If there is one classic car I always keep my eye on, it’s the beautiful Mercedes-Benz W113 roadster, known as the “Pagoda”.   

Last summer some friends lent me their 1965 230SL automatic as their garage was full! Whilst I eventually gave it back, let’s just say it was true summer romance and ever since then I have been smitten. 

First released at the Geneva motor show in 1963, the designers Paul Bracq and Bela Barenyi gave the car a concave hardtop, hence the “Pagoda” name. 

The W113 model had only six cylinder engines and was sold in 230SL, 250SL and 280SL configurations, each with a 4 speed automatic or 4 speed manual.  They generated 110kW, 110kW and 125kW respectively.  The 280SL could hit 100km/h in 10 seconds! 

It’s the 280SL configuration I like but they are extremely hard to find, especially in right-hand-drive configuration in New Zealand. Values of the SL Pagoda have been increasing rapidly, and for good reason; they are good looking, still useable as a daily driver and have impeccable build quality. 

A total of 48,912 were built between 1963 and 1971. Of these 19,831 were the 230SL model and almost 4752 of these went to the USA. The 280SL didn’t come on line to 1967 and saw 23,885 produced but half of these made their way to the US as well. The 250SL was only produced during 1965 to 1967 and just 5196 hit the roads. 

Very few made their way to New Zealand new, although more made their way to Australia. Some were imported into the country from the UK while left-hand-drive models have been imported in by enthusiasts. 

That said, few examples come up for sale in New Zealand. For some time now there have been no right-hand-drive 230SL or 280SL models for sale here in the used market. TradeMe occasionally lists a left-hand-drive example and at present, there is currently one 230SL and one 280SL listed. 

Australia, meanwhile, the Car Sales website has right-hand versions up for sale in all versions. There are eight 280SLs, four 250SLs and three 230SLs.  But you get what you pay for. And if you want a mint, low kilometres example, you could be paying NZ$250,000 or more, before shipping to NZ. 

This fully restored 280SL is at NZ$370,000 equivalent.

I bid on this four-speed manual once, in New Zealand, at Roy Savage’s second car classic auction and gave up quickly. It went for NZ$241,500.  And since February 2019, when this auction was on, I haven’t seen another example for sale here. 

If you want the ultimate SL, Hemmels in London can arrange that.  At close to NZ$600,000 you will get a fully restored example that will feel better than when it left the factor. One example is apparently nearing delivery in Australia. None have been ordered in New Zealand. See their website www.hemmels.com for inspiration.  

As we now go through a time of subdued spending, many of us passionate about Pagodas will only dream about this gorgeous car. Like art and perhaps gold, a good Pagoda is probably safer than having money in the bank!