Memories of my Pagoda (Mercedes-Benz 280 SL, W113)
02/16/2011
The Mercedes SL of the W113 series, popularly known as the Pagoda, built in the 1960s as the 230, 250 and 280 SL, is probably one of the most popular classic cars in German-speaking Europe. Hardly a month goes by without one of these attractive cars appearing on the front page of a classic car magazine.
I was also attracted by the allure of this elegant vehicle and bought a manual four-speed 280-SL, built in 1968, from a second owner with few kilometers on the clock around 15 years ago. Right from the start, I was fascinated by the incredible maturity of the vehicle for its time and the impressive engine/exhaust noise/roar under load. The light blue metallic paint was a little weathered in some places and the interior also showed its age, but technically the vehicle was in very good condition. Nevertheless, the repainting resulted in a partial restoration and any rust damage found was immediately repaired. The interior was also refreshed at the same time. However, the investment didn't pay off for me, as I had to sell the beautiful car two or three years later (at a loss) due to the purchase of my own home.
But I have fond memories of the car and I can well understand the enduring popularity of the W113.
