Dream Auto of the Week - Pagoda by Mercedes

1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL - Pagoda

I started dreaming of this car as soon as I saw her on a lot in Connecticut. I just happened to be at a car wash with a buddy. I ventured into the dealer and made my offer. After a few hours of haggling with the salesperson, the deal was done. 

I shipped her down to Washington, DC and began enjoying every minute I could. A saturday drive through the mountains or a sunday afternoon brunch. 

This car drives like a dream and turns every head. I remember driving to Georgetown one sunny day, after a few hours of shopping, I returned to find a guy literally on the ground looking under the car with amazement. 

I could go nowhere without having long and interesting conversations with people about their memories of this car.

Now that I live in Las Vegas, my wife and I have more great weather to enjoy outings with each other.

My wife loves to dress for the occasion with matching white rimmed sunglasses and a big hat, resemblance or Jackie O.

W Prescott Lee - 02/01/2013

230 SL (1963–1967)- Article from Wikipedia

The 2,308 cc (2.3 L) M127.II inline-six engine with 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) and 196 N·m (145 lb·ft) torque was based on Mercedes-Benz' venerable M180 inline-six with four main bearings and mechanical Bosch multi-port fuel injection. Mercedes-Benz made a number of modifications to boost its power, including increasing displacement from 2,197 cc (2.2 L), and using a completely new cylinder head with a higher compression ratio (9.3 vs. 8.7), enlarged valves and a modified camshaft. A fuel injection pump with six plungers instead of two was fitted, which allowed placing the nozzles in the cylinder head and "shooting" the fuel through the intake manifold and open valves directly into the combustion chambers.^[6] An optional oil-water heat exchanger was also available.Production of the 230 SL commenced in June 1963 and ended on 5 January 1967. Its chassis was based on the W 111 sedan platform, with a reduced wheelbase by 30 cm (11.8 in), recirculating ball steering (with optional power steering), double wishbone front suspensionand an independent single-joint, low-pivot swing rear-axle with transverse compensator spring. The dual-circuit brake system had front disc brakes and power-assisted rear drum brakes.^[5] The 230 SL was offered with a 4-speed manual transmission, or an optional, very responsive fluid coupled (no torque converter) 4-speed automatic transmission, which was popular for US models. From May 1966, the ZFS5-20 5-speed manual transmission was available as an additional option, which was particularly popular in Italy. Of the 19,831 230 SLs produced, less than a quarter were sold in the US.

Mercedes-Benz Chief Engineer Rudolf Uhlenhaut, who was as competent behind the wheel as any racing driver, demonstrated the capabilities of the 230 SL on the tight three-quarter mile Annemasse Vétraz-Monthoux race track in 1963, where he put up a best lap time of 47.5 seconds vs. 47.3 seconds by Grand Prix driver Mike Parkes on his 3 liter V12 Ferrari 250 GT.^[7]

A brief chronology of the most notable changes made to the 230 SL:^[8]

• 10/1963: First 230 SL with automatic transmission.
• 09/1964: Spare tire well removed, tire mounted horizontally.
• 11/1964: Optional tinted/thermal glass and new soft-top with steel bows (distinguished by missing chrome trim on the outer trailing edge).^[9]
• 04/1964: US models with radio Becker Europa TR instead of Europa TG.
• 08/1965: Some harmonization with new W 108/W 109 sedans, incl. new floor panels, combined brake and clutch fluid reservoir, trunk light and interior changes. US models with hazard lights.
• 03/1966: Mounts for three-point seat belts added.
• 05/1966: Optional ZF 5-speed manual transmission; rare and now very desirable.

• Manufacturer	Mercedes-Benz
  Also called	Mercedes Pagoda
  Production	1963–1971 48,912 built[1]
  Assembly	Stuttgart Untertürkheim, Germany
  Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W198 Mercedes-Benz W121 BII
  Successor	Mercedes-Benz R107
  Class	sports car, GT
  Body style	2 door coupé 2-door roadster
  Layout	FR layout
  Platform	Mercedes-Benz W111
  Engine	2,308 cc (2.3 L) M127.II I6 2,496 cc (2.5 L) M129.II I6 2,778 cc (2.8 L) M130 I6
  Transmission	4-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual (ZF S5-20)
  Wheelbase	2,400 mm (94.5 in)
  Length	4,285 mm (168.7 in)
  Width	1,760 mm (69.3 in)
  Height	1,305 mm (51.4 in)
  Curb weight	1,300 kg (2,866 lb)
  Related	Mercedes-Benz W108 Mercedes-Benz W109 Mercedes-Benz W112
  Designer(s)	Paul Bracq Béla Barényi