Pagoda sold for $542,204!

[Vander]

https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/28312/lot/116/1967-mercedes-benz-pagoda-m-sl-500-by-mechatronik-chassis-no-113042-10-019048/?fbclid=IwAR2SSR1puq1vtOHXkWiqB02DX4P6BMA7j7QzIf0vgqUgySwtI5kU2AQbu_E
Bonhams just sold a Mechatronik Pagoda.

Shows that restomods are the trend in the market, even with Mercedes-Benz. This brought a very strong result because the build was well thought out and planned, and stuck true to the Mercedes-Benz brand even though it was modified. Combined with the quality of the restored finishes, this Pagoda brought together the best of both worlds. Also Mechatronik has built a brand name in the industry.

[mgmoore]

Hi All,

Yes, Mechatronik are well known in the industry and their cars command top price. But exactly what model is it  Bonhams describes it as M-500sl, then Mechatronik badge it as a 280sl. Yet the donor car is a 230sl ?

[lreppond]

I totally agree that as restomod go this is top notch. 

Does anyone know where the spare wheel is stored? 

[lagolag]

I guess it has no spare, there might be a Tire repair kit in the trunk storagebag, as it is the way for most new cars today.

[john.mancini]

I guess I'm just too old to understand the rationale behind spending that kind of money on a restomod. It's happening to all car marques and people are buying them. I prefer original.

[MikeSimon]

John, I second your remarks. As some of you know, I own a Porsche 914-6GT (factory original) and I am sick and tired of the 914-4 "fake" sixes and GTs that are virtually flooding the market.

[Jimbo1907]

I suppose the person who can afford more than half a million dollars for a 113 based Mercedes hot rod doesn't wonder about value. I know Mechatronik does very good work, but I wish they would stop bastardizing these cars. The only thing worse than doing this to a 113 car is doing it to a 11, or, God forbid, a 300SL from the fifties. And both of those have been done.

All three series of cars drive perfectly well in their original conformation. Full disclosure- we installed a Getrag gearbox in my 280SL, but everything we did is completely reversible and we kept the original four-speed.

[JamesL]

I visited Mechatronik in about 2006. Certainly at that point they would keep/ give you your old drive-train and said they made no changes to the body/monocoque.