Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful classics ever to come from the house of Benz, the W113 'Pagoda' has become the stuff of legend. One of those mythological classics that seems to get every bit of its design utterly correct. There's a real purity to every inch of its iconic bodywork, from the fishbowl headlamps to the subtle fins and, of course, that impressive concave top. 

It's also remarkably smooth-running and enduring, a car that happily chomps up the miles with little resource, and amongst all of the options available, it's arguable that the 250SL is the best of them. A little more 'oomph' than its relatively underpowered 230SL brethren, and maintaining those classic lines before the 280SL necessitated changes. In essence, everything is going for it, and it's this one the in-the-know enthusiasts tend to pick up.

This Pagoda is exactly that, and is a bona fide matching numbers example that's been with its current steward since 2006. It's in fine order from top to tyres, and has plenty of money invested into it to keep it at its best. A fabulous prospect for any enthusiast who fancies a bit of true 1960s luxury. 

A walk around any Pagoda is a fabulous experience, but this one is particularly fine. Good, solid and honest - a true driver's beauty, with all of its delicate curves and thoughtful design cues proudly on display. A little bit of pitting here and there from the brightwork, but that's a remarkably small price to pay for the car's venerable years. 

The soft top is in fine order, and the concave hard top looks as it should, too. Everything is present and correct. It's close enough to being a garage queen as it is a car for the road; though of course we'd recommend the latter. 

The interior of the Pagoda was designed to be as forward facing and deceptively detailed as the car's bodywork. What appears simple at first glance is really quite the smorgasbord of brave, 1960s futurism. Curvy shapes, plenty of shining metal and big round dials around a rectangular multigauge. Hard to deny how effective it is even today, and this one is no exception.

The MB-Tex upholstery appears in sound order, with very little signs of use and good, plump bolsters. The same goes for the nicely kept carpets and door cards, all picked out in tasteful blacks that contrast beautifully against the paintwork framing it. 

Sitting in the middle of the range, the 2.5-litre straight-six is a perky, capable powerplant that's still capable of keeping up decently with day-to-day traffic. Like many Mercedes-Benz engines, it's built like a brick, and is adapted from the much-respected M180 powerplant, which remained in production all the way up until 1985. As a result, parts are plentiful.

We're told that this car is driving as it should, and the engine certainly looks in good condition. Previously subject to a full rebuild, it looks like this fine sports car is ready and waiting for its new owner.

BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
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