Star Torque Issue 244 Winter 2016

M -B W113 D
by Daimler AG
The creation of the W 113 series (from 1963 to
1971) under Friedrich Geiger marked a paradigm
change in SL design; not because of the Pagoda
roof, but in spite of it. The break with curves and
arches symbolising organic forms such as muscle strands
meant SL design for the W 113 model series called for a
new perspective.
The result was a body with characteristic smooth surfaces,
which refrained from extensive use of trim elements.
Only the flared wheel arches and tyres that completely
filled them conveyed a sense of power and dynamism. In
the area of the rear wings, a delicate, barely perceptible
shoulder echoed the tailfin era that was coming to an end.
The angular end of the rear wing, in conjunction with the
boot lid that followed it in silhouette, resulted in useful
load compartment capacity.
Owing to the low waistline and large glazed surfaces,
even with the top closed the car gave the impression of
lightness and airiness, making one forget the feeling of
confinement which many convertibles and sports cars
give their occupants.
A fillet running from the headlamp unit through to
the rear end, gives the compact two-seater a stretched
appearance and avoids the impression of tedious twodimensionality
in the side view.
The front end is dominated by a radiator opening which
is wider than in the previous model and integrates the
Mercedes star and two flanking chrome inserts. The almost
rectangular headlamp units form the outer boundary.
This was the first car in SL design to display a vertical
homogeneity of traditionally evolved style elements. But
there were critics for whom the even wider face of the
W 113 model series, though effective, was at the same
time a formal exaggeration. The chrome frame on the
arch bordering the top of the grille was made thicker and
prominently emphasised the expressive power of the face
of the SL in the W 113 series.
The curvature of the bonnet with its striking powerdome
contrasted with the otherwise level surface structure of
the body and resulted from the installation of a vertical
in-line six-cylinder engine.
special feature of the W 113 series was the concave
A hardtop, spontaneously dubbed “il pagoda” by the
Italians – an expression which over the decades has become
established as a synonym for the entire model series. The
starting point for this hardtop shape came from safety
pioneer Béla Barényi to create additional carrying space
on the roof of a passenger car. He conducted extensive
tests on saloons of various model series, but putting this
idea into practice did not meet with unanimous approval.
The head of development, Hans Scherenberg, regarded the
Pagoda roof as a signature of the vehicle and served no
functional purpose as far as driving was concerned.
The design was developed under the direction of Friedrich
Geiger and followed the functional trend of passenger cars
of the period and the design was realised by Paul Bracq.
Today the “Pagoda” is still seen as a harmonious design –
as Friedrich Geiger’s original and lifelong aspiration, it is
an achievement confirmed both by Werner Breitschwerdt
and his successor Bruno Sacco.
The design of the hardtop with concave roofline also
demonstrated the increasing influence of design elements
on contemporary marketing considerations. But in
this respect, the Pagoda roof itself proved more or less
inconsequential, since when the fabric top was in use, all
arguments for and against the Pagoda roof were rendered
superfluous.
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