The 250SL Pagoda W113 was already in production by the time it was introduced at the 1967 Geneva Motor Show, and discontinued by January 1968. The short one-year production run before being replaced by the 280SL in January 1968 makes the 250SL the rarest of the W113 series cars. The new car retained the stiffer suspension and sportier feel of the early SLs, but provided improved agility with a new engine and rear disc brakes. Range also improved with an increased fuel tank capacity from 65 to 82-litres. The 250 SL was offered with a 4-speed automatic transmission or 4-speed or ZF 5-speed manual transmissions.

The preceeding model, the 190 SL, had been a huge hit in the Untied States, a pretty and nimble alternative to the bloated turn-pike cruisers so it's no surprise that over 90% of Pagodas were built in left-hand drive and destined for America, as was this 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL on August 4th 1967. Incredibly, the car’s original service book survives, we cannot stress enough the rarity of this, and notes that the car was first registered in Chicago, and first serviced by Knauz Continental Autos Inc., of Illinois at 867 miles on 28th November 1967. There are a further 13 service entries culminating in a final visit in 1976 at 51,906 miles, and presumably was off the road during the next three decades, was subsequently restored and next serviced in July 2012 at 58,125 miles.

The car was imported into the United Kingdom and registered on 13th August 2012 with the DVLA, to the first UK owner who enjoyed the little Pagoda for six years before our vendor purchased it. A long-time client of Silverstone Auctions, he had the intention of using it for a Continental tour before COVID restrictions came into place a year later. It's now presented to auction recently serviced, MOT'd and benefitting from fuel system works at a cost of £3,000 and the valve stem oil seals were also replaced. The history file is lovely and contains the aforementioned original service book, associated paperwork, V5C and recent MOT Certificate.