519 Light Red

[john.mancini]

Someone requested a photo of my recently purchased 1965 519 Light Red 230SL. My computer skills did not allow me to figure out how to upload it to the tech manual paint colors page. So, here it is. Even though it's called "Light Red", it's a bit darker than 568 Signal Red.

[DaveB]

Thanks John. How do you like/rate the 230 compared to your previous 280s? And manual compared to auto?

[john.mancini]

Dave, I've been lucky enough to have owned many different collector cars, at various times, over the years. Pagodas seem head and shoulders above any 60's production sports cars. Superior quality. Personally, I like the 4-speed cars. The 230SL's 4-speeds are wonderful to drive. Same with the 280SL 4-speeds. (I have never owned a 250SL.)

[DaveB]

Sounds like you'll have to find a 250 5-speed next.
The first time I encountered a pagoda my impression was 'mustang with sophistication'. I was in my late 20s so I must have already seen many pagodas but not registered them. Which I think means I was evolving! I bought a non-running RHD 250 4-speed, but chopped it up because I thought it was unrestorable. I later realised it had been eminently restorable. That was in my 30s (quite a slow evolution). It was only $1500 so not a financial problem but disappointing to me now.
I do wonder whether Ford took any cues for the mustang from the pagoda or whether they were developed completely independently?

[john.mancini]

Back in the day a new Pagoda cost 3 to 4 times what a new Mustang would have cost. The quality, the engineering, the craftsmanship and workmanship of MB was the reason. Mustangs didn't get an independent rear suspension until 2014 or 2015! I've owned a few early Mustangs and Shelby GT350's. Nice styling, fun cars, but like riding in a truck. Quality was lacking. At my age, the muscle cars are a thing of the past for me. Give me a Pagoda!

[Iconic]

John,
That might have been me suggesting that you put the 519 colored Pagoda into the Paint Codes area of the Tech Manual.
You can email  admin@sl113.org with your photo and he will upload it.
It is one of the few colors where we don't have a car picture to show the color.
I'm talking about here: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/PaintCodes
Take care !!
Mark

[john.mancini]

Thanks Mark.