New Pagoda enthusiast...need some info.

[Pilk]

Hi all,
I just joined after seeing a Pagoda in a parking lot...love at first sight.  I left a note on the windshield for the owner to contact me if they were interested in selling...they called a couple days later.  I have yet to see the car and hear the price but was wondering what I might be on the lookout for.  I didn't even catch the model # but is was like one my neighbor had growing up...I loved that car.  35 years pass and I can afford one, hopefully, so I'm going to investigate this weekend.  It is an off blue color with a tan (light) interior.  It looks to be original paint and interior although the inside was very nice for a 40 year old car.  I will get more detail this weekend. Maybe a few questions for the experts.

1.  what are the bad thing to look for?
2.  are some models more desirable than others?
3.  are they known for rusting in certain areas.
4.  anything else I might want to know before I go see it?
5.  what is a reasonable price range for a clean/straight car?  I have no idea.
I'm looking for a driver and a tinkerer, maybe something I can have painted if needed but no major restore in mind.  This looked like a cute little driver that was clean and straight.  Thanks folks.  Check back with you later.
Pilk.

[Andres G]

Hello Pilk, and welcome to the forum.

Having just completed my year long search for my ideal pagoda, I have most of your questions still fresh in my mind. However, I am no expert here so I'm sure the more experienced members will chime in soon.

Here's what I can tell you in regards of your questions:
1 - The main "bad" thing to look for will be rust... other than that, I think the rest of the car is easy to asses.
2 - Desirability will depend on personal preference, but I would venture to say at least, that the Hardtop Only models are less desirable than the ones with a Softop; some people say that manual transmission may be more desirable than auto, but so far I was not able to see this reflect in pricing. 5 Speed Manual transmissions are very rare, that may become more desirable, as with every thing that is scarcely available
3 - Rust is probably the car's biggest issue. You can spot it behind the headlight buckets, the inside of the front fenders, on the floors, inside the softop compartment, inside the trunk, on the main frame rails and sills...
4 - I would suggest reading as much as possible on the car. Try to understand details on the car, specifically what model and equipment should it have.
5 - A reasonable price will be determined by your interest in the car. Keep in mind that these cars were built in large numbers, so there are many more out there than you think... I'd say that rust is the key factor to determine the final price of a car. A fair price range is between $25 and $35 K, below that, you're probably looking at major work on the car, above that, may be too much for just a driver/tinkerer

Finally, check out this link to be able to identify the color you're looking at:
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/PaintCodes

Good luck in your hunt!
Andres G

[Pilk]

Thanks for the quick reply.  I talked to the owner tonight.  68 250sl, sky blue, rust free original paint and interior.  New factory engine/transmission 15k old.  Hard top only, automatic, jump seat.  Didn't ask about other stuff.  Now, the kicker,  for sale but not really.  If he were to sell...he'd want $30,000.  Not sure if he was being coy or not but he invited me to come take a look.  He said he has driven it to both coasts since 04 when he bought it.  I may try to get a look at it this weekend.  Thanks again for the reply.  I had now idea about pricing but hearing what he wants or would want and your assessment it sounds like they're are about on target. 

[Peter van Es]

And this of course: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Buying/Start

Peter

[Douglas]

That sounds like a California Coupe (hardtop only with no soft top or soft top "well"). Run a search here in the forums to learn more about that model. Let us know how it goes!

[J. Huber]

Hey Pilk. I'd be a little cautious with anyone who says, "if I were to sell". What the heck does that mean anyway? From a buyer's standpoint, you know the price is probably higher than the car is worth. After all, everything has a price... Having said that, one can't really say what's worth what, without checking it out carefully. Where are you located? Maybe one of us is close enough to add some insight? Or at the very least -- maybe some photos?

As for "original paint and interior" -- I always see that as a loaded description as well... If its a very well preserved car -- then that is great. If it simply means, so "that's why it looks kinda old and faded" or "not too bad for 40 years old" -- you have to ask yourself what your end game is. I personally would prefer looking at and getting into a car that has a fairly sharp interior and decent paint -- so either I'd end up getting it updated or it would be already done...(even as a driver). So just check it out. Good luck.

[dseretakis]

True.  Also, a lot of people advertize original paint figuring that mildly oxidized paint looks original and nobody would know the difference or they are second or third or fourth owners and don't know the history well enough to know for sure themselves.

[Pilk]

I had another discussion with the owner.  I agree that it seemed odd he would call and say...for sale, but not really.  I remember the interior being really nice and what he actually said was the interior was all original equipment, meaning real Mercedes parts.  I doubt is was form 1968...the seats were just too nice.  It was a rust free car according to the owner, with unknown miles.  When he replaced the engine and transmission he reset the odometer to zero.  Pretty sure its not a matching numbers car (if that even matters with Pagodas).  I could believe the paint and body were original or an older paint job...certainly wasn't show room, but it had a kinda well cared for patina if that makes sense.  Good chrome, glass, molding, etc.  I just didn't spend a long time eyeballing it.  I would say, if mechanically sound, it would be a good driver, without worrying about a 'brand' new car.  I think he was trying to see if $30K would flap my wings or not.  I certainly would do my due diligence before investing that kind of money in an old car, especially a model I'm really ignorant of.  At $30K, it brings a lot of my old favorites in the picture, like a driver 55-57 T'bird, or something from that era.  I just always had an eye for this era Mercedes.  I'm going to keep track of the car and see if he ever gets serious about selling and we'll find out what its really worth to him.  He has a couple other older foreign sports cars so he may move in and out of them from time to time.  I'm in no hurry but if anyone sees a car in the midwest...lmk.  Thanks for all the replies and advice.  Much appreciated. 
Pilk.