The thread "Taking Stock of the Pagoda SL Group" reminds me that there are still two missing investigations about the W113 itself: What exactly was Daimler-Benz building, and how many of them have survived?
On the first point (especially with data cards available), do we know how many of the 48,912 Pagodas were automatics/4-speeds/5-speeds, how many were built in each color, how many were MB-Tex/leather, whitewall/blackwall, power/unassisted steering and brakes, where they were delivered, etc.? Filling in the blanks sounds like a Germanic task on several levels, but the information could be valuable in understanding both the make-up of the Pagoda and its evolution. And this website is the ideal place to organize and present the information.
Second, I wonder if it's time to find out just how many Pagodas are still out there. With deputized enthusiasts and an easy way to report the basics (VIN, color, condition and location on the many 'undocumented' 113s we see regularly), it could soon be possible to estimate a total of extant Pagodas. It seems the information would add a perspective value to every SL that's out there: existing or found, restored or original, running or a basket case. And, once again, this website could facilitate the effort.
Comments?
Bill Greffin
#22375
Chicago
