This extremely significant Mercedes-Benz 230 SL is the first example to be sold in North America. Built on July 3, 1963, it is the 24th car of the production line. An original Mercedes-Benz of Canada document confirms the first 23 examples were retained for the German market.

This Ivory White Roadster was delivered with a red leather interior and black hard and soft tops. It has the desirable four-speed manual transmission and a dealer-installed Blaupunkt AM radio. The concave hardtop led to the nickname “Pagoda,” and Paul Bracq’s crisp, timeless design remained unchanged through 1971, though the mechanicals saw consistent revisions.

It was used as a factory demonstrator in Canada by Mercedes-Benz representatives Kurt Newmann and Kurt Haase until June 8, 1964, when it was acquired by Rodney Touche, its first private owner. He owned the car until May 2, 1967, while its next owner retained the sprightly 230 SL for the next 21 years. Subsequent owners have each been aware of this car’s significance and have performed two restorations over the years, the most recent being a thorough, show-quality effort. An impressive file of documents records each owner, dates of transfer, and detailed restoration images.

This important Pagoda is finished in all its original colors and deserves a place in the world’s finest Mercedes-Benz collections.