Mercedes-Benz W113
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The Mercedes-Benz W113 automobiles were produced from 1963 through 1971. They were sold as the "pagoda-roof" SL-Class. The W113 replaced the W198 SL-Class in 1963 and was replaced by the R107 SL-Class in 1972.
All models boast an in-line six cylinder engine with multi-port fuel injection using a mechanical pump system adapted from the diesel motors. All are rear wheel drive, but are also equipped with independent rear suspension, a feature that greatly improved road handling. Most of these early SLs were sold with both the removable hard top and a soft top, although "Califorinia Roadster" versions came with the removable hardtop but no soft top. In these models, the soft top well (between the passenger compartment and trunk) is removed, and a "kinder-seat" (childrens-seat) is installed in it's place. The rear seat is small and not very useful, so these models are rather rare, and not especially popular with collectors today. While the SLs are relatively heavy compared to other similar size sport roadsters, weight was reduced in part by the use of aluminum panels for the trunk lid, front hood, and door skins.
Production began in 1963 with the 2.3 liter 230SL. These models were commonly 4-speed manual transmission cars, but a 3-speed automatic transmission was also available and was popular for U.S. market cars. The 230SL sported front disc / rear drum power assisted brakes. They quickly gained popularity in the U.S. market, and this eventually led to more and more cars being built with automatic transmissions.
The 250SL was basically a one-year model, 1967, although many were sold in, and titled as, 1968 model year cars. This model is the rarest of the W113 cars. The main changes were the use of a 2.5 liter motor and addition of rear disc brakes. The 250SL retains the stiffer suspension and sportier feel of the early SL's but provides significantly improved performance, especially given the engines wider power band. The 250SL was also available (rarely) with a ZF 5-speed manual transmission.
The 2.8 liter 280SL was introduced in 1968 and continued production largely unchanged through 1971 when the W113 was replaced by the entirely new, and substantially heavier, R107 350SL/450SL. Most 280SL cars built for the U.S. market were equipped with automatic transmission. Manual transmission cars are somewhat rare in the U.S. market and are therefore sought after by American collectors. In the European market manual transmission cars were still dominant.
These cars are also popular as U.S. gray market vehicles. That is, cars brought to the U.S. from Europe some years after original production. The European market cars have a number of subtle differences from U.S. market cars. The most visible is the distinctive European 'fishbowl' headlights versus U.S. sealed beam bulb headlights. Somewhat less known is that European cars were using yellow lenses on the rear turn signals much earlier that were cars in the U.S. which were required by law to use all red tail lights (U.S. laws were eventually changed to allow yellow turn signals). Other differences include the metric gauges and the relative rarity of air conditioning in European models. Gray market cars are also often equipped with an "add-on" red emergency flasher, a safety requirement for cars brought into the U.S. that was not a standard feature in the European market until later production years.
The W113 Pagoda is today considered a highly desirable collectors car. The 280SL is the most common, and generally the most popular car. The 250SL, being quite a bit rarer, is also popular with purist collectors who prefer the somewhat stiffer suspension and sportier feel of the earlier cars, but also appreciate the improved performance of the 2.5 liter engine, and the addition of rear disk brakes. The 230SL is widely available, but demands a lower price due mainly to the less potent performance delivered by the smaller engine. Buyers of these vintage autos should look closely for rust, especially in the floors, trunk, and under the doors. These cars, while generally well cared for, are known for having rust problems. Replacement parts including engine, transmission, interior, and rust repair panels are readily available making restoration a viable alternative.
Vehicles:
| Mercedes-Benz road car timeline, 1946-1970s | [[Template:Mercedes-Benz vehicles|later-->]] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class | Type | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||||
| 4-cylinder | sedan | W136/W191 | W120/W121 | W110 | W115 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| roadster | W121 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6-cylinder | sedan | W187 | W105/W180/W128 | W111 | W114 | W123 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| coupe | W187 | W180/W128 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| large | sedan | W186/W189 | W111 | W108/W109 | W116 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| luxury | W188 | W112 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| limousine | W186/W189 | W112 | W100 (600) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| sports | roadster | W198 | W113 | R107 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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