In 1977 I have been searching for a Mercedes type W113 "Pagoda". Starting from 1971 the type R/C107 was available and the predecessor was not yet considered a collector's car. The preferred colour was either silver with dark blue leather and canvas top or burgundy red metallic with beige interior. Both tops and automatic transmission was a must. After a couple of months and a number of examined cars I decided in favour of the 280SL, model year 1970 with 85'000 km from a first (lady-) owner although it was light blue metallic with "parchment" genuine leather interior. This car has replaced my previous AU1000 Sp Roadster. It was initially used almost daily as the second family car.

Technical Data: Engine: Type M 130, 6 cylinders in row, 2778 ccm, 170 HP Mechanical fuel injection with 6- element plunger pump Drive Train: 4- speed automatic transmission with hydrodynamic clutch (no torque converter), limited slip differential, one-joint swing-axle, compensation spring Brake System: 4- wheel disc brake with separate circuit front and rear and vacuum brake booster. Parking brake with separate drums for rear wheels Weight: 1420 kg (without hardtop) Facts and Figures: - Max. speed 121 mph - Fuel consumption (real) 13.8 - 21.8 mpg; Average 17.6 mpg - Fuel tank capacity 21 gal. Equipment: - Full leather interior - Canvas top plus hard top - Hydraulic power steering - Halogen main- and extra lights - Storage bench and rumbleseat (transversal) - Torpedo cover Production figures: all series W113 230/250/280 SL(1963 - 1971): 48912 thereof 280 SL: 23885

From 2002 the car is registered under vintage car licence which allows a maximum average mileage of 3'000 km per year. Since the total mileage driven related to the events and excursions of the Swiss Mercedes Benz Vintage Car Club (MBVC), where I'm an active member, is now shared between the "Pagoda" and the SLC, this means actually no serious restriction. The W113 "Pagoda" is considered a collector's car for quite some time already. After a slump in the 90's, it is slowly but continuously increasing the value again. It is reasonable to assume that all the still existing cars are now taken care of and their population will therefore not decrease dramatically.