The Mercedes W113 series was a two-seat roadster/coupé manufactured in three different Pagoda-topped powerpacks – Mercedes-Benz 230 SL, 250 SL and 280 SL – from 1963 to 1971, replacing the Mercedes 190SL and the 300SL classes.

Buyer or Seller Questions? Let’s Talk! 310-975-0272

With 48,913 produced during the period, the W 113 class combined safety with a higher-speed range and better steering. The comparatively short and wide chassis, combined with an excellent suspension, powerful brakes and radial tires gave the W 113 superb handling for its time.

All three vehicles in the W 113 model series were built to exceptional standards:

From cast-aluminum door shells to individually numbered alloy bonnet, trunk-lid, hood cover and door skins.

Ahead of its time in the combination of sporting performance and touring comfort, it can appear a delicate vehicle, until you appreciate that it was also a masterful endurance rally car, as it proved when winning the gruelling 1964 Spa-Sofia-Liège. All three engines give a near-identical top speed, though the 250 and 280 have considerably more torque than the 230SL. The 280 also has softer seats and suspension: ninety per cent were sold with an excellent four-speed automatic, whereas three-quarters of 230s were manual. And the 280 SLs sold into America had separate sealed-beam headlamps, rubber-tipped overriders, lower axle ratio, milder cam, headrests, side wing reflectors and hazard warning lights.

On account of that slightly concave and very distinctive hardtop, with design by Paul Bracq and Bela Barenyi (Barenyi solely responsible for that legendary hardtop), the 280SL was thereby dubbed the ‘Pagoda’: although in Asia, a pagoda is a generic term for a place of worship, drivers of the Mercedes-Benz 280SL would certainly genuflect to the beautifully achieved vision of the vehicle.

The Pagoda’s progression to being considered an ultimate classic was almost immediate: in London, ten years after production ceased, it was considered the coolest car you could possibly be driving. And that status remains: Harry Styles owns a Pagoda as does Kate Moss. In the past John Lennon, Charlton Heston, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, and racing driver Sir Stirling Moss were all stellar possessors of this wonderful sporting drophead.

And at Beverly Hills Car Club right now we have one of the last Pagodas to be made, a 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280SL California Special that is finished in its factory color Silver Grey Metallic (180) complemented with a black interior. This particular model is a rare and desirable California Coupe variant, making it a highly sought-after collector’s item.

The especially rare California Coupe is distinguished by its unique configuration, which includes a removable hardtop and a rear bench seat, offering a blend of open-air motoring and additional passenger space.

Deleting the soft-top and its housing, the California Coupe replaced it with that practical rear bench seat, creating a true 2+2 grand tourer; scarce in any form, a factory-produced 280 SL California is the pinnacle of W113 rarity.

This specialist feature not only enhances our vehicle’s versatility but also adds to its exclusivity and charm.

Under the hood, our luxury classic is powered by a fuel-injected inline-six engine paired with an automatic transmission. It comes equipped with power steering, four-wheel disc brakes, spot welds, fender notches, dual exhaust outlets, chrome bumpers with overriders, VDO instrumentation, chrome trim, a body-color dashboard, Uniroyal Tiger Paw whiteline tires, 14-inch steel wheels with Mercedes-Benz hubcaps, a jack, tool roll, and a full-size spare tire. Convenience features include a Becker Europa radio, bucket seats with headrests, driver-side rearview mirror, two-spoke steering wheel with horn, map pockets, glove box, manual crank windows, analog clock, and a center console.

Included is an owner’s manual and manufacturer’s literature, providing a comprehensive history and documentation of the car’s provenance. This exceptional 280 SL Pagoda comes with a comprehensive history of service records, documenting the maintenance it has received over the years. The records include details of routine oil changes, brake jobs, and other essential services, providing peace of mind to the discerning buyer.

Finding such an original example in this condition is a rare opportunity for classic car aficionados.

This Mercedes-Benz is a true automotive gem that combines vintage charm with optimal performance. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a passionate enthusiast, this highly collectible California Coupe is sure to turn heads wherever you go and is mechanically sound.

So if you want to remember the fabulous Seventies, when digitisation was something you would first hear of at the end of the decade as the means of production for Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk album, you know precisely where to go.

Beverly Hills Car Club: come to us and we will take you to the golden age of the wonderful Pagoda.

-Alex Manos, Owner