The W113 Mercedes-Benz is one of the prettier convertibles the company has made, and after years of living in the shadow of the 300SL roadster, it has finally emerged as a very collectible classic. This example is desirable for a few specific reasons beyond it being a viable restoration project. It also happens to be a rare four-speed manual transmission example and has the desirable rear jump seats, two features that are hardly easy to find in a classic Pagoda. Though it has sat for the last few years and currently doesn’t run, the overall condition suggests it is an excellent foundation for restoration. Find it here on Barn Finds Classifieds and check out the online estate auction to register to bid.

The 250SL was a one-year-only model, featuring a 170 horsepower inline-six. Mercedes would move onto the 280SL the following model year, making the 250SL a “tweener” model with more horsepower than the 230SL but likely a touch lighter than the 280SL. It makes for an interesting entry into rare Mercedes ownership but without the typical price tag you’d associate with a limited-production classic Mercedes offering. The seller notes in his listing that just over 5,000 250SLs were sold, so it legitimately is a model produced in very small batches. The bodywork looks decent around the front and back, and the chrome finish still presents well. There is rust underneath the car but it doesn’t appear to be past the point of being a reasonable repair.

Despite being a non-runner, the Mercedes still appears to be in good overall condition, with clean carpets, rip-free black leather seats, and a very nice dash complete with haze-free gauges and wood trim that looks decent enough to use as-is (though, if this Pagoda is purchased by a restoration shop or an owner who wants it restored, all of those original details will likely be stripped down and redone or refinished.) The manual gearbox is a rarity for sure, and while it’s not as rare or desirable as the five-speed ‘box, a three-pedal Pagoda of any configuration is generally sought after. Speaking of optional equipment, this 250SL is equipped with the rare “Kinder Seat”, which is another way of saying “jump seats” behind the front buckets.

Under-body photos show some corrosion, and the seller notes that the last owner purchased the 250SL in 1999. It was apparently driven up until 2003 and also kept garage-stored until that point; I’m guessing this means it was moved to outdoor storage sometime thereafter. The Sahara Beige paint still looks to be in good order from a distance; it may be more tired up close. The Pagoda comes with its factory hardtop. With the generous list of options and equipment, including the kinder seat and the manual gearbox, and the one-year-only configuration, this 250SL appears to be a desirable example in a variety of ways.