Despite being a restoration project with rusty floors, this 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250SL still looks downright handsome sitting on its color-keyed steel wheels and OEM hubcaps. The Pagoda Benzes got super hot for a spell but have seemingly come back down to Earth, and while it still seems expensive by most standards, the $31,000 bid at the moment would buy this car as there is no reserve. The 250SL does run and drive, so you’re already ahead of the game having an example that is known to fire up under its own power. Find it here on eBay and located in Medina, Ohio.
It’s a shame this Mercedes has rusty floors as the overall presentation is that of a sound, solid car. For being in Ohio, we would actually expect far worse in terms of rusty fender arches and corrosion nibbling at the edges of every panel. The good news is that the 250SL looks quite tidy in other areas, such as the bumper chrome and the taillight lenses, which suggests that it was perhaps looked after for a while before the floors succumbed to the salt that covers Ohio roadways in the winter. The seller notes the trunk floor has surface rust but is solid.
The interior looks quite original and certainly usable as-is. Of course, given how these Pagodas are used these days primarily as investments, there’s little doubt it will be completely redone and put back to like-new condition. The seller the interior needs to be “redone” but doesn’t go into great detail; the soft top frame is present but the roof itself will also need to be reconstructed. Like most of these convertibles, it features an automatic transmission, though a manual was offered in fairly small numbers.
The seller claims the engine and transmission are both original to the car and that it starts up and “…runs good.” It’s a one-family owned example but no mention is made of any records coming with the car; the 250SL is a collector’s item especially with long-term ownership history but maintenance records and other paperwork demonstrating provenance is essential for a car like this. The W113 will always be a collector’s item but now may be a good time to get into one as prices have stabilized a bit.
the writer suggests that prices are stable with the 113s. I suggest that given the huge production numbers, and the abundance of good examples, that the prices are part of the “bubble” and that they will adjust much further south. I have owned 12 mercedes, 2 113s, and I worked for mercedes. I know the marque pretty well, bought my first one at age 20. I think they are grossly overpriced and I remember the bubble of 89. coming back I suspect.