We purchased a 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL in the early 1980s. The car came out of Dekalb, Georgia, so it already had the prerequisite rust as typically found on these cars. Confined to trunk and under-seat sections, we were able to patch those areas, which was consistent with repairs performed on these cars back when they were $5-10k fun cars. No one really restored them, rather they enjoyed them as original examples. Wondrously simple, easy to use, and surprisingly serviceable, ours never failed to start. By 1985 my brother and I decided to spend a bit of money on it, refinishing the paint, redoing the leather interior, and reconditioning the wood trim. The trusty 230 SL served us well into the early 2000s when we finally sold it with more than 200k miles. These days, while those same desirable traits still apply, great examples of this series from 230-280 SL command six figure prices, and rightly so. Despite being more than half a century old, the overhead cam, light weight, nimble, and delightfully easy to use convertible still wins hearts across generations.
280 SL “Pagoda” (W 113) from 1968. Moving vehicle. Mercedes-Benz Classic Insight “Legend SL”, 2021.
With a history spanning a century of superb automotive craftsmanship, Mercedes-Benz continues today as a premier automobile innovator, delivering vehicles of superior performance and optimum luxury without compromising on safety or durability. During the 1950s, decades of racing achievement and luxury refinement served Mercedes-Benz quite well, especially as North American markets matured, extending the brand to new buyers, building on the successes of the 300 SL and 190 SL models.
