230sl - everything original ?

[myllox]

Hi,

Should my dream change in reality ?
For a long long time ago ...and now I have the opportunity to get ths 230sl

Could you help me with your accurate knowledge ?

and now let space at pictures ...

[myllox]

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[myllox]

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[myllox]

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[myllox]

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[myllox]

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[myllox]

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[myllox]

final

[Naj ✝︎]

Nice tidy car!

Naj

[jameshoward]

Looks like a really nice 230.

[myllox]

I get VIN number and ENGINE number

But how to be sure that it's a matching number ...
I try on several VIN decoder but haven't results

...

[Garry]

Myllox,

You need to get the data card for the car and that will give you all the details of what was on the car when it came off the production line.

You can obtain it from the Classic Centre in California or even try your local Mercedes Dealer, they sometimes know how to get it

Garry

[myllox]

Is the radio original or is too recent or young.  I see a Becker Europa Kurier

Ted leather in the center of the steering wheel and around the hand brake are original ? ...

[Jordan]

Myllox, very nice looking car.  Seems pretty well put together from the pictures, no glaring issues visually.  As Garry says, best to get the data card and all will be revealed.  There should also be a data plate above the drivers side fender inside the engine compartment that will tell you a bit about the car.

As for the radio, it looks to be from a later model 113, although I have never seen a Kurier before.  Leather around the hand brake is an add on, not original.  All relatively easy fixes if that is what you want.  Have you taken it for a drive?

[hkollan]

Hi,

Seat leather covers appears to be non original, and yes the radio is too new for that car.
The Europa Kurier with Verkehrsfunk was first available from 1976.

Still a pretty nice looking car.

Hans

[Erics]

so the car has euro bumpers and delete side repeaters.

But it still has its US headlights and MPH clock.

So American car partially Europeanised. Nothing wrong with that, but worth knowing.

[Iconic]

Should the rockers be dark on a 230? (I dare not say grey or black  )
In the boot for the convertible top, the paint looks too shiny and it appears the vinyl has some of that gloss black on it. I believe some of the hardware is painted silver where it should not be (in the same picture).
The battery hold down would be wrong for a 280. Other's will have to confirm or refute it for a 230.
Tail pipes either wrong or installed wrong (sticking out too far).
Interior color look soooo red, almost apears dyed. Also, compare it to the convertible boot vinyl, looks different to me.
Not sure, but gas cap might not be original.
Various hose clamps under the hood are not original.
Does it have headlight notches???
Maybe the Data card is in the glove box? (Like mine was.).

All of this is no big deal, but you asked about originality.
Looks like a really nice car with many really nice things about it.
Enjoy the ride !! I hope you go for it.

[J. Huber]

Nice car. I am curious how early the car is. I think it looks good. Its hard to say if some things are original (carpet, upholstery, etc) but they look correct.

I believe there is some chrome missing on the soft-top lid. And I do not think the cigarette lighter is correct (or its missing a chromed ring)...

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hello Myllox,

Nice looking car do you have an asking price yet? Perhaps you should see if a knowledgeable Pagoda owner from this forum can help you to evaluate the car from top to bottom before you make a final offer to purchase. Even if you pay the transportation cost (airfare) for that indevidual, it would be money well spend ... H/her input would allow you to make a fair counter offer. ... I'm just thinking out loud here

[Lars G]

hi Mylox,
I agree with the others, the car looks great.
But as what I can see and as also mentioned the soft top box seems resprayed with a too glossy paint and it is the same for the boot.
Studying the upholstery codes gives that the pagoda has never been manufactured with red leather/MB tex and black carpets. I would assume that the car originally was equipped with black leather /MB Tex. Only the data card can tell you the correct answer. That would has been really nice together with the black hardtop and the black hubcups.
Steering wheel center are always black to black steering wheel and white to white, no colors.

[dirks1408]

Hi Mylox,
great car, but the fuel tank cap seems not to be original

[Garry]

It does look like a pretty tidy and relatively early 230SL.  All the small items members have mentioned are cosmetic and easy fixers and should not deter you from the car if it is mechanically sound

Erics, I dont believe the early US cars came with over riders or side markers, this was a later safety item introduced so probably correct.

Garry

[Iconic]

Garry,
You say "I don't believe ....".
I can confirm, you are correct, this car should not have USA side markers. Those started in 1968.
So, no issue with this car on that subject.

[Garry]

Mark,

I say "I believe” or “I dont believe” just in case what I believe is very different from what is fact!!!! 

[Iconic]

Yes Garry, I understood that.
That is why I wanted to give more strength to your comment so myllox was not mislead by Erics comments.
I hope if I am wrong about a fact, others would point it out for the good of the community.
The side markers started in '68 in the US. For the Pagoda, first as reflectors and then lights. I don't know when that switch to lights was.
The pre-'68 US Pagodas look much more like European Pagodas except for head and tail light details.
I can't wait to have these conversations in person !