The Mercedes-Benz product line of the late 1950s had a glaring void. The 300 SL sports car was magnificent but expensive, and its 190 SL sibling, developed from an entry-level saloon, lacked performance. To remedy this omission, development began on a six-cylinder evolution of the 190 SL that was internally coded W127 and intended to be badged as 220 SL. Along the way, however, the development was redirected toward the S-Class W112 platform. The result was the W113, a fuel-injected, 2.3-litre sports car that was introduced at the March 1963 Geneva Motor Show. Badged 230 SL, it came as a roadster or “pagoda roof” coupé. Nearly 20,000 were built through 1967, of which more than half were exported, many of them to the United States.

Road & Track was impressed by its performance, stating: “The 230 SL really belongs to the fast car group”. Successively larger engines, such as the 250 SL and the 280 SL, kept the W113 in production through 1971. When finally succeeded by the R107 and C107 cars, nearly 50,000 had been built.

The first-year 230 SL offered here is a largely original car, including what appears to be the factory finish of Papyrus White and the black leather upholstery, chrome, and removable black pagoda hardtop, as well as the authentic “salt and pepper” carpeting, which are all well-preserved. Equipped with a Becker Mexico radio/cassette player, clock, and modern boot-mounted Alpine CD changer, it remains in very good overall condition, and it would be a pleasure to lightly recommission, drive, and enjoy.