Mercedes-Benz W 113. The Pagode has been around for sixty years. Part 1: The 230 SL (1963-1967)

At the March 1963 Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz presented the new 230 SL. The beautiful Gran Turismo from Sindelfingen faced the challenge of replacing two extremely popular sports cars: the 190 SL (W 121) and 300 SL (W 198). Internally referred to as the W113 series, it is said to symbolize high performance and the most advanced features for optimum driving safety. And last but not least: from the very beginning, the W 113 was loved for its extraordinarily elegant design. In three parts we take you to the history of this beautiful Mercedes-Benz. Today you will read part 1, in which we describe the period 1963-1967.

Three versions

The debutant within the W 113 series from Mercedes-Benz was therefore the 230 SL. This was available in three versions from the summer of 1963: a roadster with a folding hood that was easy to operate. The second version was the open-top version with the soft top and the removable hard top. The third version was the hardtop coupe. The latter had no soft top and therefore no compartment to store the soft top. On the other hand, the latest version offered more space for luggage. The three versions could all be driven open. A rear seat was available as an option, as in the 190 SL.

Characteristic lines

The exterior of the 230 SL was characterized by clear, straight lines and the unmistakable SL face including the large, centrally placed Mercedes star. The bonnet had a slight extra bulge in the center to accommodate the vertically mounted six-cylinder engine. The trunk was spacious. The hardtop with high windows and a roof supported only by slender pillars gave an impression of lightness that simply did not match the stereotype of a sports car. With its inward curvature, it is reminiscent of Far Eastern temples, and the car was already nicknamed before it really hit the road: Pay of. In addition, the shape of the hardtop made it easier to get in and out.

Security solutions

There was also a lot of attention for safety solutions. These were credited to Béla Barényi, who applied his previous experiences at Mercedes-Benz to the Pagode. The interior had no protruding parts, and the body was kept rigid and equipped with crumple zones. Mercedes-Benz claimed that the W 113 was the first sports car with such a safety feature. The steering gear was further moved to a safe place. The steering column was constructed in such a way that it folded away in the event of an accident.

Proven chassis, sporty modifications

The new 230 SL in 1963 had practically no similarities with its predecessors, although the wheelbase remained the same at 2 meters 40. The technical concept did correspond to that of the 220 SEb (W 111/3). The front and rear wheel suspension were the same as those of the Heckflosse, the rear therefore had the swing axle construction. The chassis was basically the same, although it was shortened by thirty centimeters and strengthened. The W 113 series received the features of a sports car, such as recirculating ball steering, a double braking system and disc brakes on the front wheels. The suspension was basically sporty, without the manufacturers losing sight of its comfortable features. , but had comfortable features. The new 230 S was fitted with gas-filled shock absorbers for damping. Remarkable: for the first time, a Mercedes-Benz passenger car was running on radial tyres.

M 127 engine modified

The M 127 II engine of the new 230 SL was fundamentally descended from the 220 SEb (M 127 III) power source. However, the engine was modified for the W 113. The injection pump received six instead of two plungers, giving the engine the character of a direct injection. Furthermore, the bore of the engine was enlarged. As a result, the power source had a displacement of 2.3 liters, which was good for 150 DIN hp and a torque of 196 Nm at 4200 rpm. The top of the 230 SL was around 200 kilometers per hour, and that was a solid value in 1963.

Multiple transmission modes

The four-speed gearbox, also from the 220 SEb, was also tuned (gear ratios) for sporty performance. In addition to the standard four-speed manual transmission, a four-speed automatic transmission was available as an option for the first time in an SL. A five-speed manual transmission produced by Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen (ZF) was added as a third variant in May 1966. The automatic transmission and the optional power steering became - as it turned out - popular options. It indicated that a sports car (especially within the higher price ranges) would lend itself perfectly to comfortable options.

Direct winner of Liège-Sofia-Liège

In August 1963 Eugen Böhringer and Klaus Kaiser won the monster rally Liège-Sofia-Liège (Marathon de la Route) with the new Pagode (and an engine enlarged to 2.6 liters for the rally with 170 DIN hp and more torque). The number 39 SL was based on a pre-production car. It received the typical rally modifications of the era. Examples are the mounting of a reinforced suspension and larger tanks. After the victory, the car, including all traces of its participation in the rally, was exhibited at the Mercedes-Benz stand of the IAA in Frankfurt in 1963, where the W 113 series also had its official German premiere.

Debutant built almost 20.000 times

The 230 SL kicked off in a good way for the Pagode, or the W 113 from Mercedes-Benz. In February, after 19.831 units had been built, he handed over the baton to the 250 SL.