1964 Mercedes-Benz 230SL Pagoda SL W113

1964 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 230SL Description

This early version of the 230SL has been in our family since 1980. We purchased it for some occasional top-down driving enjoyment and for more than 35 years, the car has delivered just that. For us it was never intended as a show car, just a cool, fun ride. Well, life and priorities change and it is time for us to find our SL’s next owner.

This would be a great car to leave as is and enjoy as we have or a terrific project to restore and take to a higher level.

The car’s history before 1980 is unknown. My family owned and operated the car in New Jersey until a year ago when it was transported to Palm Springs, California. During our family’s ownership the car was driven in good weather mostly during the spring and summer months. It was also always garaged during its time with us.

The car starts up with no problem and accelerates nicely shifting though the gears. Brakes operate properly with no unusual noise or pulling. Basically the car is a joy to drive!

This 230SL seems very complete and original to me as you can see from the many detailed photos below. The only glaring exception is the stereo which was installed before we bought it. It sounds great but I wish the car has its original radio.

This SL was repainted the original Papyrus White before we bought it. After more than 30 years, the finish is showing its age. The hard top is finished in a rich dark blue that might appear black in some of my photos. It came from the factory this color. There is a dent in the hard top that can be seen in some of the photos. The soft top, also blue, is in good shape and based on the appearance of the headliner - I think it might be original. There is a bit of fraying at the base on the driver's side (pictured). Rust is a problem with any SL. For a car that spent most of its life in the northeast, rust appears to be limited. I have spotted some bubbling near the headlights on the front fenders. The underside of the car seems pretty good with the exception of some rust on the panels near the front jack points. There is some surface rust inside the trunk (pictured) that may have been due to some dampness in the past. It is interesting to note that the spare tire location on this early SL is in a different place than later models. There are some scratches in the paint on the top of the left rear fender that happened when we were trying to install the hardtop one day.

We don't know for sure if the car has ever been in an accident but we can confirm it has not in the last 35+ years since we’ve owned it. The factory spot-welds on the front fenders appear to have been covered over and the alignment dimples for the headlights are missing. The chrome trim on the car is aged and there is some pitting on the emblems and door handles. The chrome surround for the front grill needs some straightening. Lenses on the car are generally good but the plastic surround on the passenger’s side headlight assembly is broken.

The interior appears be original. The dark blue MB-Tex seats are in terrific shape and still provide good support. There is also a "jump-seat" installed in the car. The door panels are in great condition as well. The carpeting looks green but upon close inspection there are hidden portions that are blue (pictured). The exposed blue carpet has faded to green. The dash is also in good condition. The wood trim could stand to be refinished but it is not cracked. There is some shrinkage of the vinyl on the driver’s side. Gauges and instruments all work properly (except the clock) as do the wipers, exterior lights, signals, heater fan and horn. The trim on the center axis of the tachometer needle has fallen off but it is still inside the gauge. Slide switches for heater controls move nicely. An aftermarket stereo was installed in the car prior to us acquiring it. Unfortunately the original radio is not available. The installed radio works fine.

Under the hood there is room for improvement cosmetically. The firewall pad has deteriorated and needs to be replaced. A good cleaning would do wonders. The car has received periodic maintenance over the years. Most recently, when it arrived in Palm Springs the car was serviced by a local specialist. Oil, air and fuel filters were replaced as well as belts. The car comes with its original owner's manual, jack and jack tools.

The values for the “Pagoda” SLs continue to rise. Investing in this car is a good bet even with the things that need attention. Restored or unrestored these cars are a blast to drive and provide an experience like few other cars can. Parts are still available from Mercedes-Benz and there are specialists for this model that can provide expert advice and service.

Terms:

We want there to be no misunderstandings or disappointments. This is a 52 year old automobile. I have done my best to represent it accurately. The winner of the auction is purchasing it as-is - no warranty is offered. The buyer is responsible for local pick-up and/or transport of the vehicle. I reserve the right to end the auction early as the car is for sale locally. Payment should be a bank-issued cashier's check or wire transfer. A $500 deposit is due within 24 hours after the auction. Balance must be settled within 7 days. Please ask all questions before the auction ends.