Highlights

Recently restored with an estimated £90,000 spent
Rare four-speed manual example
In current ownership since 2018
MOT valid to April 2027

The Appeal

Aiming the smack-bang centre of the 300SL supercar and 190SL roadster, the W113 was a natural evolution of the Mercedes-Benz open-top formula, with subtle curvy styling inspired by its predecessors, a unique concave roof and excellent build quality. It was a beautifully evolved car, and has rightfully gone down as one of the marque's most revered designs. Manual examples such as this are a rare find, offering a more engaging driving experience than the more commonly seen automatic cars.

There are few enthusiasts who don't see the appeal. These cars' bold styling and perky performance have made for one of the era's definitive all-time classics, and they continue to command a dedicated following.

This particular 250 SL has benefited from a painstaking restoration, which was completed by around 2022. Having been in the current owner's care since 2018 and always stored indoors, it's still in utterly fine order. Plus, with an MOT valid to April 2027 and a swathe of new parts, it's ready and waiting for its lucky new keeper.

History and Paperwork

First registered in 1967 in Germany
Originally sold new in Germany and later exported to the United States
Imported to the UK in 2012 and registered on UK plates
In current ownership since 2018
Underwent an extensive restoration, with an estimated £90,000 spent
Restoration completed circa 2021, with the respray finished in March 2022
The vendor states the car has always been stored indoors
Showing 43,280 kilometres
MOT valid to April 2027

The Condition

Bare metal respray in the original (050) Papyrus White, completed in March 2022
New body panels including rear inner wings, rear valance and outer sills supplied by Mercedes-Benz
Well-presented soft top, which appears clean and crease-free in the photographs
Original detachable 'Pagoda' hard top included
All new chrome, bumpers and lights fitted
Colour-matched hubcaps on refurbished wheels with new tyres
Re-trimmed bright red leather interior with contrasting white stitching
Leather seats, door cards and dashboard renewed as part of the restoration
Matching red carpeting throughout
Some original switches are showing signs of use
Bluetooth stereo and remote central locking fitted
Fire extinguisher included
New spare tyre and jack present in the boot

Taking in the subtle curvy nose, the concave top and the big Bosch fishbowl lights, the Pagoda is a very impressive and unerringly appealing sort of sports car. The restoration that this car was treated to has clearly held up very well - with Papyrus White paintwork, a red soft top and a handsome red interior trim.

The bodywork is straight and carries a fine shine, while the car's handsome interior appears full, plush and copmfortable, with the atomic-age chrome-rich dashboard accompanied by a wood-trimmed steering wheel and gearshift, clean instruments and a period-look radio.

The Mechanics

2,496cc inline six-cylinder engine
Four-speed manual transmission
Full engine rebuild including new pistons, rings, bearings, oil pump, water pump, radiator and injection system
Gearbox rebuild with new clutch disc and cylinder
New starter motor and brake booster
Braking system replaced including discs, hydraulic lines, master cylinder and callipers
Suspension rebuilt with new springs, shock absorbers and bushes
New fuel tank
New wiring loom with alternator conversion
New front and rear lights
We understand that the car is ready and waiting to go

With the engine famously veering into bulletproof territory, the mechanical specs of the W113 have held up nicely. This is a very endurance-friendly car, capable of decent turns of speed even by modern standards and keeping up with the modern network admirably.

This example has been thoroughly overhauled, with a fine parts list rebuilding the hardware to factory-spec. The four-speed manual transmission is reportedly engaging well, and the engine running as it should.

BEFORE YOU BUY

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