Vehicle Description
Motorcar Studio is pleased to offer this 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL
Pagoda, optioned from the factory with a rare 5-speed manual
transmission. We always appreciate cars with long-term ownership
history, and this example has been with the same owner, an Atlanta
physician, since 1976. He bought the car here locally from a U.S.
Army officer who imported it from Germany after having been
stationed there. This Pagoda retains its Euro instrumentation and
headlights; it was restored by Bud's Benz in the early 2000s and
saw a color-change repaint to the attractive dark blue metallic
shade seen in the photos (it was originally papyrus white with a
dark blue hard top). The body is very straight and the paint
quality is excellent (it has been garage kept for at least the last
two decades, and the finish still looks great).
The interior, finished in grey leather, shows some patina but is
still quite presentable - overall we would characterize this as a
good driver-quality example. Gauges are in nice condition, and all
instruments, lights and switches work as they should (instrument
and climate backlights are also working properly). Navy blue canvas
convertible top is newer, and both it and the removable hard top
are in good condition.
A factory data card confirms the 2.3 liter inline six is the
original, numbers-matching unit - the data card also confirms this
car was optioned from the factory with the very rare ZF 5-speed
manual transmission. This 230SL starts easily and runs and drives
well - and the 5-speed really transforms this car on the
highway.
The owner's office was inundated during the 2009 Chattahoochee
River flood; the original books and all records prior to that time
were destroyed. The car itself was located in his home garage on
higher ground and was spared from the flood (Atlanta is rather
hilly, and only low-lying areas in the immediate vicinity of the
river were affected). Complete service records since 2009, along
with an image of the factory data card, are included with the
sale.
This is a very nice driving Pagoda that has been well loved and
well maintained by the same owner for more than 40 years, and is
especially desirable given the ZF 5-speed manual transmission. For
more information about this 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL for sale at
Motorcar Studio in Atlanta, please call 404-692-5250.
