1965 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL

• A classic 230 SL Pagoda Roadster, very nice car with a comprehensible and real patina
• Matching numbers
• Belgian example
• Brand new GTÜ valuation report from April 22, 2021 is available: Grade 1-
• Evaluated at 132.500 EUR (market valuation) and 156.000 EUR (incl. renovation costs valuation)
• 300 km since the complete engine overhaul
• All repairs were carried out exclusively with original Mercedes-Benz spare parts
• Invoices and photo documentation available
• Full-size Michelin whitewall tires
• Original jack, original operating instructions and the data card
• No signs of rust anywhere
• An original interior (MB-Tex black)
• Documents were checked by Auctomobile
• Other features: possibility of assisting with registration, transport, insurance, storage and Trusted Checkout payment
• Please note that this car will be available for viewing by prior appointment in Cologne, Germany

With production of both the 300SL and 190SL cars coming to an end in 1963, Mercedes-Benz needed a new car to carry the SL (Sehr Leicht, very light) torch. And while the previous cars immortalized the SL moniker, the 230SL was more a spiritual successor to those cars than a direct descendent.
Mercedes debuted the 230SL (designated W113 internally) at the Geneva Auto Show in March 1963, to great acclaim. Exterior styling was a departure for Mercedes, which had until that point relied on rounded, even bulbous curves to characterize its automobiles. But the 230SL bordered on square, pulled off through the use of clean, elegant lines, intelligent placement of the wheels in proportion to the rest of the design, and a tall, "pagoda" removable hard top that allowed for ease of ingress and egress.
Borrowed from the 220 series was its overhead-cam inline-6, now bored out to 2.3 liters. Bosch fuel injection was incorporated as well, and horsepower on the new sport tourer was rated at 170, a significant boost over the underpowered 190SL.
Cabin refinement set the 230SL apart from the competition, with acres of leather, plush, supportive seats, big, readable gauges, Blaupunkt radios, and a quality of craftsmanship throughout, including the soft top, which disappeared easily and unobtrusively when not in use.
The 230SL was an unqualified success, with sales topping even the best sales year for the 190SL. This was in some measure due to the car's genuine ability to perform. Top speed was rated at about 200 km/h, and handling was described as neutral, with light, balanced steering, even at the limit. And while they were not originally intended as competition cars, the sturdy, reliable 230 made a suitable and quite successful rally machine, including a famous win in the grueling Spa-Sofia-Liege Rally.
The 230SL would remain in production until early 1967, with nearly 20,000 models built, at which point it was succeeded first by the 250SL and then the 280SL. Ultimately, these “pagoda” SLs would become regarded as one of the finest cars to come from the Stuttgart firm, with timeless, graceful styling, spirited performance and handling, and build quality and reliability second to none.

According to the data card, this car was delivered to Belgium in January 1965 in the current color combination “white / black”. In 1985 the car reappeared in Germany, in Düren. Since 1985 by the current 4th owner. The existing documents, TÜV reports and invoices make the mileage of 175.000 km appear very realistic. There are no invoices for major repairs from this period either.
In the 1st quarter of 2021 an engine overhaul was carried out at a reading of 174,800 km:
6 original Mercedes pistons
used Camshaft repaired and re-stored
Timing chain renewed
Oil pump renewed
Piston pump renovated and new cone valves installed
Ignition including cold start valve were repaired
all injectors renewed
All invoices in the amount of € 25,000 and photo documentation are available.
In addition, the following work was carried out:
2014: Alternator renewed
2015: Engine mount, remote thermometer, cigarette lighter, shock absorber renewed
2017: Retrofitting of original Mercedes SL headrests with automatic seat belts
2018: Renewal of the door panels, new ignition coil, distributor repaired
2018: Installation of the Becker Europa II stereo with additional loudspeaker, which can be removed "without a trace" at any time
2019: Replacement of the servo steering gear
2019: Repair of the 4-speed manual transmission including clutch
2019: Heat exchanger renewed
2019: Repair of the rear axle
2021: Complete engine overhaul including stamp pump, ignition system
2021: Renewal of the rear brake pads (drum brake)

The car runs on full-size Michelin whitewall tires.
A spare wheel is available, as is the original jack.
The original operating instructions and the data card are available.
There are no signs of rust anywhere.
The interior (MB-Tex black) is original, the carpets were renewed.
The existing wind deflector was also installed.
Gaps and chrome parts are flawless.
The paint is no longer the first, the car was repainted in the original color.
It has been accident-free, since the car has been in the possession of the current seller.
All repairs were carried out with original spare parts.
The retrofitted headrests are also original Mercedes SLs
TÜV new on April 21st, 2021: Free of defects!
TÜV until 04/2023
The mileage is now 175.200 km, but since the car is still being driven, the mileage will increase moderately.
The car is registered with the German H-license plate, H = historical.

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