West Coast Classics are proud to present an extremely rare barn find (garage really!) of this all stock and mostly all original 1966 Mercedes 230SL 'Pagoda' roadster in its original 'Papyrus White' (Color code 717G) color paint with a 'Burgundy' leather interior with very desirable original factory options of an automatic transmission with floor shifter, power steering, original 'Becker Europa AM/FM' radio, factory clock, a new German 'Black' canvas soft top and original factory 'Papyrus White' hard top!
Recently purchased from its most recent southern California owners, the car runs very well with no known issues and is an absolute pleasure to drive. There are no signs of any accident damage and no rust. This particular example presents a wonderful opportunity for the Mercedes enthusiast to either collect and enjoy today as a superb example of a very original and stock Pagoda.
The original factory 'Papyrus White' (Code 717-G) color paint has been beautifully and professionally repainted in the same color at some point in the recent past and the car still sports its matching hubcaps, the chrome work is all excellent and the original interior is in exceptional shape for its age with all the gauges and switches and levers all in very good shape, the original dashboard and wood is all very good and the car boasts beautiful reupholstered leather seats. The car also boasts its original 'Becker Europa' radio and clock and a brand new 'Black' German canvas factory soft top.
By 1963 the 190SL (Super Light) and the 300SL Roadster were neither Super or Light and the 190SL was simply too heavy to compete with the likes of even the British MG or Triumph and completely underpowered compared to the Austin-Healeys or Jaguars. Mercedes had two choices, either return to the premise of the original 300SL and build another pure sports car or create a new grand touring sports car that would continue the reputation of the SL's as touring cars rather than super racing cars. Mercedes chose the latter with a compromise between the 190 and 300 with the introduction of the W113 platform 230SL which was a two-seat roadster/coupe, introduced at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show and the series was continued through 1971.
Like the Gullwing before it, the 230SL had a distinguishing feature which was its removable hardtop with a distinctive dip in its center to offer tall windows to create a better balanced side view and more headroom for passengers getting in and out while still maintaining a low sporty roofline from the front and rear and which earned the car the nickname 'Pagoda' roof. It also proved an efficient way to remove rainwater and channel it away from the car. Top speed was about 115mph which was better than the 190SL but obviously not in the same class as the 300SL.
All models were equipped with an inline-six cylinder engine with multi-port fuel injection. The hood, trunk lid, door skins and tonneau cover were all made of aluminum to reduce weight. The comparatively short and wide chassis, combined with an excellent suspension, powerful brakes and radial tires gave the W113 superb handling for its time. The styling of the front, with its characteristic upright Bosch 'fishbowl' headlights and simple chrome grille, dominated by the large three-pointed star in the nose panel, paid tribute to the then already legendary 300 SL roadster.
The 280 SL was introduced in December 1967 and continued in production through 23 February 1971, when the W113 was replaced by its successor, the entirely new and substantially heavier R107 350 SL. Over the years, the W113 evolved from a sports car into a comfortable grand tourer and US models were by then usually equipped with the 4-speed automatic transmission and air conditioning. In Europe, manual transmissions without air conditioning were still the predominant choice.This car must be truly be seen and driven to be fully appreciated - the engine is extremely strong and responsive with excellent oil pressure and which sounds absolutely magnificent, the automatic transmission shifts smoothly through the gears and the engine temperature always remains cool.
This is a very fine example of this highly collectible 1966 Mercedes 230SL roadster in turn-key ready shape for daily appreciating and daily head-turning driving today!
