1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 SL Four-Speed

Description

Hagerty Marketplace is honored to offer a selection of vehicles from the SugarCreek Collection. This private collection in southeastern Ohio is supported by its own in-house restoration and maintenance shop, with a full-time staff of craftsmen. The garage is a true spectrum of car enthusiast dreams, ranging from unfinished restorations to the most recent SEMA-exhibited 1,000 horsepower 1962 Dodge Power Wagon. Sixteen select cars from the collection are being offered in time for the holidays. Whether awaiting restoration, preserved showroom stock, restored to like-new, or tastefully modified, these cars and trucks are truly SugarCreek quality.

The Geneva Motor Show in March 1963 marked the debut of the Daimler-Benz Type 230 SL, a sports car designed to replace the popular 190 SL and legendary 300 SL. This new model faced significant challenges due to the differing design philosophies of its predecessors. Instead of leaning heavily towards either the rugged roadster or the luxurious boulevard cruiser, the 230 SL aimed to be a comfortable two-seater GT, balancing excellent performance with safety.

While retaining the same 2400 mm wheelbase as its predecessors, the W 113 model introduced a largely new construction based on the 220 SE, incorporating a reinforced framework and advanced suspension systems. Notably, it was the first sports car to feature a safety body with a rigid passenger cell and deformation zones, principles derived from Béla Barényi’s innovative designs. This also included the unique removable hardtop with a concave, avant-garde shape, which contributed to the car's structural rigidity and improved visibility. With a similar design cue, the distinctive shape of the hard top earned the “Pagoda” nickname.

On February 27, 1967, the 250 SL was unveiled as the successor to the 230 SL, maintaining the same exterior design but featuring significant updates. The engine's cubic capacity was increased by 200 cc, delivering higher torque, while the braking system was enhanced with rear disc brakes. With a welcome addition of the more powerful engine, the rarely seen 250 SL models continue to hold appeal with enthusiasts today for their wonderful blending of style, usability, and comfort nearly 60 years after their production ceased.

Highlights

• Offered from the SugarCreek Collection

• The rarest of the “Pagoda” models, with just 5,196 examples produced

• Retained and maintained by the collection for the past 16 years

• Powered by a 2.5-liter “M129” inline-six rated at 150 horsepower

• Desirable four-speed manual transmission

• Kuhlmeister air conditioning

• Finished in Ascot (Arabian Grey) paint with matching removeable hardtop

• Black interior and soft top

• The Data Plate decodes as

  • 491 – US Version

  • 503 – Outside rear view mirror, on the left side

  • 515 – Radio Becker AM, FM, USA

  • 124 – Ascot (Arabian Grey) paint

Features

• Recentlyreplaced front brake calipers and rear brake hoses

• 14 inch painted steel wheels with color matched hubcaps

• Mastercraft A/S IV steel-belted radial tires

• Becker Europa TR radio

• Independent front suspension

• Power steering

• Four-wheel power disc brakes

• Manual roll-up side windows

• Dual zone heating

• Door mounted arm rests

• Padded sun visors with passenger side vanity mirror

• Steering wheel / ignition lock

• Door mounted map pockets

• Cigar lighter

• Lockable glove compartment

• Bucket seats

• Dash mounted VDO clock

• Illuminated glove compartment

Known Imperfections

• Air conditioning switches are inoperative

• The clock is inoperative

• Windshield wipers are inoperative

• Inoperative radio

• Minor fluid leaks

• Instrument panel wood is warped

• Minor pitting of chrome trim

• Dent in grille chrome

• Paint chip in hood on driver’s side edge

• Paint chip near hardtop driver’s side edge back corner

• Firewall pad deteriorated

• Rust hole in driver’s side rear bumper

• Cracks in steering wheel

• Crazing on gauge bezels

Included

• Hard top

• Factory tool roll

• Spare tire

Ownership History

As a long-standing member of the SugarCreek Collection, this 1968 Mercedes-Benz 250 SL was acquired in 2008 is its current condition.

Additional Notes

A Broad Arrow Auctions Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.

Contact: Matt Lowney Phone: 623.308.2640 email: mlowney@hagerty.com