MERCEDES SL230 PAGODA, 1963

Chassis/Chassis #113.042-12-001044 - Fully restored - Interior partly original gray leather preserved - Automatic gearbox - One of the very first examples (number 1044 out of 19831) - Engine fully restored - Blue bodywork (Blue cod 387) - Fully restored - Interior partly original in gray leather preserved - Automatic gearbox - One of the very first examples (number 1044 out of 19831) - Fully restored engine - Blue body (Blue cod 387) In 1961 the top management of Mercedes Benz decided to produce a new spider. It had to meet three basic requirements: it had to be brilliant, comfortable and spacious. The design of the body was entrusted to Paul Bracq and Friedrich Geiger. Thus in 1963 the first version of the Pagoda was presented. The body was based on the shortened floorpan of the 220 SEb and featured taut but dynamic lines that also showed a certain racing flair. The hard top, which had a concave shape, earned it the nickname Pagoda. Particular attention was paid to the passengers' safety, for this reason the body of the car was deformed in case of violent impact, the interiors were fitted out in such a way as to eliminate any dangerous protrusion and the steering column was made in two sections to avoid possible damage to the chest. Seat belts were available on request and the braking system had a double circuit. The new roadster officially called 230SL, replaced the 300SL Roadster. The 230SL was externally characterized by taut but dynamic lines, which also highlighted a certain competitive ambition, then confirmed by the victory of Böhringer in the Spa-Sofia-Liegi Rally in which the house decided to participate always in 1963. The W111 retained a few traits from the saloons, such as the vertical headlights. The most unusual feature was the shape of the hardtop, where it was fitted, which had a concave shape, something that would give the 230SL and subsequent W113 models the nickname Pagoda. There were many examples equipped with a canvas soft top, whose owners had also requested a Hard-Top that could be mounted on the car when the top was closed in the housing. Although tied to classic mechanical schemes (rear-wheel drive, longitudinal front engine, mechanical 4-speed gearbox), the 230SL also presented some novelties in the mechanics. New was the 6-cylinder in-line M127 II engine fuel-injected with 2308 cm³ and 150 hp and new was the rear axle (with oscillating axle shafts). The gearbox was a 4-speed manual, but on request it was possible to have an automatic, also with 4 gears; from September 1965, those who wished could also opt for a 5-speed manual. The engine allowed to obtain good performance although, due to the geometry of the rear axle, the car was challenging on wet roads. The mixed braking system with power brakes was up to the task. Top speed was 200 kph. In 1966 the roadster version was joined by the Coupé Hard-top, with a hard top (which could however be removed) as standard and no canvas hood. The elimination of the hood mechanism made it possible to add two small rear seats. In the same year the Italian designer Pietro Frua created a Shooting-brake version of the 230SL, called SLX. Already in December 1966 the 230 SL was replaced by the 250 SL, identical in every way, except for the displacement (increased to 2494 cm³). Mechanically, the car also received rear disc brakes and a 4-speed manual gearbox was fitted as standard, which could be replaced on request by a 5-speed or 4-speed automatic. The magnificent example we are offering at auction was first registered in 1963. The car has been restored about 10 years ago in an almost complete way. The body has been repainted in its original color Blue (Code 387). The interior has been partly redone, the upholstery has been redone in blue while the seats and door panels have been preserved and are original. The engine has been completely restored overhauling all the mechanics, pumps, pipes and gaskets and also the electrical system has been totally restored. This car is part of a beautiful collection belonging to an Italian-American gentleman. The car will be auctioned at Milano AutoClassica 2021 in extraordinary condition. In 1961 the leaders of Mercedes Benz decided to produce a new spider. There were three basic requirements that it had to meet: it had to be bright, comfortable and spacious. The bodywork design was entrusted to Paul Bracq and Friedrich Geiger.