MERCEDES - 230 SL Pagode Lot n° 12

When design serves engineering The model We don't usually give priority to the roof of a car, but in this case, it's crucial to understanding its name. Although it belongs to the SL family, for Sport Leicht, it's better known as the Mercedes Pagoda. This proves the extent to which Paul Bracq's ingenious pencil strokes were decisive for this model. The successor to the 300SL and 190SL seemed a perilous and complex task. The French designer succeeded with his unique roof design, which, incidentally, was made possible by a patent filed in the USA in 1965 for a motor vehicle with a concave roof. This is the so-called Berenyi patent, named after the Director of Mercedes' Project Office. For reasons of rigidity, the optimum measurement of the car's concavity was set at 10 cm, hence the shape. CQFD Beyond the bold styling it allows, it also guarantees exceptional luminosity, with the cabin offering passengers unrivalled visibility thanks to the 6 cm extra height of the roof. The SL was presented at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show. It caused a sensation, to say the least, not least because of its very high level of safety - a first for a sports car at the time. From a technical point of view, the new SL was based on the W108 sedan. It features the same powertrains, running gear and numerous other components. The Pagoda was offered in 2 versions, coupé and cabriolet. It should be pointed out that the coupé had a hard-top and could therefore be transformed into a cabriolet without a soft-top, while the cabriolet version had a soft-top that was housed in a space provided for this purpose. At the end of 1966, the 250 SL replaced the 230 SL and offered the option of a coupé roof and rear bench seat. This "California" version had neither a roadster soft-top nor a soft-top compartment to make room for the rear bench. During its 8 years of production, this model was powered by three different engines. All were 6-cylinder engines, available in 2.3l, 2.5l and 2.8l versions, with power ratings ranging from 150 to 170 hp. Transmission options included a 4 or 5-speed manual gearbox, or a 4-speed automatic gearbox. The model This is a 1965 Mercedes 230 SL Pagode with 86,077 km on the 5-digit odometer. It has belonged to the same owner since 2006. The vehicle's identification complies with the manufacturer's plate. The vehicle is in very good condition, inside and out. On visual inspection, the specialist finds no major bodywork defects, and confirms its good condition. In fact, the owner completely repainted the vehicle 3 years ago. Inside, the vehicle shows only a few defects due to age and normal use. The steering wheel shows normal wear and tear, and the brown carpets on the floor are a little worn. The upholstery and door trim are in good condition and look very good. The soft-top was replaced a short time ago, but the specialist points to two small snags visible on request. The owner also owns the hard-top. As for the underbody, the protective layer is still present and shows superficial traces of rust. Visually, the mechanical structure is in very good condition and does not appear to show any traces of perforating rust. The specialist indicates only superficial corrosion on the exhaust. During the inspection, the specialist indicates that the engine has been replaced, its number being *153624*. The vehicle is sold with the maintenance booklet, maintenance and renovation invoices, and its French registration document.