Description

The 230 SL made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1963 and Mercedes-Benz Technical Director Prof. Fritz Nallinger said "It was our aim to create a very safe and fast sports car with high performance and despite its sporting characteristics, it provides a very high degree of comfort".
It was the first sports car with a "safety body" based on Bela Barényi's extensive work on vehicle safety. It had a rigid passenger cell and designated crumple zones with impact-absorbing front and rear sections built into the vehicle structure. Production of the 230 SL commenced in June 1963 and 19,831 were produced before it was replaced on 5th January 1967 with the 250 SL.

This original UK supplied RHD car was first registered in Worthing East Sussex on 10th November 1964 and is an all 'matching numbers' car. It is finished in its original factory specification of Horizon Blue with a fabulous Red MB Tex upholstery and Red carpets, matching period Seat Belts in Red with chrome buckles, a Blue Mohair Soft Top, factory Hard Top in Horizon Blue, rebuilt 2300cc Engine, 4 Speed Manual Gearbox, Power Assisted Steering, original Steel Wheels with chrome hub caps and chrome embelishers, a period looking 'Becker Mexico' Stereo with Sat Nav, Blue Tooth Telephone connection + iPod connection, a fully detailed Engine Bay and beautiful chrome fittings throughout and it has a Cobra Thatcham Cat 2 Immobiliser fitted.

This car has a full Service History from new with an enormous history file containing invoices for all repairs and servicing, a full summary of all the works carried out on the car over the years including dates and mileages, a full record of the cars ownership of 7 owners from new including letters from some of the owners and copies of all V5 registration certificates including the original log book issued in 1964, Mercedes Benz Car Club concours paperwork including a 'winning' Beer Tankard, almost all MOT Certificates from new, its original Mercedes Datacard and Drivers Handbooksand lots of old Tax Discs.

The history file also includes an LP Record by Peter Skellern from the 1981 BBC series 'Happy Endings' which featured this car on the album cover.

This really is beautifully restored car has stunning body and paintwork and chrome fittings and very important to some 'Pagoda' aficionado's, it retains the original wing fillets running from the headlamps unit through to the rear.

It has now covered 104,000 miles from new, but only 18,000 since the engine was rebuilt in 1999 and it is one of the best 230SL's that you will ever drive!

This is a very rare car in this colour scheme and it represents a very good investment that you can drive and enjoy!

Car on display @ our showrooms in Mortlake.