The car: 1964 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL
Price: $49,000
Location: Rochester, Pennsylvania, USA
Original Ad: Click here
The next time you stop by the water cooler, take a poll on what’s the greatest automobile of the 20th Century and it’s possible that more than one person will answer “Mercedes 300 SL ‘Gullwing’.” The original 1954 coupe was inspired by New York distributor Max Hoffman, who felt Americans would be interested in a street version of Merc’s ‘W194’ race car. It also was one of the first production vehicles to use fuel injection. The roadster replaced the Gullwing in 1957, but there also was a companion 190 SL roadster from 1955 to 1963.
The successor of the two, the 230 SL, slotted nicely in between. Debuting at the Geneva Motor Show 51 years ago, the ‘W113’ sports car came equipped with a fuel-injected 150hp 2.3L straight-six and very contemporary ‘pagoda’ roof, so named due to its slightly concave accessory hardtop. Shifting chores were handled by a four-speed manual or available four-speed automatic with fluid-coupling. By the end of its tenure in 1971, the model had been upgraded to the 280 SL and was then replaced by the less-sporting 350 SL.
This example on eBay is a western Pennsylvania-based 1964 230 SL that the seller claims is “in excellent, beautiful condition” and driven sparingly. The body has “absolutely no rust” and “there is [sic] no mechanical or body issues [and] the chrome is in excellent condition.” All suspension and brake components have been replaced, and even the minor details like rubber trim has been replaced where needed. Inside, the interior is “original but blemish-free with no old smell.” Best of all, this one has a four-speed manual, something rather uncommon on American versions. With only 4,752 US-spec 230 SLs produced, it’s somewhat of a rarity too. All this, plus “you can buy this beauty with total confidence to be a daily driver or just to drive for pleasure and cruises,” makes it just our type of collector car.
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Petrolicious makes no claim as to the accuracy of the information contained in the car’s original listing, nor will it be held responsible for any errors in said information. If you’re interested in this car, do your homework and research it extensively before you buy.
