MERCEDES-BENZ: The Fifties, Volume 1

                           Introduction
 
 
 
 
 
© 2024 Bernd S. Koehling
All Rights Reserved

Excerpts from the book:


Mercedes 230 SL
At the end of the 1950s, Mercedes-Benz customers never had it so good. For the truly luxury inclined, a big and luxurious four-door cabriolet was available in form of the most expensive car, Daimler-Benz had to offer, the 300d Cabriolet. In 1959 the car found 23 customers, who were willing to pay 37,000.- DM (9,250.- US$) for the automatic version. If you thought that a luxury cabriolet should never have more than two doors, the 220SE cabriolet was the right choice for you and could be bought for 23,400.- DM (5,850.- US$). In that year around 270 customers made themselves very happy. For the fast and furious, the 300SL Roadster was the ultimate driving machine. 211 units were sold in 1959 at a price of 34,000.- DM (8,500.- US$), hardtop included. If you liked the looks of the SL but preferred something more docile, the 190SL could be yours for 17,650.- DM (4,410.- US$), again hardtop included. 3,949 buyers liked this concept in 1959.

In mid 1963 that world had changed completely. None of these cars existed anymore. All four cars had been great for the image of Daimler-Benz, but except for the Mercedes 190SL, none of them had made the company any money, most probably they had been sold below actual production costs. If there would have been a new Mercedes SL and the 190SL was living proof that such a car could be sold in reasonable numbers, it had to be based on technology and parts from the sedans. If only the 300SL would have existed, the Mercedes SL concept would have died with that car>>>

What does the book offer:
Updated in Dec. 2016, this 180-page book gives you all the pagoda facts. No other e-book covers the pagoda SL in this detail. These are some of the topics discussed:
* the
development and history of the pagoda series, all upgrades included
* a comprehensive buyer's guide will help you to find the W113 that suits you best
* chassis number and data card are explained in great detail
* over 120 mostly recent non-Daimler AG color photos highlight many interesting features, this includes pictures of the suspension and it
* deals with rare coach-built versions.

A separate part covers technical features and production history. One chapter is devoted to Karl Wilfert, whom most people will not know today. He ran for two decades the Daimler-Benz styling department, which was also responsible for the design of automobiles like the W113. Enjoy!

Interested to read more about the Mercedes pagoda SL, its history and what people, who owned a 230 SL back in the 1960s, felt about their car? Then please go either here for the printed book and e-book. If you do not live in the US, please select it from your respective country website of Amazon.
Mercedes 230 SL, fls
Mercedes 230 SL, interior
Mercedes 230 SL
The following videos are copied from youtube for your viewing pleasure. Some of them contain cars filmed by commercial vendors. I am not associated with them
Mercedes 230 SL History Video Mercedes 280 SL Video Mercedes 230 SL Drive Video

MERCEDES 230 SL - 280 SL

Mercedes 230 SL - 280 SL W113 (1963-1971)

Great books and e-books about Mercedes cars of the 1960s