1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL

Production of the 190SL and the 300SL came to an end in 1963, and a worthy successor to the SL name was needed, and this was no small task to fill. Mercedes-Benz introduced the 230SL (W113) at Geneva Salon in March of 1963, being more of a spiritual follower than direct descent. It was a landmark model that founded a sports car dynasty that would prove to be a commercial success for Mercedes-Benz. The Mercedes-Benz 230SL was a departure from the traditional Mercedes styling cues of rounded, sweeping lines, and became far squarer, and its design was modern yet elegant. A tall removable hardtop, penned by designer Paul Bracq, offered easy access, comfortable driving, and great visibility. Its nickname, 'pagoda', was in reference to its slightly concave center section with raised edges which created a distinct look.

The interior offered plush seats, large, readable gauges, a Blaupunkt radio, and fine-quality craftsmanship. The body design was new while the running gear was a conventional Mercedes-Benz setup featuring a monocoque chassis derived from the 220 sedan. It had an independent suspension (by swing axles at the rear), power-assisted rear drums, Girling front disc brakes, and a four-speed manual or automatic transmission. Power came from a 2.3-liter, Bosch fuel-injected, overhead-cam inline six-cylinder unit offering a top speed in excess of 120 mph. Often overshadowed by the 280SL, the 2.3 litre engine runs on four crankshaft main bearings instead of seven, resulting in a more free-revving power source with greater versatility. Thus, the 230SL was an ideal candidate for rallies and touring with Mercedes-Benz entering three rallies in period with Pagodas and using 230SLs in all of them, including a victory in the grueling 6,600km Spa-Sofia-Liège Rally in 1963.

The Mercedes-Benz 230 SL was a significant change in direction for the Super Light line, with an emphasis on luxury while retraining its sporty persona and intentions, something lead engineer Fritz Nallinger termed 'motoring happiness'. It had clean, elegant styling that was not too extravagant or overly aggressive. The new 230 SL was a sales success and immediately doubled the best results of the previous 190SL.

The 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL
The 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL was priced at nearly $6,200 in the United States for the roadster and $6,345 for the coupe. The inline, overhead-cam six-cylinder engine had a cast iron block, aluminum head, four main bearings, solid valve lifters, a Bosch multi-point fuel injection system, and delivered 170 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 145 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 RPM. The transmission was a four-speed manual as standard with an automatic optional. Disc brakes were at the front and drums were at the rear. The steering was via a recirculating ball and the suspension employed unequal-length A-arms at the front with coil springs and anti-roll bar. The wheelbase measured 94.5 inches, was 51.3 inches tall, 69.2 inches wide, and it had an overall length of 169 inches.

In late 1966, the 230 SL was replaced by the 250SL.

by Daniel Vaughan | Apr 2019