Mercedes-Benz 230 SL 'Pagoda', 1966
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class II (W113)
Mercedes-Benz SL-Class II (W113)•
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Chassis No.: 113042-10-016255
Engine No.: 127981-10-012747
€88,550 EUR | Sold
- Desirable early 230 SL with the manual gearbox
- Beautiful Graphitgrau over Caviar black interior
- Matching chassis, engine and gearbox
- Well maintained and mechanically sorted
This 230 SL 'Pagoda' has the manual transmission and power steering options and was delivered new to a Mercedez-Benz dealer in Fulda, West Germany in May 1966. The car's first private owner was Colonel Adrian St John II of the United States Army, who had recently been posted from Vietnam to command the 14th Armoured Cavalry Regiment stationed in the Fulda Gap near the border with East Germany. Two years later, in 1969, he was promoted to Brigadier General and returned to the USA, bringing the 230 SL with him to Texas where it spent the next 43 years in the Lone Star State's dry climate.
A Major General when he retired from Army service in 1977, Adrian St John II continued to serve his country as a diplomat and was commended by three Presidents for his outstanding efforts on behalf of world peace.
In 1985 the 230 SL was sold to the Texas Rangers baseball club manager, Bobby Valentine, a former professional player who has managed a succession of top clubs. A living legend known as 'Bobby V' or 'Big Daddy V', he kept the Mercedes-Benz for 16 years, selling it in 2001 to a Mr Payne, another Texas resident. The car was registered in Ohio when it was acquired by the immediately preceding owner in 2012. Brought to Holland, it was then completely restored by a marque specialist in 100% compliance with its Mercedes-Benz factory data card and is finished in correct Graphitgrau (Graphite Grey 190G) with MB-Tex Caviar Black interior and matching soft-top.
The body was stripped to bare metal, restored and repainted, and the engine completely overhauled. Prior to restoration the odometer displayed 87,000 miles. During restoration it was converted to metric and set to 20,000 kilometres.
The current vendor purchased the Mercedes in 2013 and had the car mechanically fully sorted at a cost of €10,777 in May 2014. Today, its older restoration is holding up very well; the paint still appears very bright and the Mercedes has been well maintained by its current owner, who has enjoyed the car for 10 years and commented that the 230 Pagoda drives excellent and is incredibly reliable. Bonhams had the opportunity to test drive the 230 SL over a short distance and can confirm it drives and handles exceptionally well and is a joy to drive.
The accompanying Datenkart copy shows that chassis '113042-10-016255' was delivered new in Graphite Grey (190) with a black interior and with engine number '127981-10-012747', which is still fitted today. The current owner's mechanic has confirmed that the number for the four-speed manual gearbox is matching too. Additional paperwork includes Belgian registration documents; a FIVA Identity Card; Belgian Contrôle Technique valid until September 2025; and invoices for work carried out between 2014 and 2022 totaling nearly €18,000.
The car also comes complete with tool kit, jack, spare wheel, Mercedes-Benz pouch, owner's handbook, driver's manual from 1966, and some 230SL promotional brochures from 1965 (used during restoration).
The Mercedes-Benz Pagoda in its purest form: EU-delivery (no overriders, reflectors etc.), early example (without headrests) equipped with the desirable manual gearbox, this superb Mercedes-Benz 230 SL 'Pagoda' is sure to appeal equally to both collectors and drivers.
Cost
376,562 AED
