1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL

Mercedes-Benz W113 SL (Convertible), 1963-1971

The Mercedes-Benz W113 SL was in production from 1963 to 1971. Styled in house by Paul Bracq and Bela Barenyi, it is a front-engine, rear wheel drive sports car seating two adults.

Launched in 1963 as the 230SL, the W113 - colloquially known as the Pagoda SL - was intended as a replacement for the 190SL sports car. It offered higher performance, and technically had its roots in a development of the 190 termed the 220SL, with six cylinders. Delays meant that the 220SL looked outdated before it was launched, so a new design was mooted based around a shortened version of he W111 Fintail floorpan. That car became the fuel injected 230SL. Mercedes-Benz updated the model over the years - increasing the stroke to create the 250SL of 1967, and increasing the bore the following year to create the 280SL. Replaced by the new, heavier, W114-based R107SL in 1971, many regard the W113 as the finest of all Mercedes-Benz SLs and it is one of the most desirable as a result.

Front wings, pillars, sills and rear chassis rails are known rust spots, as well as both valances and the boot floor. Distributors and throttle bodies can fail, while 230s in particular can pink as a result of uncontrolled detonation. Tappets and oil leaks can also be trouble spots. Fortunately, most panels and trim are available through specialists, meaning that a W113 can be effectively restored if your pockets are deep enough. Rear axle gaiters can leak - it's a full strip down to replace. Make sure the steering box is neither too loose, nor so tight that overtightening has caused internal damage.

For looking the part in the 1960s nothing else this side of an E-type carried the same cachet as the SL - and this and the Aston Martin DB4 are arguably the closest rivals to the Mercedes-Benz. Today though, you might also consider a Jensen Interceptor, or if you find the W113 a little to expensive, a good early R107 will offer the same Mercedes-Benz SL experience for a far lower price.