1965 Mercedes Benz Pagode 230SL, 4spd manual, both tops, Imported from Germany

1965 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Please see the details below for this relisted Pagode edition 230 SL.There have been daily calls on this car post-auction as a sign of it's demand and popularity for its very rare orient red color. It only made sense to re-list the car with a lower reserve and inform of pertinent details brought to our attention by those more informed than the owner about this vehicle in this current auction for an optimal sale.As you're aware, bidding in the last auction was spirited in the end at $40,000. At that time the 70+ year old senior owner had an optimistic reserve set at $46k in part for her 30-year emotional attachment to this car.For information purposes only, while several misc. receipts were saved over time, these were not carefully filed or otherwise stored as she so loved this car that she felt it would never be sold and as such placed no importance on keeping any "file" per se' on the car during her varied moves in her distinguished military career-------a mistake she now realizes in hindsight she had more carefully preserved. She does have all the invoices from the Fuel-injection rebuild and other maintenance-related work from 2015 totalling in excess of $23,000.00-----a sign of her devotion to this car. That said, should her documentation be discovered, she's happy to pass that onto the owner when/if found.Kindly review the details below and updated information for those seeking a top-notch example hopeful of a fair price for buyer and seller.Thank you in advance to the many bidders who make eBay a nice place to have a rare car listed for the world to rediscover.
Submitted for your consideration is this highly coveted '65 MB 230 SL Pagode imported from Germany by it's current retired military Owner. Dubbed "Mrs. Grace" for it's limited use literally for the proverbial "little old lady who only now drives it to church", this car has enjoyed faithful maintenance & restoration in recent years by its owner including pricey rebuilt Bosch fuel injection ($23k!).EXTERIOR:What few known flaws that exist are being listed in the spirit of transparency.Exterior & Accessory Hardtop have been repainted to it's original Orient Red in Germany.All exterior trim is complete, save for a decklid lock cylinder misplaced by restorer at the time. Frt Chrome Bumper exhibits minor rust bubbling starting to poke thru at left front corner. Does not detract greatly from its otherwise classic styling.Left Door has "waves" in paint evident and may require attention (see additional photo).No crash history in current female ownership.Good panel alignment throughout. Hood, doors and decklid operate as they should.No evidence of any rust on this German car. There is slight surface rust evident on the rear bodypanel where it rolls down the meet the underside floor, but this is minimal and should touch up seamlessly according to the concours restorer in this area.Paint could require some detailing, but is otherwise still vivid with good luster. Restorer indicated thatthe "orange-peel" effect of paint typified glasurit paint in the 60's and is correct, but could be "color -sanded and buffed" to a high luster if desired. Current paint quality is very good and period correct for its vintage.Since the last listing, it was pointed out that the left headlight lens is cracked. It's hard to discern in the photos and doesn't look bad on this car, but it is there none-the-less.New Vinyl Soft Top.
INTERIOR:Interior has been restored to its original condition including but not limited to Seats, Flooring Material, Door Cards and Leather Dashpad in correct cognac color for this vintage.Dash is beautifully appointed.Except for light soiling to flooring, interior will clean up very nicely.Accessory Hardtop Headliner had been replaced during restoration but exhibits some soiling from storage. The headliner has since beendetailed and looks acceptable. Restorer indicates that fora more concours-looking appearance it can be inexpensively color-coded with marhyde.For safety sake, owner added stock-appearing seatbelts that look correct for this vintage.
MECHANICALS:Vehicle starts every time seamlessly thanks in part to the pricey fully rebuilt Bosch fuel-injection system at one of the 2 premier outlets who specialize in this.All necessary maintenance has been included. No fluid leaks, unusual sounds, odors or symptoms present. Vehicle is a pleasure to drive and runs as it should.
GLASS:Windshield upper right corner is starting to exhibit some delamination with age. It does not detract greatly from appearance, but wanted to disclose as much.
UNDERCARRIAGE:Many expressed to us during the term of this auction that these were well known for having rust in the fender inner aprons, rails and firewall aspect. Those who have seen the car indicate that all the original body schutz(?) appears to be intact with no sign of corrosion. The decklid lock cylinder is missing and we could not open the decklid to check the trunk floor. Those who have seen the car indicated that for its solid condition throughout, its safe to assume this example is likely fine for the trunk floor area. We attempted to get photos from underside, but this area is precluded by the fuel tank.When asked the owner told me that when it was restored in Germany, she gave them the ok to do "whatever was necessary"---------which included paint, interior and top. As this was on a military base it was not exposed to the same weather element and for that reason seems to support its solid condition.There is no sign of rust/rot to the rocker areas and as such no restoration was needed in thos areas.
OTHER INFORMATION:With the assistance of several bidders, we were able to confirm this is a true numbers matching car.Everything that was on this car when purchased 30+ years ago is still on it. Owner has the original keys that came with the car and the "tool" that allows one to adjust the antenna on her keyring.This is the summary of how one party decoded the vehicle:573 G is burgundy red in color for the body
> 573 G burgundy red in color for the top and wheel hub caps
> G means paint was made by Glasurit Paint in Germany
> 6 means it was ordered with hard top and soft top
> second row
> 113 not 119 is the model number
> 042 means it is 230 sl
> 1 means left hand drive
> 0 means stick shift
> 2 means Germany delivery
> third row
> 00273 is production number
> I think the number might more correctly be 03802
You can see the original hood number is still stamped into the underside of the hood in the photos attached.
The owner has owned and loved this car the most. It's truly prized by her emotionally and a difficult sale. Alas with age, comes the wisdom that this car must now depart to its next home.
I've had all sorts of creative offers and suggestions about how to sell the car in other venues, but the work has been done here over the last 20 days or so to divulge all known available information.Of course being 53 years old it IS a used car and any bidder should consider as much. The needs are few, but a personal inspection is encouraged to reassure your intended purchase.The owner has no interest in all the different programs out there with escrow'd monies etc. for payment.A wire transfer, cash in hand, or ceritifed bank check from a national bank or locally recognized bank is required and expected. Please know this is only being stated to reassure you of her good will to sell thiscar. If you pay for it, you will get the car described above and a lien-free title to go with it.I should also note that for anyone who may buy the car will enjoy safe storage-free harbor until such time as the car can be picked up. The owner will agree to maintain her insurance on the vehicle until that time to assure its not subject to any unexpected peril.
These Pagode 230SL editions have become highly prized and continue to escalate in price and collectibility.Vehicle is now listed elsewhere and could sell at any time. Should that occur the auction will end.I've tried to be as up-front and clear to address the many inquiries about this vehicle. Anything that is unknown about it is just that--------unknown to the owner. Otherwise it would be disclosed here.Numerous translators have called from Germany to translate inquiries which is appreciated. Hopefully this updated information will clear up some of the mysteries for those inquiries.A signed buyers agreement will be required with the customary "As-is/where-is" language.Should you wish to see car in advance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly: Allard62@aol.com 615.979.3058
Thank you in advance for your time/attention to this auction.

• Make: Mercedes-Benz
• Model: SL-Class
• SubModel: 230SL
• Type: Convertible
• Year: 1965
• Mileage: 113,110
• VIN: 11304210012496
• Color: Orient Red
• Engine size: 2.3L Inline 6
• Number of cylinders: 2.3L Inline 6 Cylinder
• Fuel: Gasoline
• Transmission: Manual
• Drive type: RWD
• Interior color: Cognac Bisquite Hides
• Drive side: Left-hand drive
• Safety options: Added Seatbelts During Restoration
• Options: Convertible, Leather Seats
• Vehicle Title: Clear
Want to buy? Contact seller!