Gateway Classic Cars Houston showroom is excited to offer this
gorgeous two owner Sky Blue 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230SL. The
Production of the 230 SL commenced in June 1963 and ended on 5
January 1967. Its chassis was based on the W 111 sedan platform,
with a reduced wheelbase by 30 cm (11.8 in), recirculating ball
steering (with optional power steering), double wishbone front
suspension and an independent single-joint, low-pivot swing
rear-axle with transverse compensator spring. The dual-circuit
brake system had front disc brakes and power-assisted rear drum
brakes. The 230 SL was offered with a 4-speed manual transmission,
or an optional, very responsive fluid coupled (no torque converter)
4-speed automatic transmission, which was popular for US models.
This 230SL has the sportier transmission - the 4-speed manual.
Ahead of the 4-speed manual transmission is a 2,308 cc (2.3 L)
inline six-cylinder engine. The 2.3L six was based on
Mercedes-Benz' venerable M180 inline six, which has four main
bearings and mechanical Bosch multi-port fuel injection.
Mercedes-Benz made several modifications to boost the 2.3L's power
vs. the 2.2L, including increasing displacement from 2,197 cc (2.2
L), and using a completely new cylinder head with a higher
compression ratio (9.3 vs. 8.7), enlarged valves and a modified
camshaft. A fuel injection pump with six plungers instead of two
was fitted, which allowed placing the nozzles in the cylinder head
and "shooting" the fuel through the intake manifold and open valves
directly into the combustion chambers. An optional oil-water heat
exchanger was also available. To demonstrate the 230's roadgoing
prowess, Mercedes-Benz Chief Engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut demonstrated
the capabilities of the 230 SL on the tight three-quarter mile
Annemasse Vetraz-Monthoux racetrack in 1963, where he put up a best
lap time of 47.5 seconds vs. 47.3 seconds by Grand Prix driver Mike
Parkes on his 3-liter V12 Ferrari 250 GT. This is the "Pagoda" SL
that drivers want! The original owner ordered this car in December
1963, and it was delivered in February 1964. The original owner
drove it weekly to Rice University (where he was a professor of
Spanish) from 1965 until 1986, when he put it in storage, where it
sat for 12 years. This car is believed to be a numbers matching
car. Before it went into storage, the transmission was rebuilt in
1984, with 71,287 miles showing on the odometer, and the engine was
rebult a few months later, with 74,032 miles indicated on the
odometer. Its current owner was a student at Rice when he first
encountered the car, and subsequently kept in touch with the
professor over the years. Finally, in 1998, it was purchased by its
current owner, with 83,240 miles on the odometer. He began
restoring it soon after acquiring it. He indicates that he has
records and receipts going back to 1972, when the odometer read
45,600 miles. Its Sky Blue paint gleams in the sun, and both the
soft top and hard top are in excellent condition, with the canvas
looking nearly new. Inside, the interior looks almost as good as it
did when it was brand new, because it has been completely restored
by a skilled artisan in Houston, TX, right down to the correct
horsehair in the seat pads. The leather seating surfaces feature
Mercedes' trademark perforations in the depressions between the
pads, offering enhanced occupant comfort due to better airflow
between bodies and seats. The wood trim looks great and exhibits no
cracking. The dash's stitching is uniform and tight, and it looks
mahvelous, dahling. This 230SL rides on P195/70R14 Michelins on its
hubcap-equipped steel wheels. Additional features and options on
this 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230SL for sale include AM/FM Radio, Leather
Seating, Power Brakes, Radial Tires, and Seat Belts. For more
information on this 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230SL for sale, to see all
the HD pictures and videos of it, copy the URL below, and see it at
this direct link: https://www.gatewayclassiccars.com/show/HOU/1934
. Alternatively, if you want to see it in person, come to our
Houston Showroom, located at 1910 Cypress Station Dr, Bldg 200,
Houston, TX 77090. You may also call the showroom at (832) 243-6220
or email us at
[email protected]
