1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL Pagoda

This is the original spec Pagoda SL, with the 2.3-litre straight six M127 engine. The single overhead cam straight six unit has an iron block, with an alloy crankcase and cylinder head, a combination that give massive strength without excess weight.

It’s an oversquare unit that loves to rev, and has a reputation as being almost impossible to wear out as long as it’s properly maintained. The mechanical fuel injection system is equally long lived and the injection pump itself is an exquisitely machined little alloy part that resembles a tiny six cylinder engine itself.

This car has the Mercedes four-speed automatic of the period, which is a much better bet than the manual gearbox – Merc didn’t make a decent one of those until many years after the W113 had stopped production (some would argue they’ve yet to).

The SL was designed as an all year round car and came with a soft top for summer use, and the distinctively shaped hard top that gives the model its Pagoda name. Both are included with this car.

Silver may well be a very popular colour for new cars in the UK but so is greige for living rooms – and I’m no fan of that either. But this is a Merc SL, and silver is perfect for it. It take the mind straight back to the pre WW2 Silver Arrow Grand Prix racers – technological tour de forces that, alongside Auto Union’s cars, swept aside other makers’ efforts with a level of mechanical ingenuity that is still stunning today.

This car looks lovely in it, and the paint is in generally excellent condition. The owner thinks it’s the original finish, so this car must have been very well looked after, and

in all probability garaged for most, if not all, of its life, as it’s a UK car, not one that’s enjoyed a more clement climate further south.

There is some rust apparent on the front panel at the car’s nose, in front of the bonnet, probably caused by moisture getting trapped between the panel and the large, chrome front grille – the grille itself is in lovely condition, as is all the other brightwork.

The problem is just beginning to be replicated where the front wings are met by the chrome surrounds of the tomb-style headlights, although it has only just started here, so the repair would be much easier.

The hardtop is in great condition, the soft top not quite as pristine, but still perfectly serviceable, with the odd mark here and there, plus some small tears in the material

This Pagoda’s interior is beautiful. Early cars such as this have body colour painted dashes, and they’re a lesson in elegant, understated cool. The seats are mostly excellent, with the exception of a small split along a seam om the driver’s side upright. Door cards and carpets are also good, although some of the wood has lost the fight with UV rays and its lacquer has gone, plus the speaker grille on the top of the dash has gone a bit curly.

But overall the interior is amazing, given the car’s unrestored status. Watch out for that gear selector by the way – Park is at the opposite end of the gate compared with most cars. Push the stick froward and jump out and your newly acquired SL could start rolling away.

A long, substantial alloy cam cover welcomes you as you open the bonnet, and the engine bay is very presentable, with no corroded alloy parts and the general feel of a well cared for car. All that really lets it down slightly, is the sound proofing felt towards the rear of the bay, which is starting to show its age and has begun to break up.

The engine itself is unlikely to need any major work – this straight six is one of the toughest units ever built by Merc in this period, and at this mileage you’d be very unlucky indeed if it needed anything more than regular maintenance.

The under-bonnet issues are cosmetic and no big deal, but underneath the car things get a little more worrisome, as there are rusted holes in both of the car’s sill panels that will need investigating and repairing, if its structural integrity is to be maintained – essential on a car with no roof.

Original service book full of stamps, and fully up to date. Original handbooks.

A stack of old MoT certificates going back to 1979.

A collection of old tax discs dating from 1985.

There is also a collection of bills, receipts and notes as follows:

1974. Mercedes Benz official service record at 48005 miles.

1974. Record of sale to second owner.

1988. Agreed value inspection by engineer. Valued at £15,000.

1994. New bus and brake hose – £21.

1994. Various new parts – £100.

1994. New hose – £15.

1996. Servicing and MoT work – £112.

1996. Hand written service notes with bills.

The owner says:

‘I bought the car in November 2018 as I simply fell in love with it. Its condition seemed ideal and as it is a matching numbers authentic and original example, I wanted to enjoy some fun motoring.

‘We enjoyed the first summer pottering around locally and planned a rally to northern France in the summer of 2020. But after Covid, my life changed and as I no longer have time for the car to be enjoyed as it should – on the open road in summer – it is time for someone else to love it.

‘I understand that there were two owners before me. Overall its condition would best be described as loved and used, with some patina expected of its age. It is a largely unmolested example.

‘To my knowledge, everything is standard, except the fuel-pump. We were unable to rebuild the original one and so we had to put a modern one in – it works like a dream. The original pump is with the car.

‘In terms of what makes it special, I think authentic would be the one word I would use to sum it up.’

This is a generally lovely SL that just needs some work on its underside to keep it that way. Low mileage and with likely only three owners from new, it represents an great opportunity to own an all time design classic that you can still use every day.

Our estimate for this car is £70,000 - £80,000.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.