Chassis No. 113.042.10.006566

Engine No. 127.981.10.005356

The 1963 Geneva Motor Show saw the debut of the Mercedes-Benz 230 SL (W 113), a model that aimed to replace both the 190 SL and the legendary 300 SL. Despite sharing some similarities with its predecessors, the 230 SL was a new concept, combining the performance of a sports car with the comfort of a GT.

It was the first Mercedes sports car with a reinforced passenger cell and deformation zones based on the safety principles of Béla Barényi. Its unique "Pagoda" roof, a distinctive design feature, offered improved structural rigidity, more accessibility through larger side windows, and better visibility. This innovative roof shape, though controversial, was a practical example of "form follows function."

This new model represented a perfect balance between the ruggedness of a roadster and the luxury of a boulevard cruiser, positioning the 230 SL as a comfortable, high-performance GT car. These aspects still ring true today, creating a truly usable classic, like the 1964 example on offer. Originally finished in White (050), the body was refinished under prior ownership in Red while still retaining its original 404 Black removable hardtop. Complete with a Black leather interior, this example boasts a sporting four-speed manual transmission. Serving as an attractive contrast to the Red painted dashboard, housing a Becker Mexico Cassette radio, the beautifully contrasting wood trim remains in untouched condition.

The handwritten notebook accompanying the car from the Academy of Art University Collection shows that on 4 August 2021, the car received a new fuel tank, filter, and a rebuilt fuel pump. Additionally, the car received new front brake calipers, which were upgraded from the original Girling type to Ate. New rear wheel cylinders were installed, in addition to a brake master cylinder, clutch master, and slave cylinders, before adjusting both pedals and bleeding the respective systems.

As presented, this 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL is a well-presented model with numerous original features. With its sporting red body, this Pagoda is ideally suited for touring, just as it was designed for when it was new.