Mercedes-Benz Worldwide

Menu
  • News
  • A-Class
  • B-Class
  • C-Class
  • E-Class
  • S-Class
  • G-Class
  • V-Class
  • X-Class
  • T-Class
  • CLA
  • CLE
  • CLS
  • CLK
  • GLA
  • GLB
  • GLC
  • GLE
  • GLS
  • SL
  • SLC
  • Citan
  • Sprinter
  • AMG GT
  • Maybach
  • EQ
  • Unimog
  • Trucks
  • F1
  • Concept Car

Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda W113 Must-Know Tips & Road Test

Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-AMG 06/06/2023 No Comments
Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-AMG
Click to rate this post
[Total: 1 Average: 5]

Discover the allure of this timeless classic, which once graced the roads with its presence and captivated the hearts of Formula 1 drivers and A-list celebrities alike. Join Iain and apprentice mechanic, Korrey, as they delve into the nitty-gritty details of the Mercedes-Benz W113 280SL “Pagoda.”

Legendary Mercedes-Benz W113 280SL “Pagoda”: Must-Know Tips & Road Test | Tyrrell’s Classic Workshop

 
It’s an icon, and a worthy replacement of the Gullwing era SL. With the introduction of the W113 generation SL roadster, mercedes had big shoes to fill, and they filled them. From 1963-1971, a generation SL “Pagoda” roadsters roamed the streets, and were hugely popular for elegant style, and good speed. The youngest of these cars has already breached 50 years old, however. So if you’re looking to buy one, you need to be careful.
 
Iain Tyrrell of “Tyrrell’s Classic Workshop” is a UK based classic car expert, and has a great video showing us the key points to look out for. Most are obvious for any classic car, but some points show where poor restoration efforts may hide some unwelcome secrets.
 
“There is a tiny indentation in the headlamp bezel here, and a corresponding indentation in the front wing,” Tyrrell explains. Many thought this unique indentation from the factory was an error would smooth it out in their restoration work, making it incorrect, and unable to work with a new headlamp bezel.
 

Mechanically, you’d want to have someone very familiar with classic Mercedes engines go over a car like this. The valve clearances, for instance, are remarkably tiny when cold, but it allows for the different expansion rates of metal (aluminum and iron) once an engine warms up. Timing chains are also an interesting part to note because Mercedes uses a hydraulic chain tensioner. When the engine is off, it may appear the chain has a lot of play. But upon oil pressure building in the engine, slack is taken up.
 
Rot is something you’d want to pay particularly close attention to. Given that most cars were enjoyed on bright sunny days, you may not come across any rust or corrosion at all. But the doors on the W113 are made out of one block of aluminum (no, really) with an aluminum skin placed over. Those typically wont rust, but undercarriage and any other steel parts carry that potential.
 
Of course, you’ll have to take one for a test drive as well. The car should feel sprightly, and surprisingly agile considering the shift away from “sport” in this generation. Even though these cars are over a half century old, they will still drive well and be a great GT car, so if the test drive reveals a car that’s not quite there, have a closer look.

Share this ↓

Related posts :

  1. Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda M116-Swapped Is Absolutely Gorgeous
  2. Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda Is A Beautiful Collectible Car
  3. Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Pagoda Is Priced At $160,000
  4. Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster Preservation Detailing
  5. Mercedes-Benz 560 SL Has Been Tastefully Restored With AMG Parts
  6. Mercedes SL R129 Rad Boschert B300-24C Oozes ’80s In Excess
  7. Mercedes-AMG SL On German Sportscar Sales Attack
  8. Mercedes-Benz 560 SL 5.5-Liter V8 Cold Start
  9. Barn Find Mercedes-Benz SL R107 Survivor
  10. Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC 400hp 2JZ-Swapped Wangan Sleeper
  11. Mercedes-Benz SL R129 Review By Chris Harris
  12. Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster 2021 Rendered By Kolesa
  13. Mercedes-Benz SL Electric R129 With Over 50 Miles Of Range
  14. Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series Has More Road Presence Than Any Modern Mercedes
  15. Lori Harvey Photoshoot Includes A Mercedes-Benz SL Convertible
  16. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 70th Anniversary
  17. 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Gorgeous Red 39,000 Miles
  18. Mercedes-Benz SL R107 Turns 50 Years Old
  19. New Mercedes SL 2021 Spied With Slightly Less Camouflage
  20. Mercedes-Benz SL With SLR McLaren-Inspired Styling
Prev Article
Next Article

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Google Translate

Recent Posts

  • 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake Specs & Pictures
  • Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 415bhp Of Four-Cylinder Fury
  • 2026 Mercedes-Benz A-Class Always The Bridesmade
  • Mercedes AMG GT 63 S E-Performance 831bhp Of Insanity With A Token Plug
  • Mercedes-Benz VLE Looks Like It’ll Have A Really Long Range
  • Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4-Door Larte Design Got You Covered
  • 2026 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Sedan With Some Surprising Changes
  • The World Wasn’t Ready For The Mercedes EQS
  • Mercedes-Benz GLC EV On The Autobahn (Video)
  • Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing Is RED-Y For A New Home
  • Mercedes-AMG C 63 Black Series Retro-Modern Buick Grand National
  • Mercedes G-Class Expedition Desert Edition Sounds Like A New German SUV
  • 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA Can Recognize Emotions & React Accordingly
  • Mercedes-Benz EQA & EQB 250+ City Edition Seek Urban Comfort & Style
  • Mercedes-AMG One Hypercars Recalls Over Fire Risk
  • Mercedes-AMG G 63 Is Still The Best Thing Mercedes Makes
  • Mercedes-Benz G 580 With EQ Technology Ambitious But Flawed
  • Mercedes A-Class W176 Is A Strong Premium Hatchback
  • Mercedes-AMG GT XX Specs & Pictures
  • Mercedes-AMG E 53 Has Something The BMW M5 Doesn’t

Categories

  • A-Class
  • AMG GT
  • B-Class
  • C-Class
  • Citan
  • CLA
  • CLE
  • CLK
  • CLS
  • Concept Car
  • E-Class
  • EQ
  • F1
  • G-Class
  • GLA
  • GLB
  • GLC
  • GLE
  • GLS
  • Maybach
  • News
  • S-Class
  • SL
  • SLC
  • Sprinter
  • T-Class
  • Trucks
  • Unimog
  • V-Class
  • X-Class

Mercedes-Benz Worldwide

Copyright © 2025 Mercedes-Benz Worldwide