1966 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

W113 230SL Convertible

6 - Cyl.

Manual

Clear

Gasoline

Classbenz is proud to offer this incredible California 1966 Mercedes 230SL ‘Survivor’. Sporty & Elegant. Not many 230SLs still exist with Four Speed 'stick shift' in this color combo with extensive history*. Let the bidding begin @ $19.66 1966 was the last year of 230SL model production with less than 5000 cars built. The 230SL was the purest of the Pagoda series It was the lightest and had sportiest feel. She is clearly set apart from the rest! Unlike the bulk of SLs on the market that are either rusted European imports or recent amateur restorations With this car "You see what you get" and "Get what you are paying for". Finished in Dark Ivory complimented by rich Tobacco interior, matching canvas roof and oatmeal carpet. She has been well taken care of and it shows... The mileage reads 36,848 and by the look and feel of the car one might assume that is total miles but odometer has turned over. This just adds to the undeniable fact that the car was well maintained and garaged. Car is in motion and all gagues reading correctly at optimum levels. She runs strong & cool with great oil pressure. 1966 year model and first registered in California in 1966. VIN# 11304210012594 Its stunning color combination of Dark Ivory and Tobacco is seductive yet understated. Options: 4speed manual transmission Power disc brakes (front) Hard top & Tobacco German canvas Soft top Over 30 years of records this special auto has one of the most comprehensive service files we’ve seen yet. !!! The previous owner since 1982 was so meticulous and spared no expense on repairs regardless of whether it needed or not. Imagine that even after passing stringent Ca emission test he wanted to have more crisp power so he paid $6276 for a complete engine rebuild (approximately 9k miles ago in 1995) and subsequent $1098 for upgraded valve guides. Mobil 1 synthetic oil has been used since engine overhaul. A heap of service receipts totaling well over $20,000(we stopped counting). Several factory booklets also accompany the car. The car has been garaged and pampered its entire life. In 1963 a 4 speed 230 SL (like ours) was raced in Montreaux and clocked in just 2/10th of a second slower than a Ferrari 250 GTO. Subsequently the same car won 1st place in the Spa Sophia Liege rally. After driving this particularly fast 230 we are believers!!! This is one of the fastest 113 series SLs we have driven. It feels quicker than any 280 SL we’ve tested (probably due to the high quality engine rebuild and valve grind). Remarkably, the car still looks great and gets non-stop compliments. The best way to describe this car is a special 1966 230SL: gorgeous with a lovely patina. She is a quintessential Unrestored California survivor with the right provenance. Gracefully aged like a fine wine. Plenty of flavor. The car is does show some minor cosmetic imperfections which are typical with normal ageing: checking, lifting, fading and stress marks. Nothing that detracts from cars clean overall appearance and just add to her character.The paint was refinished several years ago approximating original color #181. Referred to as Dark Ivory or Sahara beige (depending on whose book you read) and still has great shine. The car runs and drives well without hesitation. This 2.3 litre engine’s torque and power are impressive. We have chosen to show this car in its natural state not freshly detailed to highlight its clean originality. This is the way the car was kept Showing the car taken in her preservation. All of the money in the world cannot recreate a rustfree California car. If many of the cars offered were as clean and well maintained as this one they would never have needed restoration. The Mercedes SL’s are really 2 cars in one. A civilized coupe with hardtop or a fun convertible with soft top for inclement weather. Matching Tobacco German Soft top is many years old and still serviceable with some graceful wear on it. For those unfamiliar with the SL: "When the SL was introduced in 1963, its styling made it a hallmark among grand touring cars. Even today, the crisp lines and pagoda roof still look fresh. ““In terms of performance and its market, the 230SL (and later 280) sat squarely between its predecessors the 190SL and the 300SL. In essence it was thought to be good enough to replace both! It was a more usable car in every way.... It was so competent and no real quirks to its character...The truth is that the 230 handles much better than the 300 SL. They are much more powerful than the 190SL, and are more comfortable, easier to maintain and safer than either."" Illustrated Mercedes-Benz Buyers Guide by Lee Gohlike. “A revolutionary design for the Mercedes SL model line, dressed in elegantly squared surfaces and proportions and offered as a GT two-seater roadster or coupe. It was a drastic restyle when compared to it predecessors. " “It was not only a fast car but a safe car with its use of deformation zones located in the front and the rear. The 230 SL was the first series of the SL nick named “pagoda”. It was superior to previous models (190 SL and 220SE). Inline-six cylinder engine and outfitted with front disc brakes and a single pivot independent rear suspension. The 230SL was capable of 120 mph" (Illustrated Mercedes-Benz Buyers Guide by Lee Gohike). Beautiful ‘Tobacco with Oatmeal’ interior is in quite fine condition . The chrome and wood accents add to the luxurious feel. Interior appears stock with exception of the vintage Pioneer casette stereo. Original hole for radio is still unmolested if one wishes to install one of their choosing. Even the clock works. Incredibly, she appears to have much of her original trim and rubber. Chrome is not perfect with some minor fading, thinning and pitting in spots but is and in quite good shape especially for its age. The bright work has nice subtle shine adding to the cars patina. 14 inch steel wheels with color coded hubcaps and chrome trim rings unique to the early Pagodas. New owner will definitely need to replace old tires with rubber of his/her choosing. Due to its 150 horsepower fuel injected engine the car starts easily, accelerates smoothly and strongly. The 4 speed trans definitely lets more power to the road. The engine bay is nice, clean and stock and has not been detailed. Stunning California underside! Incredible dry California floors. California features some of the best car bottoms on the planet. This spectacular auto represents great value with many 280SLs trading in the 50k range. It may stand out even more than some of its very expensive cousins. She runs and drives nearly identical to 1971 280SL and may have even better performance and can be had at a more affordable price. The tasteful timeless elegance & purity of design this car cannot be ignored. Limited production car with 4 speed & dynamic color combo. A fully provinanced California Survivor = Sure bet. Ready to serve the proud new owner in impeccable style for decades to come. Turn the key and go! Don't let this one pass you by. We reserve the right to end auction early for the proper “Buy It Now offer" vehicle may be offered for sale locally If you need additional information E-mail us thru ebay All emails: include your ***PHONE# Or call Jim at (818) 648-5223 (9:00AM to 5PM Pacific time) We can arrange shipping world door to door at buyers’ expense. So international bidders welcome Conditions Please read carefully: Sales are Final "AS-IS" & "WHERE-IS" No Contingencies, Nor Re-Negotiations of Any Kind. No post auction inspection contingencies. NO warranty of any type is expressed or implied. This car being used in excess of 40 years old: Vehicle may have blemishes, defects and flaws which we have done our best to disclose. Some information included in this advert may be based on information related to us by previous owners or other sources and we simply pass on: i.e. history, numbers matching, color names etc. We do not assume liability. Please do you own research. Seller cannot warranty that vehicle will pass any inspections required in other states emissions or otherwise. Odometer readings on vehicles in excess of ten years old cannot be verified and may or may not be actual and not guaranteed by seller(5 digit odometer turned over). Buyer is invited to pick up item in person. Seller will not be liable for any shipping/towing costs, airfares or any other inconvenience or expenses on part of the buyer. (In case of dispute buyer pays full roundtrip shipping) Seller reserves right to end auction early If buyer does not contact seller within 24 hours seller may sell item to other buyer. License plate for photographic purposes only. CA ID 012594230SL. All vehicles offered have clear California title Ad copy including text, layout, and content are intellectual property of Classbenz and are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written permission from author Bidding By placing a bid you have agreed to all terms of sale (both those included in the eBay contract and those specified in this auction). Ask the questions first. As No bid retractions will be tolerated Bidders with "0" or "negative" feedback must contact seller before bidding DO NOT bid based on Financing** or any other contingency Winning bidder legally obligated to buy at end auction (once reserve met) No underage bidders: parents legally accountable Any interference or attempted fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Payment 10% of sale price to be paid to seller due within 48 hours of auction end (unless otherwise agreed upon writing). Full payment is required within 4 days of end auction. NO credit cards, PayPal or Escrow. No Financing Cash in person or bank to bank wire transfer: If need other arrangements must confirm with seller via E-mail before last two days of auction. Buyer pays any tax, title, transfer, or associated fees (if applicable). No vehicle will be release by seller without funds being cleared by our bank. Shipping Seller can arrange at buyers expense (international also)