Fun question?

[john.mancini]

Here's a fun question: Is a W113 that left the factory with no hard top still considered a Pagoda? I had to ask because I have a 65 230SL that was factory optioned with a soft top only. Someone told me that it's not considered a Pagoda without the hardtop. 8 beers later we still could not come to a conclusion!

[mdsalemi]

Excusing the beers for a moment, that's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard regarding our W113 series cars. Yes, the "Pagoda" nickname derived from the shape of the hard top. Of that there is no question. The nickname refers to the W113, NOT whether or not it came with a hard top, or whether it came with a soft top (California Coupe), or whether the soft top is up or down, or if the hard top is on or off.

Whoever you were drinking with needs an education.

[MikeSimon]

The Pagoda nickname was coined in the market, not by the manufacturer. Yes, because of the shape of the steel top. I don't think it matters whether the top is on or not, included or not. I don't think I have driven my 280SL more than 3 times in 40 years of ownership with the hardtop on. Who would know if the car has one or not? If I get into a conversation about my vinatge cars and I say I own a 1971 280SL, many people don't quite know what I am talking about. When I add: a "Pagoda", suddenly the lights come on. Fun question, O.K.!

[49er]

I wasn't familiar with the term "Pagoda" nick name when I first got my car but when asked what kind of a car I had, "280SL" was how I replied. That was always understood. Times have changed I guess.

John

[Bonnyboy]

At generic car shows there is this posturing and judging of people that goes on, so when asked about what I drive I usually just say "an old Mercedes 280" and generally leave it like that unless they ask.   People get funny when they think you have a $100,000 toy but not when I say "old 280".   

I try not to "out class" anyone I talk to as you learn about the coolest things when people don't feel intimidated - unless they are Jaguar snobs -  then I give them both barrels.  I am in the Jaguar/MG club and some of the Jaguar folk look down on us MG members as being inferior so the last club run I went on I stuck MGB emblems on the Pagoda and parked right up front and center  -  it was a hoot. 

[MikeSimon]

The term 280SL can also apply to newer models other than the W113. If you have a 230 or 250SL it would be clearer.

[john.mancini]

I'll let him know that the experts at our Pagoda club agree with me! . I have always said that all W113 cars got the "Pagoda" nickname, regardless of the roof options. Now, if a tree falls in the woods........................

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

One of the assembly workers took his pet to the plant one weekend for some exercise and when the Monday nightshift started this happened (see attachment).


Now I have this from a very reliable source, sorry I cannot share the name with you

[lreppond]

I wasn't familiar with the term "Pagoda" nick name when I first got my car but when asked what kind of a car I had, "280SL" was how I replied. That was always understood. Times have changed I guess.

John

I first became familiar with these cars in 1968.  Then, as John has pointed out, the term “pagoda” was unheard of.  They were either 230, 250 or 280SL’s. Until I joined this club, if you had called one a “pagoda” I would have had no idea what you were talking about.   As cognoscenti, we all know that it’s a generalized term to include all  types of the w113 model line. It is, therefore, useful.  That said, I still NEVER tell my friends I have a “pagoda” because they wouldn’t know what I meant.  I just say I have an “old Mercedes 2 seater”. 

[john.mancini]

I'm always amazed at how few "collector car people" actually know what a 230SL, 250SL or a 280SL actually is. I too find myself often saying, "I have an old 2 seater Mercedes", when I describe my car.

[mdsalemi]

…I am in the Jaguar/MG club and some of the Jaguar folk look down on us MG members as being inferior..,

… which is pretty funny since both old MG’s, and old Jags are crammed full of Lucas electrics, and thus don’t run in the rain and have all manner of electrical problems!

Old MGs have a very high fun factor, and the parts are cheap and plentiful…and they are easy to work on. But you knew that which is why you have an old MG instead of an old Jaguar! 😉

[Mike Hughes]

For some reason there has always been a friendly rivalry between M.G. and Jaguar owners. In the 50's and 60's in Washington, DC, there was a little place on M Street near Key Bridge in Georgetown called The Pit Stop, owned by a one-armed British ex-pat named Ace Rosner.  It was the meeting place for all the many Marque and racing clubs in the area.  On Tuesday evenings the M.G. Car Club met in the main dining room, while the Jaguar Owner's Club had to meet downstairs in the basement.

[Cees Klumper]

I recall a discussion, probably on the Yahoo predecessor forum, how in the US up to that point (about 20 years ago) the nickname 'Pagoda' was not really known, contrary to Europe. It was Doug Kim, at that time working in advertising, who said that the forum members should just start using it, and it would become commonplace. Which he was right about.

[Merc_Girl]

Interesting that pagoda nickname was only used in Europe 😁

[kiloMikl]

I think it would all depend on the package as well as the customer's desire.