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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

£41,950

  • Mileage~4,191 On Clock
  • TransmissionAutomatic
  • Engine2.3L
  • LocationSolihull

SOLD

1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL (W113)

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Introduction

Glyn Parry
Vehicle Consigner & Photographer

Timeless elegance, fantastic handling and legendary Mercedes engineering made the 230SL Pagoda an instant hit with the public – 50 years on its popularity remains undiminished.

The Mercedes 230SL was first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1963 and it caused a sensation, both with the public and the motor industry. Combining stunning lines, outstanding comfort and excellent driving performance this Mercedes was the first sports car to have a rigid passenger cell and crumple zones front and rear.

Named after the concave roof design, the Pagoda has something of a cult following and owning one puts you in good company. Stirling Moss wrote to Mercedes racing director Alfred Neubauer to say “in all the years I have been driving, I cannot remember a car that I would have liked to own more”.

This California import is a stunning example of this iconic car. Finished in Havana Brown over a beautiful red leather interior and powered by Mercedes legendary 2.3L straight six - it’s beautiful, powerful, comfortable and safe – everything a Mercedes of this era should be. This car is coming to market from 5 year ownership and has been well looked after with a recent brake overhaul, new rear shocks and a new exhaust system. It comes with a period, contrast white hardtop too, should you be the type of owner who likes to use your classics all year round, and also features the optional extra rear seat.

This auction listing was written from information supplied by Glyn after meeting Stefan 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

When I first saw this 230 SL I had to have it – it looks great, it’s very original and people absolutely love it too.

Stefan has owned this car for about 5 years and imported it from the states in 2020. He tells us, “it’s a great example – there’s no rust, the chrome is in really good condition and the interior is superb”. He continues, “It’s had some paintwork done in the past and I’ve had the brakes overhauled, fitted new rear shock absorbers and replaced the grill – everything works exactly as it should and having owned the car for five years, I think it’s time for a new owner to enjoy it”.

Stefan will be happy to answer any questions about his car in the comments section below

Stefan
Vehicle Owner

Stefan saved £7,380* when they
sold their Mercedes with us.

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Exterior

A roofline reminiscent of far eastern temples and classic Mercedes lineage - few cars evoke the romance of luxury touring more than the Pagoda.

Wheels and Tyres

The body colour, 14-inch, pressed steel wheels and the white, Mercedes badged, hubcaps appear in really good condition. They are wearing Michelin 185/14 Radials which have good tread remaining.

Bodywork

The body work on this car presents beautifully. It stands straight, doors, bonnet and boot all open and close with precision and the shut lines look great. All a testament to Mercedes build quality. The lovely white hardtop is in great condition too while the hood is a little tired.

We have taken hi-resolution images and videos of the car for you to assess the condition of the bodywork for yourselves.

Paint

The Havana Brown paintwork (Code DB 408) looks absolutely superb with only very minor blemishes that we really had to search to find. The colour is even and consistent with a deep shine right across the car.

Again, please take time to review all the images and videos showing the paint from different angles and reflections, to assess the condition for yourselves.

Glass and Trim

Windscreen, side windows, mirrors and lenses all look good with no significant scratching, marks or chips. There are signs of very minor delamination on the bottom nearside corner of the front windscreen. Chrome looks great with only minor signs of ageing as you would expect from a car of this era. There is a (barely noticeable) indentation on the lower part of the nearside rear bumper.

Interior

Classic sixties luxury – with stunning red trim and classic instrument binnacle - this is a beautifully appointed cabin.

Seats and Carpets

The red seats are generally in good condition with only occasional wear to the piping and some small indentations in the leather - there's a few small repairs that have been done in the past and some small holes, but the covers and shape is ok. Door cards and handles are equally good. Overall, the interior presents really well.

You'll notice that this car comes with the option extra of a rear seat.

Dashboard

Beautiful period instrumentation looks wonderful. Dials are clear, glass is undamaged, and all switches, buttons and gauges appear in good shape. The dashtop appears in good condition too with no significant rips or tears.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

Lovely moulded steering wheel, centre boss and ring horn push all look in sound condition. The steering wheel is showing some cracking where the spokes meet the rim but overall, still looks great.

The chrome auto selector and gated housing appear in good condition.

Do check out the interior video and photographs to get a good look at this lovely interior.

Mechanics

Wonderfully engineered, 2.3L, straight six delivers 150bhp to the rear wheels through an, almost silent, 4 speed automatic gearbox – this is Mercedes craftsmanship after all.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine bay is tidy and shows no sign of leaks that we could see. On our Cold Start the engine fired up willingly from cold and settled down to a steady, even idle.

Oil pressure and temperature looked good, and emissions appeared clear. The car has had a new exhaust fitted as pictured from the underside.

Suspension and Brakes

Equipped with dual circuit brakes, front discs and power-assisted rear drum brakes the 230SL is more than equipped to stop when it needs to. Suspension is double wishbone at the front and independent swing rear-axle at the rear providing a smooth, comfortable and certain ride.

As mentioned previously the cars brake system has been recently overhauled along with new rear shocks installed.

The Drive

On our brief drive with Stephan, we found the car pulls strongly, moves smoothly through the automatic box and steers precisely.

There were no untoward knocks, rattles or bangs and, when the brakes were applied, the car stopped quickly with no pulling on either side. Stefan confirmed the brakes have been overhauled and new shock absorbers installed.

Electrics and Other

All switches, buttons and gauges appear in great condition. There is a period radio that looks absolutely superb, and Stefan confirms everything works exactly as it should.

History and Paperwork

An opportunity to own a sophisticated, elegant and eminently driveable classic – a steady market performer, we believe the SL230 will remain a sound investment.

The Pagoda represents 60’s automotive engineering at its best. Mercedes broke new ground with this car and set the tone for luxury sports cars at the time. A wake-up call for industry. Having lived most of its life in the sympathetic California climate this car is in great condition. It looks fantastic, it drives well and its ready to go.

There is limited history with the car, but receipts for a range of spares and a brake overhaul less than 12 moths ago and a new exhaust point to diligent and careful current ownership.

We’ve done all our usual seller checks including photo ID, V5 and actioned a HPi check on the vehicle.

We've summarised our own view on the car based on information gained from the seller in the listing above, however, and as you can see, we go to great lengths to photograph and video the car in hi-resolution detail - this has been done for you to make your own assessment from the comfort of your sofa. So please sit back, have a cuppa and take your time to review everything on this listing in order to make your own assessment on the vehicle's condition. Viewings are also welcomed with all our listings, so please get in touch with us to arrange a suitable time - we just need to speak to you first and receive a valid photo ID before confirming.

If there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bid/s, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - just like a traditional auction house.

Service History
Date Type Mileage
16.03.2021 MOT 4,110
11.02.2020 MOT 4,041
07.02.2019 MOT 3,951
Key Details
  • Model230 SL
  • TransmissionAutomatic
  • Reg. Date1966
  • CC2,308
  • Mileage~4,191 On Clock
  • HistoryLimited
  • ColourHavana Brown
  • Interior ColourRed
  • Chassis #11304212016847
  • MOTLast Expired 15.03.2022
  • MOT ExemptYes - Not Required
  • Road Tax ExemptYes
  • HPi ClearYes
  • Former KeepersNot Known
  • Tyre TreadGood
  • LHD or RHDLHD
  • VisitedYes
  • Sale TypePrivate
  • Owned5 Years
  • Key FeatureCondition
  • Auction ID453428







Vehicle Sold

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Ask Questions
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4 Comments
Dave67
Dave67
2 years ago

Hi it says you have owned the car for 5 years.but was imported from the states on 2020 ?

LeonMal69
LeonMal69
2 years ago

Hi
Are you posting more info and photos of the car?
Thanks
Leon

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Vehicle Location

Solihull

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