Lot Ended
Description
1964 Mercedes-Benz 230SL Pagoda
AMENDMENT;
Believed two American owners from new; manual gearbox; LHD; a really lovely
example of this blue chip classic
As is typical with American imports, this lovely 1964
Mercedes 230SL comes with no history to speak of but we are told that it had
just one owner from new until 1984. It was then acquired by a Mr Richardson of
Portland, Oregon, from local dealership Don Rasmussen Co. as a 20th
wedding anniversary present for his wife who was to keep it for the next 35
years. A fitting gift as the Mercedes was also 20 years old and she had always
wanted a white Pagoda convertible.
We are further told that the car was only used in the
summer months and was kept in a heated garage during the winter – hence the good
state of preservation today. The cognoscenti among you will already have spotted
the dimples in the front wings where they meet the headlamps, a sure sign that
they are factory original panels. We are also told that the car did have a
comprehensive history file which has sadly gone missing between it leaving
the Richardsons and arriving in the UK.
Finished in gleaming white with a lovely red leather
interior (plus rear occasional seat), the car presents very well indeed, the
only real defect we noted being the wooden dash trim strip below the windscreen
which could do with sanding down and refinishing. We are told that the soft top
is present and in serviceable condition although the back window is somewhat
yellowed and cloudy. Starting promptly and driving nicely as we moved it around
for these photos, it is a most impressive-looking car all round.
Imported to the UK earlier this year, it has not yet been
registered here but comes with a US Certificate of Title and a NOVA reference
showing that all duties have been paid so getting a V5C will be straightforward
using the requisite DVLA form.
We are told that the Richardsons will be following the
sale with interest and would be happy to correspond with the new owner if
desired.
AMENDMENT: We have just added some photos of the soft top to
the website and it will need replacing. We also have the datacard for the car
and can confirm that it retains its original engine.
For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or
email james.dennison@brightwells.com
MODEL HISTORY
Conceived as a replacement for both the glamorous (if
underpowered) 190SL and the hugely complex and expensive 300SL Roadster, the
W113 was launched in 1963 and remained in production until 1971. Beginning life
with a 148bhp fuel-injected 2.3-litre straight-six, it was soon joined by a
similarly powerful 2.5 in 1966 and by the range-topping 170bhp 2.8-litre in
1967.
All were capable of at least 120mph and had front disc
brakes, double wishbone and coil spring front suspension with a coil-sprung
swing axle at the rear. To save weight, doors, boot and bonnet were made of
aluminium. A choice of manual or automatic transmission was available, both
four-speed.
All looked identical with a low waistline, wide stance,
fishbowl headlamps and big curved greenhouse windows topped with that
distinctive dished removable hardtop – hence the 'Pagoda' name. A rare
combination of dainty elegance and muscular strength, it remains at least as
desirable today as it was at launch over half-a-century ago. Not just a pretty
face, a 230SL was driven to victory in one of Europe’s toughest rallies, the
Spa-Sophia-Liege in 1963.
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