Information
• Very rare.
• California Coupè model 2+2.
• With additional extra soft top.
• Eligible for the Mercedes-Benz Mille Miglia Challenge.
Registration and Italian plates.
Eligibility
Mercedes-Benz Mille Miglia Challenge (Group E).
Giro di Sicilia.
Targa Florio.
Goodwood Revival.
Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti.
Coppa delle Alpi by 1000 Miglia.
Winter Marathon.
Nürburgring Classic.
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.
Chantilly Arts & Elegance Richard Mille.
Concorso d’eleganza Villa D’Este.
Provenance
There are cars that became icons of an era, the 1960s, such as The Beatles, mini-skirts. And the "Pagoda". W113 is the design number of the second series of the SL Class cars, produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1963 and 1971. As for the project, the car had to be quick, comfortable and roomy; made using up the resources already available and should have an attractive line. The body design was sketched by Paul Bracq. The result was presented at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show. The 230 SL was characterized by taut and dynamic lines, but the temper was, above all, that of a fast and comfortable gran turismo. The most peculiar aesthetic feature was the shape of the hardtop, with a concave shape towards the center to reduce the frontal aerodynamic impact and maintain habitability in height. The trick brought the popular nickname Pagoda. The mechanical scheme was classic: rear-wheel drive, front engine. New was the 6-cylinder in-line fuel-injected engine, with 2308 cc. The rear swing axle was new and made the car challenging in the wet. The 230 SL was replaced by the 250 SL, introduced at the 1967 Geneva Motor Show; it retained the sportier feel, but provided improved versatility. The main change was the use of the 2,496 cc M129.II engine with increased stroke, increased valve ports, and seven main bearings instead of four. The nominal maximum power remained unchanged at 148 hp, but torque improved. The 250 SL also marked the introduction of a 2+2 body style, the so-called "California Coupé" which, despite the name, was distributed both in the USA and in Europe; had had only the removable hardtop and no soft-top: a small fold-down rear bench seat replaced the soft-top well between passenger compartment and boot. In August 1967, a number of changes were incorporated to accommodate stricter safety regulations and US emission laws, starting with the collapsible steering wheel. Production of the 250 SL had already began in December 1966 and ended in January 1968. The short one-year production run makes the 250 SL the rarest of the W 113 series cars. It consisted in 5196 cars, of which 1761 were for the US market. After just over a year, the 250 SL gave way to the 280 SL with a displacement of 2778 cc. The W113 series, in March 1971, was replaced by the R107.
The car
The 1967 Mercedes Benz 250 SL, with original chassis no. 113.043.10.003738, re-punched M409859592M, is a rare SL 250 California Coupé model, produced as 2+2 and with only the hard top; it is estimated that around 500 were produced in all. An original Mercedes canvas top was installed on the car, without modifying the sheet metal; when the hood opens, it folds back onto the bodywork. Hood redone with the original materials. The car is matching number and comes in the original color combination, has a manual gearbox and has just completed a high-level conservative restoration. The car was completely disassembled, repainted and repaired where necessary with original parts. The interior in MB TEX is the original one, only the carpet has been redone. All the gaskets were replaced, the windshield glass and the muffler were changed. The injectors were replaced, the cold start valve, the petrol pump and the injection pump were overhauled. The car is equipped with an original Becker radio and a battery switch. It is ASI registered and has a CRS (certificate of historical regularity). The car is Italian from the outset, initially registered in Pistoia and in 1992 registered again in Livorno and repunched (with a new chassis number M409859592M) because de-registered.
State of the Art
Recent restoration. In excellent conditions and perfectly running.