This multiple concours winning 230SL ‘Pagoda’ has been treated to a superb restoration finished in blue metallic paint over grey leather. Featuring notable road-going performance upgrades including a rare W113 specific 6-speed manual transmission along with 4-wheel disc brakes, this unique W113 chassis is equal parts show car and drivers dream, one that few other Pagodas offer the range of driving and concours options that this special SL does.
Highlights
- Multiple concours winner
- Upgraded 6-speed manual transmission
- Upgraded with 4-wheel disc brakes
- Best In Class 2018 San Marino Motor Classic
- Best In Class 2021 Legends of the Autobahn
- Chassis no. 113.042-10-003988
- Desirable Euro model
- Retains original engine
- Retains 4-speed manual trans
- DB 387G metallic blue paint
- 955 light grey leather interior
- Becker Mexico cassette stereo
- Tinted windshield
- Soft top in blue
- Books, tools and spare
Concours Winning Driver’s Dream
As the direct successor to the legendary 300SL, the Paul Braq and Frederich Geiger designed 230SL became the first iteration of the W113 chassis Mercedes-Benz line of cars with production beginning in June of 1963 and lasting through January of 1967. These 230SL “Pagodas” are significant not only as a seminal sports car design, but also as a Mercedes-Benz foray into mass production on a car that would potentially bridge the gap between performance and luxury while also satiating a burgeoning desire for safety on the road. The 230SL incorporated an M127.II inline six-cylinder engine featuring Bosch mechanical fuel-injection that produced a solid 150 hp in a compact, well balanced package. Some 230SL’s, like the special example offered here, were fitted new with sporty 4 or 5 speed manual transmissions, while others were fitted with 4 speed automatics. 230SL’s were fitted new with disc brakes in the front and power-assisted drums in the rear with a familiar but modified SL front end and a trunk space with more capacity built into the design.
This remarkable, early production 230SL Roadster showcases a multiple concours-winning restoration done in striking colors while featuring unique performance upgrades. These upgrades, from our unique perspective as long time admirers and drivers of the W113 chassis cars, completely transform the driving experience in a manner that provides a more precise and refined road going affair. The expertly implemented upgrades applied to the car include the addition of a rare, custom built W113-specific 6-speed manual transmission installed in place of the original 4-speed as well as added disc brakes in the rear to match the discs installed in the front as original. As one of the more entertaining Pagodas we’ve had the pleasure of driving and representing for sale from a driving perspective, this special 6-speed version imparts a feeling once driven that Mercedes could have, and perhaps should have, implemented when the cars were built new.
In 2014, this unique 230SL was purchased in unrestored condition by its current owner, a long time collector of Mercedes-Benz based out of Newport Beach, California. Acquired in San Diego, California and believed to have lived the majority of its life in California, it was the perfect rust and accident free example, one well suited for full restoration to concours show standards. In concert with his long-time restorer who helped source the car for him, the current owner decided to purchase this 230SL with the intention of competing for concours prizes and, perhaps more importantly, including in its ground-up rotisserie rebuild a unique 6-speed manual transmission, a piece of the puzzle that the restorer had gotten word would be available in time to be put into the car as one built specifically for the W113 model.
The comprehensive, nut-and-bolt “rotisserie” restoration of this 6-speed manual 230SL ‘Pagoda’ was performed by W113 Mercedes expert Daniel Landeros of Santa Paula, California. The restoration spanned two years beginning in 2016 with completion occurring in 2018. The paintwork, interior, chrome trim and engine bay have all been restored for national level concours showing. As added benefit, a significant amount of effort has also been applied to the restoration of the often ignored undercarriage of the car, an area rarely fully and correctly restored on W113 Mercedes-Benz given the costs associated. The admirable level of work performed on this “Concours Winning Driver’s Dream” Pagoda is one that would be hard to find elsewhere in an already finished product. Dressed in stunning 387G blue metallic paint over 955 grey leather with grey carpets and a blue soft top, this beautifully restored Mercedes-Benz elegantly walks a fine line between show quality marque authenticity and tastefully implemented road-going upgrades; enhancements geared towards a truly superior Pagoda driving experience without sacrificing the original integrity of the W113 model’s original feel.
The transformative 6-speed manual transmission installed in the car today was built by and acquired from German builder Tom Siegfried, an expert in fashioning such custom transmissions for W113 and W111 model Mercedes-Benz. The pleasure of driving this 230SL has to be experienced to be appreciated, an exceptionally smooth ride with lower RPM’s per gear, quieter driving at all speeds and a shorter shifting pattern with a particularly effortless push between gears. Each gear has its place with 6th yielding an unusual satisfaction and smoothness when the car is pushed at high freeway speeds. The addition of disc brakes in the rear adds calm to the overall performance yielded by the temptation to push the car to higher speeds, a period correct addition to a model already specifically designed for safety by innovator Béla Barényi.
This early production 230SL Mercedes-Benz is equal parts concours show winner and driving bliss. The car has multiple first place awards at major events, winning best in class at the 2018 San Marino Motor Classic and, more recently, best in class at the annual Pebble Beach week German classic showcase Legends of the Autobahn in August of 2021. With a top class restoration completed in blue metallic paint over grey leather upholstery, this lovely W113 Mercedes-Benz comes fitted with its original engine, 6-speed manual transmission, disc brakes in the rear, original 4-speed manual transmission, original rear end with drum brakes, blue soft top, books, tools, spare tire and even its rare original early 230SL trunk mat. A genuinely unique, not-to-be-missed combination of show quality restoration combined with performance advancements that would be all but impossible to replicate elsewhere for the price asking.
