Coys Auction
Ascot Racecourse,
Berkshire SL5 7JX
Saturday 2 October 2010 at 3pm
In March 1963 the 230SL made its debut at the Geneva Show, replacing the much acclaimed 190SL and 300SL models.
Like its 190SL predecessor, its mechanical elements were derived from a contemporary saloon, in this instance the popular 220SE model. The 230SL’s 2.3 litre engine was an enlarged version of its fuel injected six cylinder overhead camshaft unit and there was the option of automatic or manual transmission. Suspension was all independent with a low pivot swing axle at the rear.
Mercedes engineering integrity, together with elegance and practicality, made the pagoda top SL cars among the most distinctive designs of the era, in closed form offering handsome proportions and coupe-like comfort and with the hard top removed offering lively open-top performance. It is largely thanks to these attributes that they remain so universally popular today and command such a large market following.
With only four