This 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230SL was purchased by the current owner in 2017 and was subsequently converted to an electric vehicle by EV4U Custom Conversions in Shasta Lake, California. The Ford V8 installed during previous ownership was replaced with 48 LiFePO4 lithium iron phosphate batteries, dual Curtis 500-amp controllers, and an HPEVS AC dual motor paired with a five-speed manual transmission. The car is finished in white over a brown and red interior and features 14″ wheels, a removable body-color hardtop, progressive rate coil springs, a RetroSound stereo, a custom motor mount, an electric heating system, power brakes, and custom center-mounted gauges. This W113 EV is now offered with build records and a clean California title in the seller’s name.
The exterior is finished in white and features a removable body-color hardtop and chrome bumpers and trim. Paint chips, rust, and pitting are visible on multiple panels and trim, and the window seals are deteriorating. A J1772 charge port is mounted above the right rear section of the bumper and features a safety interlock system to prevent operation of the vehicle while charging.
14″ steel wheels fitted with chrome trim rings and hubcaps with body-color centers wear 205/75 Vitour Galaxy R1 whitewall tires. The seller notes progressive rate coil springs have been fitted.
The cabin features brown seats installed during current ownership, red door panels, black carpets, and a two-tone dash. Additional amenities include a RetroSound stereo, rear-mounted speakers, and manual crank windows. The seats are discolored, stained, and cracked, and the driver-side floor mat is torn. ElCon DC/DC 30-amp converters are fitted under a panel behind the seats.
Instrumentation consists of a 220-km/h speedometer, as well as a tachometer and gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature which are no longer connected. A center-mounted gauge panel displays motor rpm, motor temperature, controller temperature, voltage, and amperage. The five-digit odometer shows just over 81k kilometers (~50k miles), approximately 3k of which were added by the seller since the rebuild. True mileage is unknown.
The HPEVS AC-35×2 dual motor is rated at 165 horsepower and 189 lb-ft of torque and is connected to dual Curtis 1239E-8521 controllers and 48 LiFePO4 lithium iron phosphate batteries. Power is routed to the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission that is fitted to the AC motor using an adapter and coupler. Additional underhood components include a dual cooling system for the controllers, a safety interlock relay, auxiliary batteries, a main disconnect switch, and a vacuum pump.
The trunk batteries are accompanied by an ELCon PFC 5000 onboard charging system and a trickle charger for maintaining the 12V battery. The seller notes the rear differential is leaking and was recently filled with fluid.
The car is supplied with build records and an operator’s manual that details specifications, schematics, and system components.
