1963 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL ‘Pagoda’ Factory Development Car
The debut of the W113 “Pagoda” in 1963 marked a turning point for Mercedes-Benz sports cars. Designed by Paul Bracq, its distinctive concave hardtop was more than a styling flourish; it added strength while giving the roadster its enduring nickname.
This factory development 230 SL sits at the very start of the model’s story. Built on a shortened W111 sedan chassis, it introduced cutting-edge safety features for its day, including crumple zones, a rigid passenger cell, and standard radial tires.
Under the hood, the 2.3-liter M127.II inline-six delivered 148 hp through a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes, with the rare ZF 5-speed appearing later in production. Light, agile, and capable of 124 mph, the 230 SL blended grand touring comfort with sports car precision.
Only 19,831 were built from 1963-1967, and fewer than a quarter reached U.S. shores. As a genuine factory development car, this example represents a rare piece of Mercedes-Benz history—linking the legendary 300 SL to a new era of accessible performance.
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