How rare is this car?

[tesandori]

I just bought a 230 SL 1967 which a has a third seat, hard tp and soft top and an automatic gear?  It has a black leather interior with somehow tacky design on the leather.  I guess it came from New Jersey.

sarino

[J. Huber]

Hey Sarino. Welcome to the Pagoda World. I guess it depends on what one defines as rare. On some level, all the Pagodas are rare -- as only about 50,000 were built. Of these, less than 20,000 were 230SLs. Of these, only 100 were "built" in 1967 -- although a number of cars built in 1966, were registered as 1967s. How many are left is anyone's guess... The 1967 would thus be a bit of a rarity from a build year standpoint -- overlapping with the newer 250SL model that superceded it that same year.

Having a 3rd seat was an option -- not too common but several cars had it, nonetheless. Hard and soft top were standard, and automatic trans. not rare at all by 1967. Black leather very common.

So depending on what you mean by rare (and what your build date was) -- I'd say, yours has some "rare or less common attributes" -- alongside a few features that were standard fare. However, having "one" of the later 230SLs is a nice talking point -- and of course, you are already in "elite company" by having a Pagoda anyway! Congratulations and enjoy it!

James
63 230SL

[KevinC]

Sarino, I believe the model year change-over back then was around October of the previous year. According to the "Original Mercedes SL" by Laurence Meredith (some say this book is not 100% accurate),  cars with VINs ending 18446 through 19832 were designated as 1967 model year vehicles (thats actually quute a few). Looking at your VIN vs the "Production Month" chart in the data bases area of this site will tell you the actual month of production. For instance, my VIN ends in 19213 suggesting it was built in late October/early November 1966 as a 1967 model year car. At any rate, as James mentions, you are part of an elite club all in all just by owning a 113. Welcome and Good Luck!

Kevin Caputo
Hampden, MA
1967 230 SL Automatic
670 Light Ivory
113 Bronze/Brown MB Tex

[Eryck]

I concur with James and Kevin. On the other hand, depending on what you mean by "tacky design" on the leather, that might be rare since I can't think of anything on the interior leather that is tacky!

1965 230 SL White Manual
Hong Kong

[Chad]

Do you mean "tacky" in terms of adherent?

They are uncommon cars, as are all from the vintage, and more so each year.  However, the rare ones are the ones that are original and honestly described by those selling them - buyer beware.

1967 230SL

[Mark280SL]

If rare relates to price, and I'm thinking it does I can tell you I bought my 280SL in the past few months but before I found my car I looked at a 1967 230 with all the same options you describe, it ran very well, had a good paint job and body. The rear bumpers needed to be rechromed, it needed new tires, and new leather on the seats, plus needed carpet but it was otherwise a very nice rust free car. I wanted a 280 so I did not buy it but the owner was asking $15,000.00 USD. I estimated I could fix all the problems and then some for 5-6,000.00 max and it would have been a very nice car. When I was shopping it seemed like all the 230's were selling for less then the 280's in similar condition for some reason.