Vehicle Description
Mercedes-Benz has been producing an SL (Sport Leicht) model or
range of models since 1954 when the landmark 300 SL was unveiled.
The similarly styled, but mechanically unrelated, 190 followed in
1955, completing the first generation of cars. Their successor was
the W113 series SL which proved to be more comfortable than the
former and faster than the latter. Mercedes-Benz Chief Engineer
Rudolf Uhlenhaut, who was as competent behind the wheel as most
racing drivers, demonstrated the capabilities of the 230 SL on a
tight short race track near Montreux in 1963 where he put up a best
lap time of 47.5 seconds and, incidentally, out-performed Mike
Parkes in his Ferrari 250GT. This lefthand drive, manual 230 SL is
presented in lovely red coachwork with biscuit trim and has been
privately owned and loved by the current owner. Under his
stewardship, he has invested a not insignificant sum of money in
maintenance and upkeep to ensure this car is every bit as enjoyable
to drive as it is to admire. The recent work includes new front
dampers, antiroll bar rubbers, door rubbers, a new differential
with correct ratios, exhaust, rear bushes, rear wheel bearings and
a new spare tyre (still unused). He has also had a new battery
installed with new points, distributer, condenser, ignition leads,
spark plugs and a recent service with new fluids and filters. All
of this work combined with a car imported from dry state Arizona in
2014 makes for very good ingredients indeed. When first imported,
this example benefitted from a new hood and was re-rimmed. A
re-paint was carried out in the early 2000's whilst in America and
the car presents well today; the vendor states that the car is
ready to go with no known faults and even took the time to
photograph the underside of the car before Waxoiling for future
protection. All the lights, switches and dials appear to work as
they should with even the period Becker radio working which is
something of a rarity! Clearly cherished and with a vendor who
would 'happily drive it to France tomorrow', this is a Pagoda that
inspires confidence and comes complete with a folder of bills and
invoices from the aforementioned work, largely carried out by
classic car specialists Retrospective in Oxford and an MoT test
certificate until August 2018. A tempting proposition and highly
collectable. For sale by auction on Saturday 23 September 2017 with
Historics at Brooklands, Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit,
Weybridge, Surrey, Call 01753 639170
