Star Torque Issue 244 Winter 2016

Club Pagodas
1966 230 SL, Oriental Red & Cream – Bob Thomsen
Here is a little trivia about the W113 and my 230 SL.
The W113, commonly known as the “Pagoda”, was
introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, in 1963. A total of
48,912 were built, of which 19,440 were sold to the United
States and production finished in 1971 when the R 107
took over.
The W113 SL was developed by head designer, Paul
Bracq, who created its distinctive concave hard top, which
inspired the name “Pagoda”. The W113 has an in line six
cylinder, fuel injection engine. The bonnet, boot, doors and
hard top, along with the tonneau cover, are all aluminium
to reduce weight.
The W113 SL’s were configured as a Coupe/Roadster,
with a soft top and removable hard top, as an option. A
2 plus 2 was introduced later, with a 250 SL, called the
Californian Coupe, which had a fold down rear seat, instead
of a soft top.
The difference between the 230, 250 and 280 SLs is that
the 230SL has a 4 bearing crankshaft, while the 250 and
280 SL have a 7 bearing crankshaft.
I found my car on the internet back in 1999. It drove
very well, had log books, a very good history, was a Sydney
based car and I believe I am the third owner.
The car had 70,000 miles on the clock, was very straight
with no visible signs of rust. The interior of the car was in
good condition, but the duco was not so good. Just what I
was looking for!
A friend of mine, Mick Schumack, from Maroubra Auto
Refinishers, could respray the car for me. So we removed
the engine and the car went in for a bare metal respray.
Surprisingly there was not a lot off rust to be found, only a
little bit under the chrome mouldings.
While the engine was on the bench, I commissioned Peter
Swatch, from Auto Haus One, to rebuild the engine. The
hard top was relined by Sydney Motor Trimmers and the
interior of the car was given a good clean.
The car still had the original rubber matting on the floor,
which is only found in the 230 SL’s. All other models have
carpet right through the interior. When restoring the 230
SL’s, most restorers will also put carpet right throughout.
The result of all this work has made my, W113, a
Concours winning car. I have had great pleasure and a lot
of satisfaction in taking the car to Mercedes-Benz outings
and Club Concours events.
1970 280 SL Roadster, Gold & Brown - Joe Kaltoum
It’s like stepping into a time machine and travelling back
to 1970, famous for bell-bottoms and disco.
The cars of 1970 were definitely something. My 280SL
Mercedes-Benz 1970 looks like a photo-shopped image,
snatched out of a glossy magazine. With its golden shine
and chiselled frame, not only does this model trigger a
longing to revisit the past, but it remains one of the most
affordable investments for me.
With my “Pagoda” and the detachable hardtop roof off, I
am truly ready to embrace the 1970’s life, and cruise down
the streets of Sydney with no care in the world. Built in
the era of the seventies, you would assume that the 280SL
Mercedes-Benz would leak, rattle and squeak, but to the
contrary, this car is as solid today as the day it was first
driven. What a car, easy to manoeuvre and handle any
corner. I have owned the car for 18 years as the second
owner. The previous owner had restored this pagoda, so I
take full advantage of driving this wonderful car.
by Club members,
A.King, D.Dinse
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