1963 Mercedes-Benz 230SL Coupe

Designed by the renowned American auto designer, Tom Tjaarda, it was built by Italy's premier carrozzerias (coachbuilder) Pininfarina S.p.A. to Enzo Ferrari, Lancia and Alfa Romeo among others. This one-of-a-kind was built for German publisher Alex Springer. It was first shown in 1964 at the 51st International Paris Show. It is best known for being the only SL model with a hardtop rather than a convertible and custom-built at a time when most other SLs were being mass-produced. The body was redesigned from the doors back to enable the coupe to support the fixed roof and resembles Pininfarina's famous 1964 Ferrari 250GT Berlinetta Lusso and later 1966 330 GTC, making its profile uniquely different from production models. While prior owners changed the body color twice, it has been returned to its original silver color. It has been restored by Hjeltness Restoration, Inc. of Escondido, California.