Sold for £30,375
(including buyers premium)
Registration No: GLH 198C
Chassis No: 11304222013530
MOT: None
Successor to both the exotic race bred 300SL 'Gullwing' Coupe and its humbler 190SL sibling, the W113 series SL proved more comfortable than the former and faster than the latter (a point emphasised by Eugen Bohringer's 1963 Liege-Sofia-Liege rally victory). First of the line, the 230SL was introduced at the March 1963 Geneva Salon. Penned by Paul Bracq, its wonderfully crisp styling clothed a monocoque chassis equipped with all-round independent coil-sprung suspension and disc brakes. Powered by a 2308cc SOHC straight-six engine mated to four-speed manual transmission, the model was credited with 150bhp and 159lbft of torque. Reputedly capable of 124mph, it was praised by the contemporary motoring press for its performance, roadholding and refinement. Available in Californian Coupe, Convertible or Coupe Convertible guises, the last of these came with both a soft-top and the famous 'Pagoda' hardtop roof, so called because of its gently scalloped centre section.
The original bill of sale from Normand Mercedes of Mayfair shows that GLH198C was supplied new to Mr William Emms on the 1st December 1965, ownership transferred onto William’s son Christopher Emms in 1979 who used the vehicle up until 1985 when it was placed in storage. Christopher, now sadly no longer with us always intended to restore the car but he never actually got around to making a start. The car remained in storage right up until it was removed from the same garage in 2020 looking slightly worse for wear. The current mileage of 59124 is believed genuine, and is substantiated by all the previous MOT certificates. The vendor was also intending to restore the vehicle and even went as far as purchasing over £6,000 worth of genuine Mercedes body panels required for the job, these are included in the sale. Due to many other commitments the vendor has reluctantly decided to let the vehicle go to a good home where it can be restored in the manner it deserves. The engine starts and runs well and the transmission appears ok. Along with the vehicle there are the new body panels, some seals, and a large history file containing lots of invoices, bill of sale, MOT certificates and the V5C etc. This is a fabulous opportunity to purchase a genuine low mileage appreciating classic and restore to its former glory.
For more information, please contact:
Roy Hitchman
roy.hitchman@handh.co.uk
07718 584216
Auction: Imperial War Museum, Duxford, 16th Mar, 2022
AUCTION VENUE
Imperial War Museum
Duxford
Cambridgeshire
CB22 4QR
AUCTION VIEWING
Tuesday 15th March 2022 from 12pm to 6pm
Wednesday 16th March 2022 from 9am
BUYERS PREMIUM
12.5% (plus VAT @ 20%)
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
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