1965 Mercedes-Benz W113 SL

This 1965 Mercedes-Benz 230SL is a European-market example that spent time in Spain and France before it was imported to the US in 2007 and subsequently acquired by the seller in 2010. The car was refinished in dark blue in 2014, and work in 2022 included replacing the cylinder head gasket, valve cover gasket, timing chain, valve stem seals, radiator hoses, thermostat, spark plugs, and brake master cylinder. Power is provided by a 2.3-liter inline-six paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Equipment includes a removable hardtop, 14″ steel wheels with painted hubcaps, a Becker Europa radio, a kinder seat, and a heater. This W113 SL is now offered with an owner’s manual, a vehicle data card, service records, a car cover, and a clean California title in the seller’s name. The W113 SL was designed by Friedrich Geiger, Béla Barényi, and Paul Bracq and was introduced to the public at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show. The seller reports that this example was refinished in Dark Blue (332) in 2014 following bodywork. The car is equipped with a removable hardtop, a retractable antenna, dual side mirrors, and European-specification headlights. The soft top was removed some time ago. Exterior blemishes shown in the gallery include a crack in the left rear taillight, a blemish on the left A-pillar, and scratches on the front bumper and around the car. Steel 14″ wheels wear hubcaps with painted centers and are mounted with 195/70 GT Radial Classiro tires. Braking is provided by power-assisted front discs and rear drums. The brake master cylinder was replaced in 2022. The cabin houses bucket seats upholstered in gray vinyl that extends to the door panels. Interior appointments include a rear kinder seat, a refurbished Becker Europa radio, an analog clock, a floor-mounted gear shifter, and a heater. The dashboard and portions of the headliner were reupholstered in 2014. There is wear on the driver’s heel pad, tears in the driver’s seat upholstery, and damage to the dashboard trim. The two-spoke steering wheel shows wear and features a chrome horn ring. Instrumentation includes a 220-km/h speedometer and a tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline as well as gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 30k kilometers (~18k miles), approximately 3k of which were added under current ownership. The 2.3-liter M127 inline-six was factory equipped with Bosch fuel injection and was rated at 148 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque when new. Service in 2022 included replacing the cylinder head gasket, valve cover gasket, timing chain, valve stem seals, radiator hoses, thermostat, and spark plugs. Power is routed to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. A leak at the rear differential is noted in a 2023 service record shown in the gallery. The shifter rod was replaced in 2018. Photos from the refurbishment are included in the gallery. The vehicle data card, owner’s manual, and service records will accompany the car. The car is currently registered as Planned Non-Operation. Filed under: pagoda, sl, w113