This 1965 Mercedes-Benz 230SL was acquired as a non-running project by the seller after being listed on BaT in November 2019, and a refurbishment carried out between 2020 and 2023 included a repaint, a re-trim of the interior, a mechanical refreshment, overhauls of the suspension and brakes, and the installation of a stainless-steel exhaust system, Michelin tires, a replacement soft top, and a Getrag five-speed manual transmission. The car is powered by a 2.3-liter inline-six and is finished in Light Ivory over blue leather upholstery. Equipment includes a blue convertible top, a removable hardtop, 14″ steel wheels with painted hubcaps, a Becker AM/FM radio, and a heater. This W113 SL is now offered with the owner’s manual, spare parts, a car show award, articles on the refurbishment work, and a clean California 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. Originally finished in Signal Red, this example was repainted Light Ivory by the prior owner and was refinished again under current ownership. A replacement blue soft top sourced from GAHH was installed at that time along with replacement rubber seals and chrome bumpers, while additional brightwork was re-chromed. A replacement windshield and Euro headlights were added by the prior owner.
Painted 14″ steel wheels wear chrome trim rings and hubcaps with body-color centers, and they are mounted with Michelin XAS tires measuring 195/70. Braking is provided by power-assisted front discs and rear drums, which were overhauled under current ownership. The front suspension is also said to have been rebuilt and Bilstein shocks were installed along with replacement rear suspension bushings.
The bucket seats, dash pad, door panels, rear panels, and armrests were reupholstered in blue leather during the refurbishment and the wood trim was refinished with a matte clear coat. A rear “kinder” jump seat and two-piece parcel shelf were installed along with a replacement loop carpet kit and sound deadening. A Becker AM/FM radio is fitted in the dash.
The two-spoke steering wheel features a chrome horn ring and frames a 140-mph 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 86k miles, approximately 4k of which were added by the seller, who notes that the gauges were cleaned and recalibrated under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.
The 2.3-liter M127 inline-six was factory equipped with Bosch fuel injection. Work during current ownership is said to have included installing a rebuilt injection pump along with a replacement water pump, fuel pump, alternator, starter, fuel injectors, coolant hoses, fuel lines, engine mounts, and seals. The radiator was re-cored, a stainless steel exhaust system was fitted, and the fuel system was refreshed with a rebuilt level sender and a replacement pump, filter, lines, and larger 280SL-spec tank.
A Getrag five-speed manual transmission was installed in place of the factory four-speed gearbox under current ownership. The seller states that the removed transmission is included in the sale.
Manufacturer’s literature, a car show award, and articles on the vehicle refurbishment, as well as spare and removed parts are included in the sale.
Decoding the data plate provides the following information:
- 224 – Trunk light
- 493 – Heavy-duty radiator for USA
- 508 – Left outside rearview mirror
- 515 – Becker AM/FM radio, USA
- 568 – Signal Red paint