1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL

The SL you see here is an example of the rarer 2.5-litre 250SL. Only available for one year, they account for 10% of W113 SL production with just 5,196 cars built. Being a factory right-hand-drive car, this one is even rarer.

Official figures are hard to pin down but anecdotal reports from MB UK are that around 12% of production (approx 624) were for right-hand-drive markets. Now, fewer than 200 are registered by the DVLA in the UK, either on the road or SORN.

The 250SL was first registered 20 Nov 1967 and the current owner, listed as its third keeper, took possession in May 1989 - almost 34 years ago.

In the mid-nineties, the car underwent various restorative works including interior repair and a top-end engine rebuild. But throughout the last few decades it has had money spent on it for repairs, servicing or genuine parts as and when required.

Having used the car (sparingly) as his daily, the owner is selling due to failing health.

This car was painted from the factory in two of Mercedes’ original but most basic of colours - 040 White on the body and 050 Black on the detachable hard top. The paint isn’t new - and has some micro-blistering on the top surfaces particularly at the rear - but the panel gaps are good and there is no significant damage evident around the car.

The black hard top roof has a few scratches on the upper corners but the original paint is sound and in reasonable condition. The perforated headlining on the underside carries a light patina but looks original.

The black folding roof is a rather different matter. It has certainly seen better days and although functionality would improve by replacing it, it could indeed be the original and worthy of an attempt at preservation. The fabric is faded and stained and the rear plastic window is badly creased. The underside of the canvas is also faded, discoloured or water-stained in a number of places, but the frame appears to be intact.

The inside of the roof stowage, under a metal tonneau, looks a little damp following the car being washed - which could mean that the seals need attention. The chrome trim and other brightwork is in reasonably good condition, with no obvious damage or serious pitting.

The SL sits on its original 14-inch steel wheels trimmed with chromed wheel covers and body-coloured hubcaps, which present in a good condition. All wheels - including the spare - are shod with Falken tyres fitted in 2015 which, having travelled fewer than 2000 miles, show good tread depth.

There is something of a patina to the upholstery; the leather seats are not only “lived in” - especially the driver’s side - but also look a little worn or faded, particularly on the perforated sections. The seam at the top of the driver seat back has split but there doesn’t appear to be any other significant damage. Elsewhere - such as the door cards - there are signs of mildew, suggesting that the car has been put away damp at some point.

The instrument panel is a combination of body coloured metal and chrome/aluminium trims, with no apparent damage to the surrounding vinyl. The instruments look to be matching but appear slightly fogged or condensated. There is a centrally mounted period-correct (possibly original) Blaupunkt radio - although we are unsure whether it is functioning.

What looks like the original large diameter two-spoke steering wheel with padded central boss and horn bar seems in good condition. There are also a few wooden fittings like a tray between the seats and wood veneered trim on the dash top.

The carpet linings on the transmission tunnel, inner sills and behind the seats look in decent condition - clean and intact.

Under the front-hinged bonnet - which itself appears in good order - the engine bay is in what we like to describe as an honest condition. By which we mean that all seems in order and functional, but it hasn’t been cleaned and detailed to hide anything untoward. We know from the invoices in the history file that it has been well-maintained but the only things that really stand out as newer than the rest are the radiator and one or two hoses.

The undersides of the car appear solid and undamaged, with an older but good coating of underseal across most surfaces. The relatively recent exhaust looks to be a stainless unit and appears in good condition.

Some years ago after suffering from rust in the fuel lines, the original fuel tank was replaced at some expense with a larger, custom made, aircraft-grade aluminium tank - along with a reserve fuel tank surface mounted in the boot, with pipework feeding into the main tank.

The boot also holds the full size spare wheel and tyre, along with a bottle jack, wheel brace and an indoor car cover. The remaining floor is carpeted and in good order and the underside of the boot lid shows very little in the way of rust and has a good paint covering.

This Pagoda has a current MOT valid until January 2024, which it passed clean, first time with no advisories.

The history file contains what looks like all its MOT certificates since 1989 (current ownership), when the car’s mileage was recorded as 5,001 miles. In the 33+ years since, fewer than 23,000 miles have been added as the odometer now reads 27,940. Given its age and condition, we expect this to mean it is approaching 128k miles.

The lack of miles driven each year by him hasn’t impacted the diligence to which the long-term owner has maintained the SL. The history file covers current ownership and contains numerous garage bills and parts invoices from local classic specialists and suppliers of genuine Mercedes-Benz parts. All of which suggests a car that has been mechanically well maintained over the past few decades regardless of cost per mile.

We also understand that a good deal more work was done on the car than there are invoices for.

On a sunny day, there can’t be much that comes close to cruising along in a W113 SL with the top down and your significant other - perhaps wearing sunglasses and headscarf à la Grace Kelly - humming along to a bit of Matt Monro.

Whenever a classic car has had such a long-term owner, more often than not it suggests a car that has been cherished and well maintained. This one is no exception, as the history file suggests.

The Pagoda SL is an immensely desirable car and like all SLs, prices vary wildly depending on the condition and specification. We’ve seen average asking prices that were previously holding steady, start to rise over the last few years.

This isn’t a show car by any means but it is a genuine RIGHT HAND DRIVE car with a good degree of originality and is an honest example of the rarest variant of Pagoda SLs. It starts instantly, runs reliably and appears very solid, and we think it will sell for between £45,000 and £55,000.

Anywhere in that range would likely be the cheapest way into a usable W113 SL and whilst there’s plenty of room for improvement to add value, nothing seems to require immediate attention so it can be enjoyed at the next owner’s leisure.

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’.