Mercedes-Benz 230SL Pagoda

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A timeless beauty whose looks only improve with age, the Paul Braqc-designed Pagoda SL is also superbly well-built and is one of those rare classics that you can genuinely use every day.

Conceived as a replacement for both the glamorous (if underpowered) 190SL and the hugely complex and expensive 300SL Roadster, the W113 was launched in 1963 and remained in production until 1971. Beginning life with a 148bhp fuel-injected 2.3-litre straight-six, it was soon joined by a similarly powerful 2.5 in 1966 and by the range-topping 170bhp 2.8-litre in 1967.

All were capable of at least 120mph and had front disc brakes, double wishbone and coil spring front suspension with a coil-sprung swing axle at the rear. To save weight, doors, boot and bonnet were made of aluminium. A choice of manual or automatic transmission was available, both four-speed.

All looked identical with a low waistline, wide stance, fishbowl headlamps and big curved greenhouse windows topped with that distinctive dished removable hardtop – hence the 'Pagoda' name. A rare combination of dainty elegance and muscular strength, it remains at least as desirable today as it was at launch over half-a-century ago. Not just a pretty face, a 230SL was driven to victory in one of Europe’s toughest rallies, the Spa-Sophia-Liege in 1963.

This 230SL dates from 1967 and looks stunning with its gleaming white paintwork, sparkling chrome and spotless light tan interior complete with Becker Europa radio. It also appears rock solid – inside the boot, in the hood stowage compartment, underneath – it all looks good and you can even see the original spot welds on the flanges of the front wings when you pop the bonnet. It is supplied with a white hard top and a tan soft top, both in excellent condition.

As you can see, the original 2,306cc straight-six engine is long gone and in its place nestles a more compact 2.8 multi-port fuel-injected V6 (as used in the Chevrolet Camaro of the late-1980s) which is mated to a similarly modern 5-speed manual gearbox. The installation has been very professionally carried out and while it may offend the purist, there is no denying that it suits the car, offering similar power to the original engine but with better economy, less weight, a smoother gearchange and a more relaxed cruising gait.

As with most American imports, there is precious little history with the car other than a 2017 Certificate of Title from when it was resident in South Carolina. Imported to the UK late last year, it has now been UK registered as AHJ 266E and has a V5C. Being offered here at around half the price of a comparable car with the correct engine, this stunning Pagoda looks mighty tempting and will turn heads wherever it goes.