Mercedes-Benz 230SL Pagoda Automatic

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A timeless beauty that will never go out of fashion, 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 150bhp 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 50 years 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.

First registered in October 1966, this 230SL Automatic is believed (but not warranted) to have had just two owners from new until earlier this year, the first of these being a Mrs Caspore-Portman of Dorset who was to keep it for 13 years (and who, according to information relayed to the vendor, was a member of the aristocratic family who have owned the Portman Estate in Central London since the 16th Century, although at the time of cataloguing we had not been able to substantiate this).

An older V5 and a green log book issued in 1973 show that a Mrs Nash of Stroud, Gloucestershire, acquired the car from Mrs Caspore-Portman in 1979 and kept it until earlier this year (the old V5 stating ‘one former keeper’). They also show that it was originally silver. Recently discovered languishing in storage, an old MOT and an online check would indicate that it was last taxed, tested and on the road in 1982.

The vendor states that: "Restoration apparently started about 30 years ago but then stalled and the car was put into storage. It seems that four new wings were fitted, new 'B' posts and other metalwork here and there. The rot free boot floor is nicely painted. The fuel tank has been removed, cleaned out and painted. The fuel pump has recently been removed, cleaned and got working and a new fuel filter fitted. The engine cooling system is watertight and appears never to have been drained with a good concentration of long term antifreeze. The gearbox oil appears full and clean and has not leaked. The sump oil appears clean and uncontaminated.

"The engine spins over readily on the starter and shows good oil pressure and compressions. I have had the engine running recently but had to stop it because the fuel pump was leaking. A new battery has recently been fitted. A rare set of 'new old stock' Irvin breast buckle seatbelts are included, plus a valuable spare fuel injector block. There is no windscreen with the car.”

Being offered here strictly ‘as seen’ and at no reserve, it comes with a current V5C, a copy of an older V5, a green log book from 1973 and an old MOT from 1982. With all Pagoda prices on a relentlessly upwards trajectory for several years now (especially in original RHD), this tantalising restoration project should amply reward the work now required to return it to the road.

PS: The vendor states that this car does have a soft top but the condition is unknown.