 220 ‘Fintail’ range of saloons and used a truncated version of the executive saloon car’s platform, but with a rigid central passenger cell. 

It also introduced a first to the industry in terms of passenger safety, as around that central passenger cell the SL featured crumple zones front and rear – a feature that has been used in automotive engineering across the spectrum ever since. 

It was a typical Mercedes-Benz of its era. Wonderfully over-engineered, delicately styled and sturdily constructed, it was both handsome and engaging to drive. The M127 straight-six engine developed 150bhp, which was impressive for its era, fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual or three-speed automatic gearbox.

The car was offered with a detachable steel roof, from which it gets its ‘Pagoda’ nickname thanks to its inwardly curved apex, similar to that of a Far Eastern temple. It also had a soft top stored beneath a built-in metal tonneau and it manages to be undisputedly good looking no matter whether the hardtop is fitted or the roof is up or down. 

The example we have here is a 1966 example of the 230SL, one of the last to feature the launch specification engine before the 250SL and 280SL succeeded it. It is, therefore, a properly original Pagoda, while further appeal comes from the fact that until 2017 the car had spent its entire life in Germany – it’s a matching numbers European car rather than one of the many US imports that have come back over the years and that will inevitably increase its appeal to the collector market.

First registered in July 1966, the SL spent most of its life in Bavaria and was most recently kept in Landshut, near Munich. The owner was known to the current keeper and sadly passed away in 2017, which led to it being bought by his family and kept at their business premises in Devon, from where it has been regularly maintained and annually serviced by a local classic vehicle specialist. 

The current owner used it extensively last summer but has decided to sell it in favour of something more suited to frequent and regular use, though has said he is more than happy to keep it if it doesn’t meet his reserve.

At present, the car only comes with fairly recent paperwork including a UK V5C and documentation supporting its import, as well as a condition and valuation report from a German Mercedes specialist compiled in 2017. 

There are also a collection of photographs of the car from its time in Germany along with a certificate of authenticity proving its build date and matching engine and chassis numbers. 

The vendor believes that the family of the deceased previous owner in Germany may still have some of the car’s documentation from earlier in its life and is in the process of following this up, though he cannot guarantee that his enquiries will turn anything up.

Aside from one broken interior handle, the cabin of the 230SL is exquisite, with black MB-Tex leather effect upholstery in good, presentable condition with no noticeable cracks or damage. 

The painted metal dash and minimal wood trim are also in good order, while all of the dials work as they should. The carpets are good, and both the internal roof trim and headlining of the hardtop are in fine order. 

By far the most desirable feature, though, is its stunning Becker Europa radio, which was a majorly expensive option when new and is hugely sought after by collectors today. It works, too.

This car is an older restoration, carried out in the mid-1990s, and it still looks sensational in shiny solid red. 

Up close, there are a few imperfections, notably some areas around the roof mounts and wiper spindles that have been touched up and a small area of overspray on the windscreen rubbers, most likely from its Nineties respray. There are also a couple of hairline cracks and micro-blisters in the paint so if you’re looking for a concours entrant, this probably isn’t it. 

It is, however, absolutely stunning and the imperfections are very minor. The panels are all straight and true and the paint hasn’t faded or delacquered at all. It still looks remarkably fresh and smart. 

The chrome is mostly good save for a few small blemishes on the rear bumper corners, while underneath there’s evidence of previous welded repairs, but these have been done properly and there are no areas of corrosion or weakness. It has a stainless steel exhaust system, while all of the light housings and exterior trim are in fine fettle. 

The hardtop is in excellent condition, while the fabric hood is also very good, with a couple of minor nicks in the fabric. The rear window is particularly good and hasn’t gone opaque, which is a fault commonly seen on cars imported from warmer climates.

The 2,290cc straight six is mated to a four-speed manual gearbox, which makes this the sportiest example of the early Pagodas. 

It has covered a genuine 68,524km from new as it was garaged and only used occasionally in its early life – that translates to just over 42,500 miles. 

It starts first time and sounds smooth and healthy, while the owner reports that it is ‘wonderful’ to drive. There are no known mechanical issues disclosed by the vendor.

It’s a cherry red Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda – need we say more? Well, okay then. If we must. Despite the obvious and very real appeal of the car and its colour scheme, this is also a wonderfully original example and – more importantly – a matching numbers European car. It has been sympathetically rather than over-restored and is immensely usable as well as something you’d be more than proud to show. 

Values of Pagodas have been on a steadily upward trajectory for some time now and this one has masses of originality and collector appeal. As well as car that would be wonderful to use and enjoy, it also promises to be a sensible long-term investment.

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