55 Years ago ... The Star was born!

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

The Day; March 12, 1963
The Place; Geneva, Chateau des Eaux Vives (White Water Castle)

Two days before the start of the Geneva Salon 1963, the presentation of the Mercedes W113 for the press took place. Automotive journalists had the opportunity to to see first hand the newest creation of Mercedes Benz. At that time the car was given the name Pagoda.

After 55 years, the car is still doing well as many of you know too well.

Happy Birthday to the Pagoda

and happy Motoring to you All!

Dieter

"Shared here with you from a Facebook post by The Classic Mercedes-Benz and SL Appreciation Society"

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

4 more Photographs from March 12, 1963

[stickandrudderman]

Interesting to note the white sill panels!

[mbzse]

Interesting to note the white sill panels!

As noted in a number of previous postings, this vehicle is a very early pre production car. All Pagoda cars after that had the charcoal black sill panels.
Some discussion about pre-production SL Pagoda cars in this Forum thread:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=9675.msg63774#msg63774

The ubiquitous film Presentation of the W113 Pagoda (1963)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIuo82fubVA