1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL

The car is being sold as part of a large private collection. It has been on static display for a number of years so, consequently, our assessment of it is made purely on the grounds of its appearance. 

It will require some recommissioning and is sold strictly as seen. 

The car, while located in Greece, may be subject to your local rate of import VAT.

This fine 230 SL is white with red MB-Tex interior trim. It was acquired for the collection at a UK auction in 2001, having been previously imported from the USA. 

This car really does present exceptionally well from every angle, and as far as we can tell, it is in very good condition – inside, outside and underneath.

The bodywork looks very straight and true from what we can see, and there are no scuffs, scrapes, dinks or dents of any significance in evidence.

The paintwork looks to be in very decent order, too.

The car’s wheels look fine, as does the chrome-work, which is mostly untroubled by any foxing or tarnishing.

The boot handle has a few spots on the chrome, plus a couple of marks and some blistering to the bodywork immediately beneath it.

The hard-top is following the same script in terms of condition and, aside from a few scuffs to the offside ‘C’ pillar and some cracks to the paint inside the roof guttering, it looks very good.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all in very decent order, as far as we can see. 

We can’t vouch for the presence or condition of a soft-top because we have not seen it.

The interiors of these magnificently over-engineered, very expensive cars are rarely less than exquisite, and this one is no exception – despite having a few issues to consider here and there.

The fact that is some way from concours and there are signs of wear and tear in places are, we think, good indicators of its originality and authenticity.

The red MB-Tex upholstery is a bit grubby and in need of some TLC, but apart from a hole in the driver’s seat squab and a small tear at the base of the backrest on the same seat, the seats themselves look to be in reasonable, and eminently repairable, condition.

The door cards are a little discoloured at the top and have a few scuffs and smudges in evidence elsewhere. 

We imagine some good proprietary cleaning products and a generous helping of elbow grease would go a long way towards restoring the vinyl trim to its former glory. 

The hardtop’s lining looks fine, from what we can see.

The red carpets, which we assume to be original, are a little faded and dulled by the passage of time. There are a couple of rips to the carpet covering the offside sill.

Having neither started nor driven the car, we can’t vouch for the efficacy of any controls, switches, gauges, dials or other mechanical or electrical systems and components.

The boot, which is lined with a rubber mat, contains a full-sized spare wheel.

The engine bay is dry, orderly and everything appears to be in its right and proper place. 

The collection staff have carried out a light recommissioning ahead of the car’s sale, with the work including: fuel pump replaced; fuel filter replaced; carburettors stripped and rebuilt; fuel tank removed, chemically cleaned, and refitted; coolant hoses replaced; new set of O-rings installed on the gear lever and a new battery fitted. 

We understand that there might be an issue with the O-ring/gear selection which will need addressing as part of another light recommissioning before returning the car to the road and regular use. 

The undersides of the car look reassuringly sound and solid. We’ve seen nothing to make us doubt the car’s structural integrity or character.

The seller has the old auction purchase invoice, and the car also comes with copies of its old State of Texas Certificate of Title; some expired MoT certificates; some old maintenance invoices; a list of works carried out in 2010; and an old UK V5 registration document (GNB 881D).

These cars hail from a golden age of Mercedes-Benz engineering, one in which their cars were built up to a standard, not down to a price.

We know from experience that properly sorted and fettled examples also drive exceptionally well, particularly when optioned with a manual gearbox, as is the case here.

Obviously, having neither started nor driven the car, we can’t vouch for its mechanical or dynamic abilities with any real certainty.

But, if the car proves as amenable to recommissioning as we think it will, this has all the underlying quality and originality to become one of the best examples out there.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of €60,000 - €80,000

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Athens, Greece. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.