Highlights

Ex-Michigan, USA car
Desirable period colour combination of red with black vinyl and tan carpet
2.3L Straight six with manual transmission, most economical option available
The vehicle has been subject to a £7500 recommission by noted marque specialists The SL Shop in July 2023
Two Previous US owners current owner the third owner.

The Appeal

The Mercedes-Benz 230 SL W113 was a two-seat roadster introduced at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show. Replacing the beloved W198 and W121, the W113 was intended to bridge the gap between the lower specified 190 SL and the much higher priced 300 SL of the previous generation, opening up the car to a much wider audience. With this in mind, the vehicle was intended to finely balance performance with comfort. Professor Fritz Nallinger, Mercedes’ Technical Director put their design intent eloquently: “It was our aim to create a very safe and fast sports car with high performance, which despite its sports characteristics, provides a very high degree of traveling comfort”

Mercedes specified these vehicles with three top options, which the owner could choose from depending on the weather and season. There was a hard top, soft top, and no top; leaving the owner with an option to put up the soft top in the case that their sunny day turns to rain.

This particular vehicle, while not in concourse condition, is in above average shape for its age thanks for a historic restoration and excellent care and storage since. With recent work having been done to the car to recommission it for the road, this W113 230 SL is ready and willing to be driven. Based on its current excellent mechanical condition and overall slick and shiny exterior, this one is a prime candidate to be driven often and without the worries associated with classic cars of this nature. Additionally benefitting from the 2.3L straight six—Mercedes’ smallest and most fuel-efficient offering for the W113s—it’s also the most economical SL of the bunch.

The History and Paperwork

Ex-Michigan, USA car from Grand Rapids
Imported by previous owner in 2018, 2 UK owners
The Nova paperwork is dated August 20th, 2018
Registered as Historic Vehicle with reg plate AVG 758D
MoT and VED exempt in the UK
Some historic invoices for work and maintenance, and a few early stamps in the service book
Comes with original dealer package including owner’s manual, catalogue, and Ziebart rustproof certificate
Also comes with workshop manuals, and some memorabilia
Historic restoration apparent but undocumented
Believed to have had some paintwork in 1982 by the second owner the vendor informs us
Recent recommissioning work completed at The SL Shop in July 2023:
- New starter motor totalling £763.69
- Engine commissioning including new HT ignition leads, spark plugs, clutch inspection, replace fuel pipe totalling £1,147.50
- Injection pump inspection, new injectors, new rear brake shoes and wheel cylinder on OSR only totalling £3,881.58
- New gear selector bushes, coolant hose, replace more fuel piping, and final check-over totalling £1,339.18
Comes complete with a quality indoor MB car cover and a hard-top stand and cover, workshop manuals and SL Pagoda books

This lovely example was imported in 2018 from Grand Rapids, Michigan. It’s in a reportedly original spec, unmodified, and showing little signs of wear for the mileage driven. The car has been dry stored and driven very lightly by the current owner. The body work and paint are in good but imperfect condition, as they’re the result of a historic restoration which would have taken place by a previous owner in the US.

Very recently the current owner has had The SL Shop recommission the vehicle for sale, and as such is in a mechanically sound and visually clean and tidy state, ready for the next owner to drive to its fullest and enjoy as often as they like.

The Interior

All electrical equipment said to be in working order
Hard top and soft top in great shape, only small imperfections seen
Interior has not been restored and is all original including the working Becker radio.

Upon sitting inside this one, you’ll instantly note the top-spec materials used in the design of the interior. The interior is well designed and planned, with everything being within easy reach and operation of the driver. It does feel like a ‘60s car, in the best possible way. It presents as a luxurious and ergonomic configuration, which one certainly wouldn’t grow tired of using, even in a daily-driver capacity.

The interior shows little sign of wear and tear, and it is complete without any known missing bits. While there are some light scuffs and small signs of use on the seats, it’s certainly not heavy enough wear to warrant any complaints. We did not the passenger side seat has a small area where the upholstery is separating from the top of the seat as pictured, and the black vinyl upholstery looks to have an area repaired on the topmost right-side corner.

The dashboard is in great shape, with some light scuffs near the ignition seen. The current owner also assures us that all of the electronics and gauges are in working order. All hand-wound windows operate smoothly, and the radio still works.

The headlining is in near-perfect condition with only a couple small scuffs which could be repaired, and one small rip. The door panels and interior trim are equally gorgeous. The driver’s door does require a particular amount of force to shut, the door catch may want to be inspected and reworked if desired.

The boot is very spacious and tidy, with vinyl flooring and all hardware in good condition. The spare tyre is present, and the full and complete original Mercedes tool kit is present and in great condition.

The Exterior

Very straight body
Paint and brightwork in incredible condition for age
Desirable period colour
Hard top in excellent condition
ZIEBART rust proofed from new with certificate which together with the aluminium bonnet, doors and boot panels produces the solid vehicle we see today
New soft top in 2019 pre-Covid and hardly used since, vendor informs us the soft-top has never seen rain
Some paint chips to be touched-in and a temperamental driver’s door catch which probably needs replacing

The exterior of this Merc is in great average condition for its age. While there are a couple of scratches, small dings, and paint chips present, these issues do not detract from the overall appearance of the car. The paint remains glossy, the chrome bumpers are all in great condition, and the glass is in top shape.

The window glass is in good condition, rather tidy with very small chips expected from normal use, but nothing larger than a small stone impact. The headlight and taillight lenses are clear, and the indicator lenses show no hint of fogging often associated with a car of this age.

The wiper trim, rubbers, and exterior plastics are all intact, with the body trim and rubbers in a good and functioning state as well.

The hard top is in extraordinary condition, with all fittings present and a flush seating. There is some paint chipping and signs of use where the hardtop mounts to the body, but this is to be expected for a car that actually sees use. The soft top is in equally good condition, with vinyl window showing no signs of fading or creasing. The rear latch for the soft top could use adjustment, as the rear bit has been mentioned to be difficult to secure at times.

The original wheels are perfectly fine but could benefit from a refurbish, as there are some scratches and the paint and some signs of kerb damage. However, it should be noted that the overall finish of the wheels is in good shape, paintwork in overall good order with brightwork shining.

The underside of the vehicle does show a hefty coar of waxoyl or other sealant, and there are some light signs of corrosion seen but nothing we would be concerned about. Suspension components and springs show some surface corrosion, see photos. There is also one area of rust seen on the front end as pictured.

The Mechanics

2.3L straight-six sounds smooth and pleasant
Manual transmission shifts fluidly with recently replaced gear selector bushes
Owner states it runs and drives very well and accelerates perfectly

The current owner reports the car to be in excellent mechanical condition with steering, brakes, engine, drivetrain and running gear performing as well as it should, and better than expected for the age. The 4-speed manual transmission connects smoothly into all gears, and the power is excellently balanced for the vehicle.

The engine is solid and has been maintained regularly at specialty service garages while under the care of its current owner. As far as we can see, there has been absolutely no modification to any factory components, and it looks to be in a clean and tidy condition. The owner states there are no leaks, smoke, or abnormal noises to report.

Owner states the vehicle drives straight, stops straight, and handles just as it should for a Mercedes’ luxury sportscar.

Summary

It’s a convertible luxury sports car, from the golden era of convertible luxury sports cars. And in addition to that, it’s a beautiful and dignified dark red, and absolutely packed with chrome. If that doesn’t make enough of a statement, you’ll have to put the top down and don your white-frame sunglasses. If you’re looking to be transported back to 1960’s in this ex-USA car, you will absolutely not be disappointed.

On top of its period-style and high class, it’s fully ready to be toured with and is indeed in a condition where you don’t have to worry about its insignificant imperfections; just enjoy the car for what it is, and enjoy it to its fullest. With the incredible Mercedes luxury we’ve all come to expect, and the economy of the engine specification, you can enjoy the car in all of its configurations as often as you like. It’s essentially three cars in one, hard top, soft top, and no top. You’ll never get caught out in the rain, and you’ll always be having a good time.

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*

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