1965 Mercedes-Benz SL Pagode

Documents: Belgian Certificat d'Immatriculation

Chassis No. 113.042.10.009193

Engine No. 127.981.10.007845

Codenamed W113, the Mercedes-Benz "Pagoda" made its debut as the 230 SL at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show, introducing a new era for the brand's SL line succeeding both the 190 SL and 300 SL Roadster. The new SL placed a strong emphasis on safety, comfort, and refined driving dynamics without sacrificing its sporting character. At its heart was a Bosch fuel-injected 2.3-liter six-cylinder engine producing 150 PS, paired with independent front suspension and servo-assisted front disc brakes. Styling played a significant role in the W113's wide-ranging appeal, with Paul Bracq, Béla Barényi, and Friedrich Geiger-the designer behind the famed 300 SL and 540 K-shaping its elegant yet purposeful design.

This example completed production in February 1965 and is one of the rare examples to be delivered new in Belgium in late March 1965. Its Data Card notes that it was specified in Havana Brown with a matching hard top over a matching leather interior, with a Brown folding soft top. It presents today in that same specification, following a 'last nut and bolt' professional restoration at no expense spared by its previous owner, a Belgian Mercedes-Benz specialist. The painstaking restoration took place from 2007 through 2021 as a passion project to craft the finest Pagoda for himself. The work speaks for itself, with an appraisal report from August 2023 which describes the car as fully restored to factory specification, noting almost no evidence of wear at the time of inspection and concluding "score 1: concours condition."

Today, this 230 SL is still powered by its original, matching-numbers engine and its matching-numbers four-speed manual transmission. Finished in Havana Brown over matching leather, a striking combination rarely seen on the model today, it stands as a beautifully restored example of Mercedes-Benz's most elegant mid-century roadster, with hardly any kilometers covered since its full restoration to concours level. For many collectors, a manual 230 SL, like this one, represents the purest expression of the W113 line. Its lighter and more agile character compared to the later 250 and 280 SL makes it a natural candidate for classic car rallies, and arguably the sportiest iteration of the Pagoda.