Offered for sale is an absolutely gorgeous unrestored, entirely honest original and mechanically excellent European delivery left hand drive 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230SL with matching numbers. This car has got its original ceaselessly sophisticated white colour (DB 050) resprayed about 40 years ago and the finish is still very good. The interior consists of original black leather seats, door cards and dash cover in pristine patina and stunning new German square weaved carpets in contrasting tan. The car comes with both tops, a solid rust-free undercarriage and a strong original engine and transmission as well as firm brakes.

The body is excellent: straight and rust-free body with its original fenders and quarter panels (including the tell-tale factory spot welds and headlamp notches) and retaining correct and consistent panel fits and gaps throughout.

All major rubber seals are replaced, and an extra undercarriage and engine bay rust protection is applied for long lasting preservation of the body. This extra rust protection was applied by the Mercedes-Benz importer before first delivery in Switzerland. The car is equipped with a stainless steel exhaust system and pointless ignition for carefree ownership. If preferred, points may easily be re-installed.

The soft top was replaced in 2013 with a dark brown German canvas (including the original early 230SL chrome trim) and fits perfectly around the body.

Hardly ever used throughout the years, the optional coupé roof in matching white is immaculate with headlining and wood trim in excellent original condition. The hard top remains with its original spotless paint and chrome trim.

The colour-matched, hub capped wheels retain their chrome beauty rings. The rims are wrapped in correct 185/ 14 dimensioned new Vredestein Sprint Classic tyres with white walls fitted all around.

The 230SL model is equipped with a unique engine, the M127. II not found in any other Mercedes-Benz model. As example the exhaust manifolds are welded steel headers, instead of casted iron found on later M129 and M130 engines, thus delivering extra power and a sporty performance and note.

Sporting a sought-after factory 4-speed manual gearbox, and the rarely ordered power steering, this excellent Pagoda is in turnkey mechanical condition – an absolute joy from behind the wheel. Adding to that, this European version of 230 SL was originally equipped with the higher geared rear differential (3. 75:1) which in turn sports even lower, and more comfortable, RPMs at highway speeds compared to the US specified and automatic cars.

The engine starts effortlessly (even when warm – that is not always the case with W113 SLs) and idles consistently and the compression is strong and even across all cylinders, providing power sufficient for modern highway driving. She runs beautifully, has good power and torque. The car pulls strongly and smoothly through each of the gears through its original manual 4-speed gearbox. The car's road manners are exceptional, handling crisply and driving and braking straight and true.

The original interior panels are free of any significant wear or damage and showing only limited patina. The original leather seats show only negligible wear, a testament to the high level of quality that Mercedes was committed to in this car's era of production. The leather-covered dash is free of cracks, appointed with original wood trim that's in fantastic shape and housing an original dealer installed Blaupunkt Frankfurt radio.

The original steering wheel and the chromed horn ring are in perfect condition. All instruments, gauges, climate controls and the characteristic VDO clock are working properly and enlightened from the rear. Nothing is missing and everything is original or at factory specification.

As an early production number of the 230SL’s, this one has the rare vertical mounted spare tire in the solid and rust-free trunk, which also accommodate the original trunk carpet in very good condition.

The engine bay is highly detailed, clean and correct. The car is topped up with premium oils and fluids from Valvoline, Castrol and ATF. A new BOSCH battery is installed and is delivering power through a mains circuit breaker.

The undercarriage is in very good order, still protected by the original dealer rust protection. Brake lines, chassis rubber and shock absorbers front and rear are exchanged during later years. Chassis maintenance, such as filling grease points, are carried out regulary.

This car also comes with the entire documentation of original owner’s manual, service booklet (with several years of scheduled service verified), data card, spare parts booklet, Blaupunkt radio manual etc. are accompanying in the original pouch.

Vehicle History
The car was delivered new on April 29th 1964 from the Mercedes-Benz dealer in Zürich, Switzerland to a local businessman. In 1967 the car was registered in Solothurn, Switzerland, where it stayed until 1999. It was then sold to an enthusiast in The Netherlands who possessed it with great care until the owner passed away in 2012. The estate sold the car to a Dutch company that specialises in the restoration, preservation and sale of exclusive vintage cars who then exchanged the interior carpet, fitted a new soft top and made a complete engine check and tune-up, including brake renovation and exchange of four shock absorbers. In the beginning of 2014 the car was then sold to the current owner in Gothenburg, Sweden who has further carefully maintained and presented it with great appreciation at local and regional classic car shows, in addition to sunny weekend drives.

The current owner has been an active member of the International Pagoda SL Club, gaining and sharing knowledge and tips on web forum, visiting international club meets as well as joining events together with the Mercedes-Benz Club Sweden and a local historical automobile club.

This 230 SL is a beautiful driver that's sure to provide years of reliable use that will remain popular and collectable for years to come and upside, checking all of the right boxes for the savvy collector or the weekend enthusiast: cosmetically gorgeous, rare colour combination, rust-free undercarriage, original accident- and rust-free body (including the original spot-welded fenders), numbers matching mechanicals, strong original engine and desirable manual gearbox. Whether for the seasoned collector or the weekend enthusiast, this car deserves the serious consideration of anyone in the Pagoda market.

Summary
• European version, LHD
• White (DB 050)
• Dark brown soft top (new)
• Hard top
• Black leather
• Tan interior carpet (new)
• 4-speed manual gearbox
• Power steering
• Matching numbers – original engine, gearbox, rear axle etc.
• Unrestored, highly original
• Excellent condition, very well maintained
• Rust free
• Runs and drives excellent
• Extra equipment: Hard top stand, foldable wind deflector, car cover