1965 | Mercedes-Benz 230 SL

This absolutely beautiful right-hand drive, UK-market 230SL, still in its original colours, has recently benefitted from a £175k restoration.

Finished in 050 White with black MB Tex trim, it has a four-speed manual gearbox and the desirable option of power steering. First registered AHJ146C when new, it remained in the UK for 35 years until it moved to Ireland until 2014 when it came back to the UK to be auctioned by H&H and purchased by its current owner and returned to its original registration.

Although all seemed initially well with the car, a more thorough inspection, in preparation for some international road rallying, revealed that all was not well beneath the car’s bright appearance.

What followed was a total nut and bolt restoration, finished in 2019 by Aston Martin specialists, Goldsmith & Young. The car was stripped to a shell, the shell placed on a jig and completely rebuilt with new panels where required, including the hardtop. The engine, axle, brakes and suspension were all completely rebuilt as a matter of course. The tyres (Michelin), gauges, exhaust, steering box, clutch, radiator, headlining, rubber seals to name but a few items that were either replaced with new or refurbished. All detailed in the extensive bill totalling £175,722.36.

The owner’s aim was to create an excellent example to use and enjoy (unlike most garage queen restored Pagodas) on international navigational rallying events. After restoration was complete, the car has taken part in rallies ranging from The Three Castles in the UK to the Paris Biarritz where it finished first overall, and the Dolomite Challenge where it achieved third in its class in 2024. The car still has its Brantz tripmeter, which will be removed unless arranged otherwise by the buyer.

The bodywork is beautiful outside and underneath with excellent panel fit, correct dimples inboard of the headlamps and of course zero corrosion or poor previous repairs. There just remains a little scope for the next owner to go further - refinishing a few cosmetic ‘bolt-on’ trim pieces, for example - if desired, which were not covered in the rebuild.

The 230 SLs are known to be the sportiest of the Pagodas and much more of a driving enthusiast car than the boulevard-cruiser automatics so loved by the American market.

A fabulous opportunity to take advantage of a previous owner’s expenditure at half the price, original colours and right-hand drive.