1966 Mercedes Pagoda 230 SL Price: £125000.00
Original factory fitted ZF 5 speed manual gearbox – According to Mercedes Benz Less than 130 cars of the 230 SL model were fitted with the ZF 5 speed gearbox from factory
Left Hand Drive
Exterior colour White (30)
Registered in UK
Mileage: 47,712 miles (76,786 KM)
Location: Fife, Scotland
:
This car was produced on the 3
rd August 1966.
The original production card specifies its delivery to Italy with a white exterior and yellow antique leather interior, power steering, 5 speed gearbox, rear axle gear ratio 1:4,08 and white wall tyres in full European spec.
The car went from from Europe to America, and we have a number of receipts dating from 1980 to 1983 which include a receipt for the change of interior to grey leather.
Whilst in America, the car was garage-stored for more than 30 years and during this time was regularly started and checked by main agents in New York.
We have confirmation of this in writing from the previous owner Mr. Robert. S. Wennersten.
When we purchased the car in 2015 it was in reasonable condition, having had only two previous private owners from new. The car was fully drivable and in use but with some thinning of chrome and fading paintwork in places.
We decided that the car merited restoration. This has been done very thoroughly and took some time to complete.
The car is offered having undergone ( plus some upgrades)
a full restoration utilising, renovating and restoring as much of the original as possible at considerable expense. The car has been restored to as close to factory conditions as we could.
The five-speed manual is described as ‘the drivers car’ of the pagodas.
If you would like any additional details, please email us on
[email protected] Or call Jackie Stewart on +447836775715 or
Hugh Stewart on +441337831790
History of the W113
A landmark model that founded a sports car dynasty that would prove an enormous commercial success for Mercedes-Benz. Introduced at the Geneva Salon in March 1963 as replacement for the 190 SL, the 230 SL abandoned its predecessor's four-cylinder engine in favour of a 2.3-litre fuel-injected six derived from that of the 220 SE and producing 150bhp. An instant classic, the body design was entirely new while beneath the skin the running gear was conventional Mercedes-Benz, featuring all-round independent suspension (by swing axles at the rear), disc front/drum rear brakes, and a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. Top speed was in excess of 193km/h. The Mercedes 230 SL was produced from June 1963 to January 1967when it was replaced by the 250 SL. During that time 19,831 cars were produced.
In May 1966 the 5 speed ZF gearbox was offered as an optional extra which was only available in combination with the 1:4,08 differential at considerable extra cost.
The 230 SL even managed a debut competition victory, as Sporting Motorist noted: "Performances of the Mercedes-Benz range in the competition field are legendary, and we think particularly of participation in the most rugged of rallies where the cars have proved their strength and stamina beyond doubt. Soon after the 230 SL was announced, Eugen Bohringer drove one to victory in the Spa-Sofia-Liège Rally, and although competition outings are rare, this was the sort of debut one would expect from the Stuttgart factory."
Christened 'Pagoda' after their distinctive hard top, Japanese temple shape - devised by French automotive designer and classic car enthusiast, Paul Bracq - these SL models were amongst the best-loved sports-tourers of their day and remain highly sought after by collectors.
Points of Interest
“Ref Mercedes S.L the complete guide Magazine issued 2018” (See part of article below)
Specialists opinions and comments on 230 SL 1963 to 1967. Performance:
Standard 4 speed manual gearbox 0-62 in 11.1 seconds.
Standard 4 speed automatic gearbox 0-62 in 10.7 seconds
Rare 5 speed manual gearbox 0-62 in 9.7 seconds.
Comments:
“The most sprightly transmission however was the optional ZF-S5-20 five speed manual which cut the benchmark sprint to
9.7 seconds. Experts summing up at the end of the article-quote “would not blame anyone for preferring an automatic pagoda: but for anyone who enjoys spirited driving and more interaction with their carriage, then a well fettled manual transmission is perfect. Zahnradfabriks very rare five speed appealing to drivers of far more modern cars and having the added bonus of reducing engine revolutions with that fifth gear slotted home on faster roads entailing more economy and a quieter smoother drive”, rightly described as the drivers car of the pagodas and the “holy grail” of this model.
Another Magazine article in Classic Mercedes, issue 16 Summer 2016 (Please see part of article below)
An Article on Phil Lufty, a worldwide renowned guru and authority on the Mercedes W113 S.L pagoda.
Some quotes from his report. “Phil is uniquely qualified to comment on their driving dynamics and says “They are especially thrilling to drive when equipped with the rare five speed manual transmission which can quickly carry them up to Freeway (Motorway) speeds” Notes Phil with enthusiasm. “Four speed manual and automatics were usually found on the pagodas but the very rare five speed manual gives the driver a very quiet and enjoyable ride” says Phil.
