This 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL roadster has been in storage for some time, awaiting a restoration that never happened. The seller indicates that the longtime owner has health issues that will prevent him from beginning a restoration of the “Pagoda” so it will be sold as-is in non-running condition. These W113-chassis Mercedes are among the relatively few models that can still be obtained for a number below six-figures, but for how long? Find this example here on eBay with bids to $28,100 and no reserve.
Oftentimes when we find one of these in “as found” condition, it is in horribly rough shape. Rust is a killer on a W113 car that’s been left standing, so it’s fortunate that this one has been stored indoors. The location of Fort Pierce, Florida doesn’t guarantee it has no rust holes underneath, but it stands a better chance of being solid than one found in the Northeast. The color-matched hubcaps are hard top are good to see; the Pininfarina badge on the fenders is harder to unsee.
The interior looks far too fresh for a car that hasn’t seen much use, and the seller indicates the upholstery is “newer.” So, was this 230SL taken apart at some point and restored in phases, or was it a decent car that just needed some updating? I could see the latter being true, as the listing mentions a new soft top is included but doesn’t say much else that would indicate it was substantially rebuild at some point. The 230SL also sports the desirable European headlights.
The car is being sold by the son of the longtime owner, and he claims his father indicated it was a running example when parked in 1986. There is no indication the seller has attempted to get the sturdy inline-six to fire up once again, but that doesn’t seem to be impacting bidding activity. The 230SL is also equipped with the desirable European-style headlights, so there’s a lot to like here – but you’ll still need to assess the risk versus reward of a pricey project like this one.
This I assume is within a few minutes of me. I won’t be bidding but if any of you here on BF are, I might be able to go take a look at it. I am no MB expert but I can see rust if there is any to see.
No doubt that the screwed on sheet metal underneath should justify closer inspection. The paint also looks like it’s rather shoddily applied with overspray on trim that would have been simple to remove or properly mask.
Paul Bracq and the MB design team should feel aggrieved by the Pininfarina badging. One wonders what went through the head of the person who came up with the harebrained idea to put them on?
My strong suspicion is that it would take $150k to make this a $100k car.
Run Away from this one. As evidenced in the pics on the Bay listing there is a fair amount of cancer that will require a significant amount of work to make whole again and thats just the undersides. Lose the fake Pina Farina badging, and go through the motor. This car will be like owning a leaky wooden sailboat, you’ll always be doing something to it. No thanks.
Bidding has already surpassed what I would pay for it. Its in Florida so its going to have rust . personally I would drop in a Ford 4.6 engine and transmission then just enjoy it as a summer road car that’s more dependable and you can add a vacuum pump to run the other stuff
there is something wrong. pininfarina only designed one off 230 sl.this one does not look like it at all.
I know these cars very well having had one in my family for 50 years. After leaving ours parked for 20+ years it took me a solid month of orderly work to fire the old battleship back up. Once it was running again I had the interior and top replaced, cut the paint and took it to weekned car meetups and even on 1500 mile vacation trips with my wife. These cars are incredibly durable and quite easy to work on with great support from the W113 forums. And normal wear and tear parts aren’t even all that expensive. I think it cost me around $1500 in parts to get the car back on the road, $5000 for the interior and something like $3000 for the new top. Ours was a 4-speed manny car and I personally wouldn’t own one of these in auto form even though they do drive “okay” with the slushbox. Manny is just so much more engaging in these cars.
Some things to clarify. Floor shift looks like an automatic. Looks like an A/C compressor with an electric clutch on motor. The solenoid on fuel mixture during warmup looks like an add on.