1964 Mercedes-Benz W113 SL

This 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230SL is a European-market example that was initially delivered in Germany, imported to the US in the mid-1970s, and purchased by the seller’s father in 1978. Its history since then has included several years in storage, repairing rust damage, replacing the floor pans, and repainting the body in factory Light Ivory as well as reupholstering the seats in brown vinyl, replacing the 2.3-liter inline-six’s engine block, and rebuilding the cylinder head. Additional equipment includes a four-speed manual transmission, a body-color removable Pagoda hardtop, a brown convertible top, power steering and brakes, 14″ steel wheels with painted hubcaps, and a heater. The car was acquired in 1995 by the seller, who reports work in 2023 that included changing the fluids, refinishing the wheels, and rebuilding the fuel pump and brakes in addition to replacing the fuel-sending unit, brake pads, tires, tie-rod ends, and sway-bar links. This W113 SL is now offered with owner’s manuals, service records, build card, and a clean Colorado 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. This example was factory-finished in Light Ivory (670) and was repainted in 1997 following rust remediation and replacement of the floor pans, rocker panels, and sections of the trunk. Additional exterior details include a color-matching removable hardtop as well as a brown soft top, a driver-side mirror, and European-specification headlights. The hood springs and hardware were replaced in 2023, and the seller notes missing trim on the hardtop. Close-up photos showing a broken antenna, delamination at the windshield corners, and chipped paint on the right-rear wheel arch and front corners of the hood are provided in the gallery below. Steel 14″ wheels with painted-center hubcaps were powder-coated in Light Ivory in 2023 and mounted with replacement 195/75 Hankook Kinergy ST thin-whitewall tires, and a matching spare is secured in the trunk. The power-assisted front disc and rear drum brakes were rebuilt with replacement hardware and front pads, and the tie-rod ends, sway-bar links, and associated bushings were also replaced. The seller states the shocks and rear suspension should be addressed to complete the restoration. The bucket seats were reupholstered in tan vinyl and are accompanied by a matching dashboard and door panels. Interior appointments include an analog clock, a floor-mounted gear shifter, and a heater. The wood-rim Nardi steering wheel frames 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 39k kilometers (~24k miles) and is believed to have rolled over, with approximately 17k kilometers added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown. The 2.3-liter M127 inline-six was factory equipped with Bosch fuel injection, and the cylinder head was rebuilt in 1988 before the discovery of a cracked engine block. Following a period of storage, the head was reinstalled along with a replacement short block in 1998. The fuel tank and injectors were replaced in 2011 and the fluids were changed in 2023, at which time the fuel pump was rebuilt and the fuel-sending unit was replaced. There is rust in the engine bay, and the seller recommends a tune-up as the engine does not idle properly once it reaches operating temperature. Power is routed to the rear wheels through a four-speed manual transmission. The seller states that there is a whine from first and reverse gears and notes corrosion on the exhaust pipes that should be repaired. Owner’s manuals will accompany the car along with workshop manuals and service receipts. Filed under: pagoda, sl, w113