Description

1964 Mercedes-Benz 230SL Pagoda

AMENDMENT; Believed two American owners from new; manual gearbox; LHD; a really lovely example of this blue chip classic

As is typical with American imports, this lovely 1964 Mercedes 230SL comes with no history to speak of but we are told that it had just one owner from new until 1984. It was then acquired by a Mr Richardson of Portland, Oregon, from local dealership Don Rasmussen Co. as a 20^th wedding anniversary present for his wife who was to keep it for the next 35 years. A fitting gift as the Mercedes was also 20 years old and she had always wanted a white Pagoda convertible.
We are further told that the car was only used in the summer months and was kept in a heated garage during the winter – hence the good state of preservation today. The cognoscenti among you will already have spotted the dimples in the front wings where they meet the headlamps, a sure sign that they are factory original panels. We are also told that the car did have a comprehensive history file which has sadly gone missing between it leaving the Richardsons and arriving in the UK.
Finished in gleaming white with a lovely red leather interior (plus rear occasional seat), the car presents very well indeed, the only real defect we noted being the wooden dash trim strip below the windscreen which could do with sanding down and refinishing. We are told that the soft top is present and in serviceable condition although the back window is somewhat yellowed and cloudy. Starting promptly and driving nicely as we moved it around for these photos, it is a most impressive-looking car all round.
Imported to the UK earlier this year, it has not yet been registered here but comes with a US Certificate of Title and a NOVA reference showing that all duties have been paid so getting a V5C will be straightforward using the requisite DVLA form.
We are told that the Richardsons will be following the sale with interest and would be happy to correspond with the new owner if desired.

AMENDMENT: We have just added some photos of the soft top to the website and it will need replacing. We also have the datacard for the car and can confirm that it retains its original engine.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com
MODEL HISTORY
Conceived as a replacement for both the glamorous (if underpowered) 190SL and the hugely complex and expensive 300SL Roadster, the W113 was launched in 1963 and remained in production until 1971. Beginning life with a 148bhp fuel-injected 2.3-litre straight-six, it was soon joined by a similarly powerful 2.5 in 1966 and by the range-topping 170bhp 2.8-litre in 1967.
All were capable of at least 120mph and had front disc brakes, double wishbone and coil spring front suspension with a coil-sprung swing axle at the rear. To save weight, doors, boot and bonnet were made of aluminium. A choice of manual or automatic transmission was available, both four-speed.
All looked identical with a low waistline, wide stance, fishbowl headlamps and big curved greenhouse windows topped with that distinctive dished removable hardtop – hence the 'Pagoda' name. A rare combination of dainty elegance and muscular strength, it remains at least as desirable today as it was at launch over half-a-century ago. Not just a pretty face, a 230SL was driven to victory in one of Europe’s toughest rallies, the Spa-Sophia-Liege in 1963.