1966 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Convertible

6-cylinder fuel injected

Manual

113.042-10-009383

Clear

Gasoline

670btf Store 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL Coupe/Convertible Thank you for visiting this listing and I greatly appreciate your interest. After many years dreaming of someday owning a Mercedes-Benz, I purchased this beautiful 1966 230SL Roadster/Coupe from a Mercedes dealer in 1983 intending to complete its restoration after I retired. That time arrived, but my interests changed and more room is needed in the garage. I am listing this car as a "barn find" because it looked, drove and ran great, and also drew countless positive comments prior to its retirement from service in 1992. Some deterioration occurred while the car was stored beneath its satin sheets covered by a roll of plush carpeting secured safely in my garage. The motor has no perceivable problems, but does not currently run thanks to rust caused by years of condensation that formed in the fuel tank. This muck froze the fuel pump when I tried to start the car last year. Reverse flushing the fuel line may free the pump because it worked flawlessly over the 9 years I drove the car and most of its years in storage. If shopping for a complete, numbers matching, Pagoda Roadster you are encouraged to bid on this elegant vehicle from my collection. I have enjoyed this car for 31 years and wish to share it with a new owner who has the desire and wherewithal to complete its restoration. That person may be you! Bidders hoping to win similar cars witness many vehicles being re-listed multiple times with low opening bids throttled by high reserves. We bid hoping to win only to be disappointed when auctions end with no winner. In my efforts to improve participants gratification, make their eBay experience more fun, and demonstrate my appreciation for your interest in my favorite roadster, this auction opens with a bid of only two US cents. As an additional courtesy all Bidders Identifications will remain discrete to protect their privacy. Bidders are responsible for determining my cars value. Like a treasured friend, this car I once named Anastasia will eternally remain invaluable to me for the many pleasures she provided, so if I were to set her opening bid it would drive most if not all bidders away. This is why I decided to let your bids determine what my car is worth. This is a NO RESERVE auction! The Highest Bidder wins my car. Am I crazy? Maybe, but I have thrown "my two cents" in, and room is needed in the garage, so this car has to go. An image of the June 28, 2014 NADA report is included for reference. More about this car... I suspect this vehicle may have been manufactured for the European market and later converted for American import. Curiously, it is equipped with sealed beam headlights required by US DOT standards, but was never equipped with safety belts or mounting brackets. This car also came equipped with the rear child seat upgrade which has no provisions for a safety belt either. Adding to the mystery, this car has its original 220 kph German speedometer and German gauges. Furthermore, it was originally equipped with Mercedes high performance 3-piston brake calipers not normally found on cars produced for the American market, so researching this cars factory history might be an interesting adventure. During my 31 year stewardship, this 230SL Pagoda Coupe/Roadster has rested beneath satin sheets secured in my garage. It was meticulously maintained and was only driven occasionally for special treats during clear weather. It only saw rain once. That was the day I discovered the original convertible top was riddled with holes and tears, but it provided enough shelter to return home in damp clothes without getting completely drenched. This auction has NO RESERVE so it may only take one bid to win my car! It could be you, so dont let it get away! Enter your highest bid and let eBays Automatic Bidding Assistant assure your entry is the lowest Winning Bid possible! This 230SL is wrapped in the eternally classic Mercedes light ivory exterior and dashboard trimmed with the original mahogany wood appointments (refinished 25+ years ago) and red padding, red leather seats, and the original red woven pile wool carpeting that is faded, frayed, and needs to be replaced. This car originally came with a blue canvas convertible top. It has a solid functioning frame that needs a small pivot bolt and thrust washer to be reinstalled to connect one of the articulated top frame supports to the driver side door pillar. Those parts remain loose in the top storage well on the driver side. The original Mercedes hard top is included and rapidly converts this roadster into a luxurious coupe. The hardware functions well and would benefit from cleaning and polishing. The rare rear child seat with removable floor and two discrete storage compartments beneath are an original option upgrade infrequently seen on American imports. There are no provisions for a safety belt on this seat. Notes from the factorys installer remain below these items, making this option upgrade distinctively special. The four hub caps and trim rings are original and in a condition sufficient for a daily driver, but not for a show car without restoration. The dealer I purchased this car from claimed the last owner had the engine rebuilt, but I do not know how many kilometers were on the car when those repairs were done. Like most Mercedes from this era, the exhaust releases a puff of blue smoke when the engine first starts. This is usually attributed to deteriorated valve stem seals, so I suggest replacing them if you wish to resolve that issue. Oil consumption was negligible, rarely needing replenishment between changes. The engine spins freely by hand and with the starter, but will not run due to lack of a fuel supply that needs repairs. The compression appears to be even between all cylinders and the motor ran smoothly when the car was retired from service. While in storage the motor was occasionally started and run to operating temperature to keep the seals supple and the internal engine components well lubricated. This 230SL is equipped with its original 4-speed manual transmission. It is in good working condition and the shifts between all gears are crisp, predictable, and smooth. The rear differential seal has a bit of seepage and has not been replaced yet. A new seal is in the glove box and is included with the car. The clutch master cylinder failed in 2008 while the car was in storage, so it was replaced and the clutch slave cylinder was also rebuilt. The clutch disk engages smoothly and has no slippage when shifted into higher gears where the engines torque demands are the greatest. High resolution photos allow you to judge the cars condition. The photos provide the most accurate description. View them super-size to focus in on the details. This car is complete, with the exception of its original tool kit and spare tire cover. All of the serial numbers match, suggesting the engine and drive train components are original to this car. All mechanical aspects were in good working order when the car was retired from service twenty-two years ago. The odometer reads 50,586 kilometers, but the likelyhood it rolled around the clock is possible. It had 43,000 km on it when I bought the car. The paint shines well and could use a fresh coat of wax, but if you want a cream puff the car could use a new coat of paint. The front fenders were replaced during a prior restoration. They are solid and free of the typical rust patterns around the headlights of the Pagoda series. There is a small spot on the left front fender where rust is starting to form below the paint near the drivers door. The inner fender walls are original and in reasonably good shape for their age, but have some rust holes that need repair. Areas of the undercarriage and lower rocker panels have rust damage and will need repairs for a proper restoration. The two hood hinge adjusting bolts on the driver side are stripped and require replacement. This is why paint on the edge of the hood perimeter is chipped and the hood to fender gaps are slightly skewed. This condition may not be visible in the photos. Judicious care is recommended when opening or closing the hood until this repair is completed. The left rear bumper chrome looks great from a distance but has rusted through from behind, has a few small dings, and will need replacement. The trunk fascia behind the right rear bumper and right trunk trim were damaged by a former owner and will eventually need attention also. The original rubber trunk mat has faded to gray and is in good condition for its age. The trunk appears to be solid, but has some light scale rust developing so may just need minor sanding, filling, and a new coat of paint. The spare tire holds air and the original jack is included, but the original tire cover and tool kit were missing when I bought the car. This car had been partially restored by a former owner when I bought it knowing some tender loving care was needed. The first repair was to replace the manual transmission shifter bushings in 1983. Shortly after that, four new Goodyear Vector 4-season radial tires were installed. The sidewalls appear to be in good condition and their treads have 8/32" of rubber remaining. Four new Monroe gas pressurized radial shocks were installed a few months later. These repairs dramatically improved the ride quality and road handling characteristics. This cars handling is superb when driving on highways or on curvy country roads. With its high precision design and outstanding engineering one should expect nothing less from the Mercedes SL. The next repair was to replace the original European 3-piston brake calipers and rotors with new 2-piston calipers with stainless sleeves, new rotors and brake pads. The rear brake shoes and wheel cylinders were also replaced. The front wheel bearings were cleaned, inspected, repacked with fresh grease and adjusted when the front brake overhaul was performed. Last weeks inspection of the rear brakes and drums indicated the outer rubber protective covers on the wheel cylinders have deteriorated, but there does not appear to be any leaks visible on the backing plates or inside of the drums. The rear drums appear to be original and are in good condition. While in storage the emergency brake was engaged for safety measures and the cables were frozen when I pulled the car out of the garage. The rear brakes were freed but the emergency brake cables may require further attention and fresh lubrication. The brake pedal holds pressure and the brakes function well at walking speed, but it is difficult to assess operability at normal speeds without the engine running to engage the brake power booster. Some bleeding of the brake lines will likely be needed due to their lack of use. The heater fan motor failed in the late 1980s and was replaced with an aftermarket motor because Mercedes discontinued that part. Standard maintenance and occasional repairs were performed while the car was registered and in active service. Spare filters will be included in the sale. I performed a temporary fiberglass repair to fix a small hole in the driver side floor while the car was in storage. The latest issue I discovered is the drivers door lock no longer functions with the key or interior lever and something is rattling within the door, so a piece of linkage may have become dislodged causing this malfunction. The passenger door lock functions properly. Both doors close smoothly with the sound of precision and quality. The door panels are original and in fair condition for their age, but are showing signs of shrinkage near the rear edge of the door. This car has remained parked in storage since 1992, so I recommend all fluids and filters be replaced, and the fuel and hydraulic lines, hoses, calipers, and rear wheel cylinders be checked, flushed, and repaired as necessary prior to driving the car. The undercarriage has some rusted areas that need repairs, but there were no noticeable handling issues when the car was on the road. The primary fuel system needs immediate repairs to the fuel pump and gas tank to get the engine running, so I highly recommend transporting this car by means of a professional car hauler for long distance deliveries, or for short distances hire a professional towing service with a flatbed for transport to the cars final destination. As an additional consideration, I am including my two shop repair manuals (one published by Mercedes) and an owners manual with this car. Please review all photos, description, all auction terms, and ask questions prior to bidding. I have described this vehicle to the best of my ability, but since this is a 48 year old car that has been in storage for many years, there may be other issues I have forgotten or am not aware of that may need attention during the completion of its restoration. Thank you again for visiting my listing. Please review the positive feedback record I have earned and striven to maintain since I began selling on eBay in 2007. Each of us have unique perspectives and see things differently, so my hope is you will feel my description is accurate within reason, the photos were adequate to assess condition of the car, and the sale of this car will be a win-win for both of us. I look forward to sharing this splendid vehicle with the Lucky Winning Bidder after this auction ends and fully cleared payment has been received. Good luck to all bidders and thank you again for your interest in my car! A non-refundable PayPal deposit defined in the Shipping & Payments Section is due within 24 hours after auction closing. Remainder of winning bid is due within three calendar days of auction closing by Certified Bank Check, USPS Money Orders or full remainder of cash upon pickup. Lucky Winning Bidder has seven calendar days after full payment is received to take possession of the vehicle. Thank you! Winner is responsible for arranging pickup and/or shipment of this vehicle within 7 calendar days after fully cleared payment has been received. You will be notified after the balance remainder has been received. Directions to pickup location will be provided after payment in full is received. I will gladly assist with loading the vehicle onto a trailer or flatbed when the pickup occurs. Review the shipping tab for quotes from professional shippers endorsed by eBay. FedEx also ships vehicles and U-Haul rents vehicle transport gear if you have a hitch. PayPal payment of a non-refundable deposit stipulated in the Shipping & Payments Section is due within 24 hours of auction closing. Remainder of winning bid is due by US Mail within three calendar days after auction closing. All sales are final with no returns, meaning "AS IS" with no warranty express or implied. Please ask questions before bidding. Invoice must be paid in full before pickup or shipment occurs. View all photos, item description, and all auction terms before bidding. Vehicle must be picked up within 7 calendar days after remainder of payment is received. Click Here to add me to your Favorite Sellers List. Click Here to visit my other Auctions. Please contact me with comments or questions about this auction before bidding ends by using the "contact seller" link on this auction page. If there are any problems or questions about your item after you receive it please contact me so I can help.