1967 Mercedes-Benz 230 Series

The Mercedes-Benz 230 SL was introduced at the 1963 Frankfurt Auto Show and was internally referred to as the W-113. The 230 SL put emphasis on safety and comfort and was powered by a 2281cc six-cylinder engine fitted with a Bosch fuel-injection system. They were the first Mercedes-Benz automobile to be fitted with an alternator as standard equipment. Another feature of the SL was that it had one of the industry's first uses of a multi-purpose control stalk for lights and wipers.

The 230 SL had a similar wheelbase to its predecessor, the 190 SL and was only 1.5 inches longer in overall length. They were a bit heavier with rather stout construction and were considered one of the sturdiest sports cars in production at the time.

In the front was a broad grille in a similar fashion to the 300 SL, albeit in a squared-up shape. Just like its predecessor, it was available as a roadster, roadster/coupe, or coupe. They had the distinctive roofline known as the so-called 'pagoda' roof, which was designed by Paul Bracq and Bela Barenyi. The upright roofline contained lots of glass area, with raised sides and a lower center panel instead of curving conventionally upwards toward the middle, à la the Japanese pagoda.

Mercedes-Benz continued production of the 230 SL models until the 250 SL made its debut at the 1967 Geneva Show. Only 185 examples were produced for the 1967 model year, out of a total of 19,831 produced.

The Mercedes-Benz 230 S (W111), also known as the Heckflosse, or 'Fintail,' was produced between 1959 and 1971, including four-door saloons from 1959 to 1968, and two-door coupes and cabriolets from 1961 to 1971. A total of 41,107 230S saloons were built through January 1968. Equipped with the same 140.8 cubic-inch overhead-cam six-cylinder engine, the Mercedes-Benz 230 produced 118 horsepower at 5,400 and the 230S delivered 135 hp at 5,600 RPM. The wheelbase measured 108.3 inches and had an overall length of 191.9 inches.

In the United States, the 230 four-door saloon had a base price of approximately $4,300, and the 230S saloon at $4,900.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019