1963 230 SL - THIS CAR HAS BEEN SOLD EFFECTIVE 1/19/21

[Gmccarthy1]

1963 230 SL for sale by Owner

78,000 KM original miles, champagne color, soft top & hard top, car is under cover in my garage Charlotte, North Carolina
Price - $41,000 or reasonable offer

After decades of this car being in our family and many great memories, it’s time to part with our family heirloom. Since 1984, with the exception of 7 years, this car has been in our family for 29 years. All maintenance, repair & improvement records/invoices available for 29 years plus the 7 years when car was out of family.

Car Observations:

First a disclaimer. I am far from being car knowledgeable and probably not worthy of owning this car, so any observations noted below are consistent with a car novice.

From what I am told based on #’s on vehicle, this car is amongst the 1st 1,000 vehicles off the line (b/w 900 & 950)
In my estimation, the car drives and runs well

A casual passerby will not see any flaws, but there are a few nicks and scratches

Chrome bumpers are in good shape

Hard top is champagne color, original, in great shape, minimal usage, and kept under cover in garage

I am told most parts are original i.e. front & back lights, instrument panel, radio, etc.

Car does not have a manual

Repair/Improvement Highlights:

As expected, many components replaced over the years so listing below is not all inclusive. Recap of improvements that I believe to be relevant are as follows:

August 2019 - shifting/ clutch repair, replaced cold start injector, voltage regulator  and thermal switch (under my ownership)

June 2011 - replaced rear wheel cylinder assembly, replaced differential axle boot assembly, replaced cracked master oil reservoir (under my ownership)

October 2020 - installed new soft top cover / Stayfast Black (under my ownership)

August 1998 - reupholstered 2 front seats with OEM style leather cover, replace 2 backs & 2 cushions with horsehair, full carpet with OEM material (other owner)

March 1998 - replaced complete exhaust system from front header pipes to rear chrome pipes (other owner)

October 2000 - replaced left front and right front suspension mounts (other owner)

May 2001 - replaced master cylinder, replaced steering coupler and reset steering wheel (other owner)

If interested, please contact me by email.  Thanks, Gene

[MikeSimon]

If the color/paint is original, it is not champagne. Most likely Tunis Beige. Champagne was a later metallic color for R107/R129. Very similar to the Tunis/Sandy Beige colors for the W113.

[Gmccarthy1]

Thanks for your note Mike. I really don’t know if the paint color is original or not. It’s been this color since our family acquired the car in 1984. We’ve always referred to it as Champagne color.

[MikeSimon]

The data plate in the engine compartment should show the original color code.

[Gmccarthy1]

Hi Mike. I found the data plate and the only 3 digit code visible was 050. So, based on this number and according to the research I just did, it would appear the original color was white. Very interesting. Thank you.

[MikeSimon]

Yes. Upon taking a closer look at the picture of the interior, the instrument panel seems to be white.

[Macfly]

I sent email requesting your phone number. Very interesting for me as I am looking to find a manual shift and don't mind the color change. Interested in where the car was prior to 1984 and if you have kept it in NC since then. Very concerned about rust issues... please call me.
Thanks,
Greg

[Gmccarthy1]

Actually Mike, the instrument panel is not white. It is the same color as the car which in my opinion is champagne or Tunis beige as you would say.

[teahead]

Great price if no rust and runs good

[Gmccarthy1]

Thanks for your note teahead. It has a little bit of rust but the cars does run well.

[Dinoford]

Best price please contact me I’m interested 954-706-8090

[Garry]

Dinoford,


By any chance, are you a car dealer/trader. I notice every one of your posts is trying to buy a members car but without luck.


Garry

[Gmccarthy1]

Thanks Garry for keeping a close eye on the forum traffic regarding my car. Very much appreciated.

Gene

[Dinoford]

No sir just a private collector

[68_white]

Flippers call themselves collectors.

[Cees Klumper]

Haha, when we sold our BMW Z4 a month or so ago, the first person to show up, based on his questions to me I asked him if he was a car dealer. "No!" He replied "No, I am a collector! I just love special cars!".
He ended up buying the car within the hour and, for sure, he was a dealer (complete with website and everything).

[itsryglo]

Hi Gene, you have a beautiful 230sl. I am new to the sl113.org forum, but a long-time admirer of the w113 pagoda design aesthetic and build quality, and it's my dream to enjoy driving one myself someday. While I've admired the w113 from afar for decades, I've only recently started researching & searching for one to purchase. I am not a knowledgeable car person and very uneducated about the practical realities of owning a w113.

I would totally be interested in your car -- the price is in my range and I love the sand beige color -- but I am hoping for an automatic transmission to have a more comfortable daily driver. Plus I imagine you may have sold it already? So instead I am reaching out to you as an admirer and wishful future owner, in hopes of learning from another long-time owner about what it's like to actually own and maintain one of these beauties. I'm not looking to have a showroom car, but rather a car that is driven with care on a regular basis of about 25-100 miles per week.

Any advice you're able and willing to take the time to share with me would be hugely appreciated. For example, how often and far do you drive it? What type of maintenance/service does it need and how often? And if you're willing to disclose, how much has it cost to maintain/service on average per year over say the past 3-5 years?

Thank you for your time and words of wisdom.
Ryan

[Bagspacked]

Is this still for sale?

[Gmccarthy1]

Hello and thanks for your interest in my 1963 230 SL. I am finalizing the sale of my car this week. If something changes, I will let you and the forum know.

Gene McCarthy