Sexy roadster but without great sporting ambition, the 190 SL was outdated at the start of the 1960s. In addition to its too timid mechanics, its curves recalled the previous decade. So it was time for new blood! The model that succeeded it was the 230 SL in 1963, nicknamed W113 internally and… Pagoda by journalists! Why such a name ? Due to the concave shape of its magnificent hardtop!
A drawing… French!
It is to the talented Paul Bracq, a genius French designer, that we owe the simple and elegant design of the 230 SL. Paul Bracq avoided fashion effects and opted for a line of timeless classicism. Subtle and refined, the 230 SL also benefits from a neat interior with an irreproachable finish.
Sport ? Enough!
If the term “SL” stands for “Sport Leicht”, the 230 SL is neither sporty nor light… better than figuration: it drives 1,300 kg at almost 200 km/h and thunders in a metallic and angry voice when it is pushed to its limits! This brilliant mechanism is mated to a manual or automatic 4-speed gearbox.
Comfort? Certainly !
But it is especially in terms of comfort that this SL scores points, so much so that even today, many owners do not hesitate to use this icon of the 60s over long distances!
Evolutions
The 230 SL will become 250 SL in 1967 then quickly 280 SL. The latter is undoubtedly the most sought-following development: the engine rebored to 2.8 l then develops 170 horsepower. If the majority of the copies profit from an automatic box, some cars were equipped with the brilliant optional mechanical box 5 and developed by ZF.
Good to know
Today, the majority of the “Pagodas” have benefited from restoration. Be on your guard, however, and look for any signs of corrosion or “camouflage”. Also check the correct operation of the engine whose injection hates long periods of immobilization. Maintenance must be followed to the letter, an essential condition for the reliability of the model.
Good news: all the parts (or almost) are available and the specialists are not rare… All the same, plan a big envelope on the side because an intervention quickly costs a fortune, price of the parts obliges! Question prices, precisely, count between 80,000 and 150,000 euros depending on version and configuration. A 230 SL with automatic gearbox worth much less than a 280 SL equipped with the rare 5 manual gearbox and equipped with its hard-top. Quite a rating for a car produced in nearly 50,000 copies between 1963 and 1971! Finally, last point of attention, not all cars were delivered with a soft top!
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About the Author : Christiaens Jean-Francois
Jean-François Christiaens has been an automotive journalist since 2005. Passionate regarding everything that drives, he takes as much pleasure in discovering an electric car as driving in a hypercar. But his heart leans all the same rather towards the universe of the small bombinettes heiress of the GTI era. Although from now on, a good comfortable break would not leave him indifferent. Is that what getting old is?
