Mercedes Benz 230 SL 'Pagode' vintage cars
Mercedes Benz 230 SL Pagode
Unusual change of models for Mercedes Benz
When the 230 SL was presented at the International Automobile Salon in Geneva in March 1963, this was more than a normal change of models for Mercedes-Benz. Not only that the new two-seater should replace two different models of sports cars, the 190 SL and the 300 SL roadster, which could not be more different – both predecessors were very popular with the public and had become legends even during their production period. Not an easy start for the newcomer.
In addition to that, the new sports car didn’t present itself simply in a pleasant, unspectacular design, but incited attention by a very concise and original one. The unconventional form of the hardtop caused polarisation in the specialists and public and created the nickname „Pagoda-SL“ for the newcomer. This way, it got its specific type description from the very start, which, by the way, it had already received by the developers in Sindelfingen before the public presentation. The only distinctive name, which had been created by the engineers and designers and not by the fan generations afterwards.
The 230 SL also had remarkable, diversified qualities.
Based on the base structure and the aggregates of the „rear flippers“ – construction series W 111, it was the first sports car worldwide with an innovative safety bodywork, and Eugen Böhringer proved that the W 113 was a sportive asset as well, with a win at the Rally Spa-Sofia-Liège in August 1963. The Pagoda has been distinguished till today, as can be expected by a real Mercedes, as a multi-purpose talent, which can entrance even active drivers with its charisma.
The technical features of the new SL
Mercedes Benz 230 SL
The 230 SL was the first passenger car by Mercedes-Benz which was delivered with radial-ply tyres as a standard. Another innovation were the 14 inch wheels. The 14 inch wheels instead of the 13 inch wheels, which were normally used at that time, were not only an argument for decision by the stylists. The chassis engineers were much more involved than the designers in this matter. The need for stronger brakes led to bigger disc diameters and therefore to bigger wheels. The components of the chassis were taken over in principle from the limousines 220b to 220 SEb which were introduced in 1959. These upper class models of the „rear flipper-production series“ had gained a good reputation due to their high ride comfort as well as their sportive, safe chassis coordination.
The success was unavoidable within a short time, and the press honoured it accordingly. 40 years ago, they applauded especially the pleasant and almost playful handling in combination with adequate suspension comfort. Only at the end of the production period, reactions of shifting of the load in sharp bends were claimed. They arise by the rising effect of the rear pendulum axis when braking and steering.
An essential element of the success were two extras, at that time available at a surcharge. These were the servo steering and the automatic transmission. The servo steering underlined, with its direct gear, the playful handling of the car.
The automatic transmission played a big part in the enormous success of the SL-construction series in the USA, which practically exploded especially with the 280 SL in the years 1968 to 1971 and made this model a top sales hit.
Stars in their Pagoda
 Ewy Rosqvist-von Korff / Ursula Wirth |
 Hardy Krüger |
 Juan Manuel Fangio |
|
 Sir Peter Ustinov |
 Stirling Moss |
