Vehicle Description
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the W113 230 SL Coupe/Roadster to the public
in 1963. A new car from the ground up, it replaced both for the
four-cylinder 190 SL and the exotic 300 SL roadster. Rather than
attempt to create a direct replacement for the costly 300 SL,
Mercedes-Benz chose to bridge the gap between the two outgoing
cars, creating a sophisticated, stylish sports-tourer built with
the exceptional quality Mercedes buyers expected. Designed in-house
by Paul Bracq, the handsome body styling was crisp and modern - a
drastic departure from the swoopy coke-bottle shape of the 190. One
of the most distinctive features was the removable hardtop's
concave roof panel that when viewed from the front, resembled the
form of a Japanese Pagoda - earning the car its famous nickname.
The Pagoda SL represented an entirely new philosophy for the SL
line which still defines the nameplate today. High on style and
practicality, yet with impeccable build quality and robust
performance, the SL walks the line between an all-out sports
roadster and relaxed grand tourer. In performance terms, the Pagoda
made a marked improvement over the outgoing 190 SL. Despite the
smooth and refined fuel-injected six-cylinder engines, they were
never really known for particularly storming performance. Output
ranged from approximately 150 horsepower to 170 horsepower for the
late cars. Despite having the compact, all-alloy 3.5 liter V8 at
their disposal, Mercedes was content to stick with the inline-six
throughout the entire production run. Buyers would have to wait for
the new R107 for the first ever V8 SL. Of course, that hasn't
stopped owners from seeking ways to squeeze more performance out of
the capable W113 chassis, with some much more successful than
others. At first glance, our featured 1967 230 SL appears to be a
sharp, nicely restored and well-presented standard car. However,
under the bonnet of this very special Pagoda lurks a surprise in
the form of a 5.0-liter Mercedes-Benz M117 V8 sourced from a
European-specification 1983 500 SEC. Carefully planned and
implemented over two years, this incredible conversion uses almost
all factory Mercedes-Benz components and hardware. This car was a
personal project of a Mercedes-Benz specialist, and the
transformation is carried out to a very high standard, with
virtually no detail overlooked. From the outside, one would be hard
pressed to see this as anything other than a standard SL. The
restored body is very attractive in the factory shade of bright
white (DB050), with matching hardtop and color-keyed wheels. The
paintwork is lovely, with straight body sides and properly-aligned
panels. Chrome and brightwork consists of a mix of restored and
very good original items, and the car rides on factory 14-inch
steel wheels with the correct early-style "dog dish" hub caps with
trim rings. Slightly larger-than-standard Michelin 195/75 R14
radials are about the only hint that this car may be more than what
it appears on the surface. The interior is pleasingly well-restored
to factory standards without as much as a hint of the car's
performance potential. Correct dark blue MB Tex upholstery is in
excellent order on the seats, door cards, and panels. The dash
features correct original instruments and a period-correct Becker
radio. Blue square-weave carpet and satin finish woodwork are all
standard SL items and in excellent condition. The factory-optional
under-dash A/C unit has been completely rebuilt and updated with
modern internals adapted to the original housing. This car includes
both the factory hard top in white and a soft top in dark blue
German canvas, both in excellent order. Even the trunk is properly
detailed with a correct rubber mat, factory jack, and tool roll. Of
course, the star of the show sits under the hood. The Mercedes-Benz
5-liter V8 looks right at home in the SL's engine bay;
exceptionally well detailed with silver powder-coated cam covers,
air cleaner, and other accessories. Before installation, the heads
were refurbished with new guides, valve stem seals, and more, and
installed with fresh factory gaskets and seals. The refresh also
included a new timing chain, chain tensioner, guide rails, and an
overhaul and reseal of the 4-speed automatic transmission. The
detailing is outstanding, with fresh cadmium plating, proper German
plumbing and factory-appropriate wiring. To handle the additional
heat from the V8, the cooling system features a custom aluminum
radiator and twin thermostatically-controlled electric fans.
Extensive use of OEM components ensures the car remains both
reliable and easily serviced. Timevalve Manufacturing of Melbourne,
Florida built the custom stainless steel exhaust system, which
exits in the stock location for a discreet appearance while
delivering a rich exhaust note. The chassis was also refreshed and
four-wheel disc brakes ensure there is plenty of stopping power in
reserve. Despite the extensive nature of this project and
significant gains in performance, this 230 SL has lost none of its
original charm. The qualities of the standard car remain, such as
the refined road manners and easy to drive nature, yet it packs an
extra 80-plus horsepower punch accompanied by an addictive yet
subtle V8 soundtrack. Beautifully built, turn-key, and ready to
enjoy on the road, this is a one-off opportunity to acquire what is
possibly the ultimate interpretation of the iconic Pagoda SL.
Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details please
view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6455-1967-mercedes-benz-230-sl-v8-roadster/