1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL (W113) |

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1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL (W113)

This vehicle has now been sold - click ‘Register Similar’ below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

Sold Price

£47,700

Mileage~59,144
TransmissionAutomatic
Engine2.3L
LocationLyndhurst

SOLD

1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL (W113)

I WANT ONE

Introduction

Darren Rungasamy

Automotive Editor, Photographer and Consigner

The SL is stylish and handsome but also a usable touring car, Mercedes-Benz engineering shines through.

The W113 is recognised as one of the worlds most perfectly proportioned sports cars. Styled by Paul Bracq, the second generation of SL was released in 1963 and was instrumental in the success of the brands export expansion. The lean and compact car benefits from the brand's established inventive, mechanical, and opulent finish, with the added bonus of a 148BHP stright-six engine managed by a Bosch multi-port fuel injection. Designed to exhilarate the driver, it was also one of the first sports cars to consider safety aspects, with crumple zones and an interior to reflect passenger safety. The 230 SL was the original of the dynasty to be released and is preferred by some people to the later models.

With the benefit of a recent UK restoration, this 1966 LHD 230 SL has spent its much of life in Virginia in the US. Exquisitely finished would be a fair description of the quality of the work, with the all-important chrome detailing, interior and exterior finish carried out to a high standard.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Darren after meeting John the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

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Secure Auctions

We verify all our sellers and buyers to keep our community safe whilst also providing the highest levels of website security.

Full Transparency

8 out of 10 people that buy cars via our service don’t feel the need to visit due to the transparency and thoroughness of our listings.

Vehicle Delivery

We're there every step of your buying journey and will even arrange pick-up and delivery of your new vehicle.

Meet the owner

A safe bet to invest some money into, the restorers have not let me down on this car.

John is totally upfront with the motivation of buying the car and took it on as an investment project. Having taken the car on, it was passed to several New Forest specialists who have each completed their tasks beyond his expectations.

He has a loyal interest in SL's having two more recent generations of the model and rightfully assumed that the W113 would be something of a desirable commodity. He has used the car, to ensure the oily bits are eased into use, but it's now time for a new custodian to really enjoy the car and put it through its paces. John will be happy to answer any questions about the car in the comments section below.

John

Vehicle Owner

John saved £8,460* when they
sold their Mercedes with us.

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EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

Durable with a superb build quality, the car simply looks sensational from any angle.

Wheels and Tyres

The steel wheels are in good solid condition having been prepped and restored two years ago. The chrome embellishment shows no obvious signs of damage. The BF Goodrich tyres date from 2008 but are in good condition with plenty of life ahead of them.

Bodywork

The car has been subject to an extensive restoration only three years ago, and as a result the body structure, including the chassis rails, bulkheads, engine bay, inner wings and boot floor are solid. Please view the mechanical video section to inspect the underside of the car.

The restoration was carried out by Alan Fee, which included body panel repairs and paint. The doors open and close well, although the bonnet requires assistance to stay open. The panels are flush fitting, with decent panel gaps. The car is free from any dent damage, with no visible evidence of external corrosion observed, although the underside of the hardtop shows a few minor blemishes.

Paint

The paint finish is of a very high standard, the car has seen a bare metal respray with an underside application of stone chip protection for good measure. The lustre is good, with no evidence of flat spots, overspray or mismatched hues.

Glass and Trim

The chrome trim is in very good condition, with the tiniest sign of age but all have been well fitted and show no significant evidence of pitting or dents. Many of the US spec-specific trims parts have been replaced with Euro items. The glass is good throughout with no damage or distracting scratches. All panes have good seals. The door rubber is new with no evidence of water ingress in the cabin.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

Its versatility and practicality is enhanced by an exceptionally well-restored luxury interior.

Seats and Carpets

The seats have been subject to a complete overhaul, and the finishing and quality of the seats are almost beyond criticism. The smell of new leather fills the interior, adding to the visual treat to the cabin styling. The carpets are as new and have been well fitted, with the driver's side being fitted with a rubber mat, and a Mercedes-Benz branded carpet mat for the passenger side. The rear section is in good condition. The door cards are in good condition, with no signs of wear. Both the hardtop and soft top headlining are good with no damage.

Dashboard

The finish of the dashboard matches the appeal of the exterior, retaining its exquisite detailing. The condition of the leather and metal facia, topped off with chrome details are very good. All dials, controls and switches are in good condition and are all said to be functional. The veneer detailing has been well kept and is the final piece of an appealing looking package.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

The steering wheel retains its original patina, but is not excessively 'authentic' and still looks good. The wooden gear stick and chrome combination is delightful and in excellent condition.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

The spritely 150BHP engine is well up to the task of keeping up with modern traffic.

Engine and Gearbox

The car starts up immediately during the cold start, with no immediate issues with the running of the engine - no rumbling, misfiring or unwanted noises were noticed. The car ticks over nicely, reaching temperature with no issues although there was a little bit of smoke from the exhaust when running, as the car has been standing for a while. The gearbox is fully functional and engages drives with no issues. No leaks were observed.

Suspension and Brakes

The car stops well, with no issues or noise. There was no evidence of binding. The suspension is said to be in decent working order, with no significant issues reported.

The Drive

The car is said to drive well. The steering and running gear has seen attention during the car's restoration and is said to be in line with the condition of the car.

Electrics and Other

The car retains its US regulation seal-beam headlamps but has had the side marker lights removed. The car comes with its body-coloured hardtop but not the stand, which can be seen in a few of the photos. The soft top is in good condition, with no damage noted on the top of the canvas, although there is minor damage observed on the lower section of the back. The roof well is solid and dry, the rear locking mechanism to retain the upright canvas roof may need investigation.

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History and Paperwork

A beautifully restored Pagoda, the 230 SL might be the smallest of the engine options, but the rev happy nature and lightweight body means it's still more than capable of shifting quickly.

The car was sourced from Virginia in the US and believed to have been owned by a farmer prior to it being sold to an American classic car specialist. The car found its way into the UK and cleared through customs in 2016. The car spent a little time in Birmingham, before being taken on by the current owner, who with his siblings have formed an investment company and restored the car through it.

It comes with invoices supporting the restoration work, and is currently without an MOT, but please note due to the age of the car it is not legally required to have one.

We've actioned checks on; Seller ID, V5, HPi.

Key Details

Model230 SL (W113)
TransmissionAutomatic
Reg. Date1966
CC2,308
Mileage~59,144
ColourIvory
Interior ColourCream
Interior TrimLeather/Veneer
Chassis #11304212010460
Engine #127981-12-002152
RestoredYes
MOT ExemptYes
Road Tax ExemptYes
Former Keepers0 registered in UK
Tyre BrandBF Goodrich
Tyre Age2008
LHD or RHDLHD
VisitedYes
Sale TypePrivate
Owned2 Years
Key FeatureFully restored

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All Images

All Videos

Vehicle Sold

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This vehicle has now been sold - click 'I Want One' below to get notified when we consign a similar vehicle.

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Seller : John G Sale Date 31.07.2021

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Vehicle Location

Lyndhurst, Hampshire

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