Mercedes-Benz SL W113 „Pagoda“ 1963-1970
In July 1963, the new Mercedes-Benz 230SL appeared as something of a merger of its predecessors 300SL and 190SL.
The designer, Friedrich Geiger, who also designed the "century sports car" 300SL “Gullwing”, the Roadster W198 II, the 190SL and the W107 (and from 1950 to the W116 basically anything), is strangely little known by his name. In addition: before WWII Geiger was also responsible drawing the body design of the 500K / 540K Special Roadster which is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful vehicles ever built.
Even though Friedrich Geiger looks more like an accountant in contemporary pictures and does not show anything exalted like Luigi Colani, perhaps he deserves most of all the title "Michelangelo of automobile design", without to belittle the services of Bertone, Frua, Count Goertz, Michelotti, Pininfarina!
The SL had quickly been given the byname "Pagoda" because of the characteristic shape of its hardtop.
The audience judged ambiguously:
For some, the new SL was a revelation, the others had expected more in view of the sensational predecessors and were disappointed.
Anyway:
The SL 113 "Pagoda" has risen to the position of a classic already during its construction period!
Product Portfolio
More about the hood linkage on the Mercedes-Benz SL of the 113 series
In addition to the pre-series linkage, three more modifications have been made over the construction period. Relevant distinguishing features are:
1) 230SL pre-series
Main bow made of metal with an overall larger radius.
Locking of the cloth holder for folding by cylinders with spring-loaded ball.
Different hood cut!
2) 230 SL
Wooden main bow with a chrome nail bar.
Locking of the cloth holder for folding by cylinders with spring-loaded ball.
The hood cut of the later tops which are sewn onto the main bow also fit in principle.
However, the beautiful brass-plated nail bar should be better avoided then, since - when mounted correctly - sits next to the stitching. That does not fit.
So pay attention: For the wooden bow you will need to order and assemble the hood with the open bow.
3) 230SL (late) / 250SL / 280SL (early)
Main bow made of metal.
Locking of the cloth holder for folding by cylinders with spring-loaded ball.
Side "spacers" right / left from the inside on the fabric holder, which should prevent crimping of the top.
4) 280SL
Main bow made of metal.
Locking of the fabric holder for folding by "roll" on the linkage base. No lateral spacers.
You want to buy some German engineered awesomeness, but you’re not from the United States or Canada? Feel free to contact us, too.
Issues & Improvements
The cut of the Mercedes-Benz SL W113 / Optimized!
The cut of the W113 top required an optimization that we made more than twenty years ago:
The supernatant of the top at the back of the fabric holding bracket towards the body causes ugly “dog ears” due to the lack of stiffness of the original top.
In addition, the top cover seal is then largely exposed to rust.
Against the background of the pursuit of perfection of the Swabian carmaker (at least then!) completely incomprehensible, Mercedes did not fix that problem even in the later model, the W107.
Facelift corrections of our soft top for the Pagoda
In order to increase the stiffness we partially double glued some parts and had to adjust the shape to the body closure slightly. The Pagoda top looks definitely more original with this facelift correction than the in its aspect really poor original reference.
Another model maintenance we have done is using the PVC window piping from the following model, the W107.
Only on explicit request, we deliver the hood of the W113 without the 107 piping.
Otherwise applies:
This piping significantly increases the kink resistance of the folding PVC window by blocking the sharp creases of the folded-in top at the edge of the window.
That's exactly the otherwise most common break point of the folding window.
The use therefore has a technical sense and serves the durability of the top, especially since the Pagoda is preferably driven open with certainty, so the top is usually folded in the top compartment.
In addition, the sentence applies: Not true to the original is worth nothing.
