1966 Mercedes W113 230 SL Pagoda - Born Again

I bought this 230SL from South Carolina in 2020, it had a wonderful documented file from when it was first bought in Germany by a Naval officer stationed there who then had it shipped to the US after he returned. Then onto Hawaii and back to the UK, the service documents everything that has happened over the past 60 years.

Over time it was painted red (1980's) but kept its original black interior.

I bought it as a signal red Pagoda and drove it for a while before deciding to restore it back to its original silver (Code 180) via a full restoration. I had been told driving this car should make any day feel like the best day of your life, this didn't do that as I could barely start it.

After taking the car to pieces it was both good and bad. The car was all all original including door panels, seats, engine, gearbox and chassis BUT the body was also in dire need of all quarter panels being replaced, boot and floor pans and also even a chassis leg. We also decided to rebuild the engine completely including the injection pump add all new suspension, fuel lines and wiring loom etc. All fresh chrome on the original parts and well, basically she will be a new car built on original artifacts.

Ready late 2026, early 2027.

Between the 230/ 250 & 280sl cars the 230 is often overlooked as the smaller of the 3 engines but this is the original design of the Pagoda and is the successor to both the 300sl and 190sl. In all but the engine its the same car and the 2. 3 still feels great to drive.

This car is like buying a car that has been put under a microscope and every part is being lovingly restored, in my opinion its the only way to own one if you are spending good money.

If you want to see what can lay underneath these cars look at the pictures of in red as it arrived and then the chassis after media blasting. That's what can happen after 60 years and allot of filler through the ages of neglect before their value climbed.

Any questions please ask.