1965 Mercedes-Benz 200-Series

4-speed

This 1965 230 SL VIN11304210007792is a great restoration project for a competent enthusiast or a professionalspeculator. While the challenges will be great, so will the rewards. Thechallenges are obvious in the pictures: lots of rust repair. The good news,however, is that the basic unibody structure and the critical subframe mountpints are in fine condition. Most of your work will be in the common problemareas of the rocker ends, floorboards, and inner fenders, as well as bit ofrepair to at least one fender lip (Bud's Benz or K&K MFG has every panelyou'll need just a phone call away). Also good to know is that virtually everypart of the car is present and accounted for, with the exception of the grillestar. The chrome is all there, with really decent bumpers, but will all needreplating, along with some dent repair. The dash is complete, sans steeringwheel (sorry, I'm keeping the Nardi) and radio and one heater lever. Thehardtop is in really very good condition, requiring only repaint and woodrepair (try Drew at Heritage Woodworks). The difficult to fix headliner isnearly perfect! The softtop frame is likewise is fine condition and operateseasily (in fact the chroming is better than on my own '70 280SL - they musthave cheapened the plating). Seats are there, and while I'd certainly recommendnew covers and cushions, they could be used "as is" (aint MB Tex somethin'?). A very special added attraction is a factory-installed sidewaysfacing "Kinder" seat in terrific condition, requiring only minor workto the wood floorboard (though keep your carpet scraps to get the propercarpets made for the footwell area). The engine is also complete and featuresthe rare and valuable 4-speed manual box. The oil in the engine is clear andthere does not seem to be any faults or significant corrosion. It turns over byhand. There is no indication of coking or overheating or neglect. I suspect itis all original by the condition of the very fine heat shield, something thatalmost always gets mangled or lost in a typical small shop overhaul. As foryour rewards, aside from the breathtaking acceleration in Pagoda pricing of thelast year or so, you will be really pleased with the drive of an early 113, ifyou have not driven one before. I've had many SLs, from 230's to my two current280's (including a manual 1970), but the most fun SL is the early 230 manual.The 2.3 was a 5-main bearing engine, cammed before the pollution control era,so it really revs like a sports car should. It will tach the spooky high 6500redline in a heartbeat with the straightshift. The unassisted steering is workto park, but gives fantastic response on the road. And who doesn't love thestripped down look of an early SL without the goofy headrests, bumper guards,and side markers of later cars? Please feel free to ask any questions and ifthey are germane I'll post them here. Please also go to You Tube for a coupleshort walk-around videos of the cars. Overseas buyers are encouraged, buteveryone should keep two things in mind: I will not move the car until all fundsare in and cleared, and two, I'll help your shipper, but it is yourresponsibility, financially and logistically, to get the car moved. Please also go to You Tube and ask for "body walkaround 1, body walkaround 2 and engine walkaround" for much more detailed info. Thanks for looking. On May-16-12 at 05:50:00 PDT, seller added the following information: You Tube links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChCZ9oVDwj0, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NZDynZ9puw, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5jsx7xu-KkOn May-16-12 at 07:57:24 PDT, seller added the following information: See more pictures at: http://s729.photobucket.com/albums/ww295/jbirdga/1965%20230SL/