1963 Mercedes 230 SL Pagoda Is a Collector’s Dream

Classic 230 SL Pagoda Racing Replica Makes Us Yearn for the Simpler Days of Driving

Ever think about what it would like to abandon the more modern idea of luxury for some good-old “roughing it”?

Sure, chances are, if you own a Mercedes, it’s the premium amenities associated with the brand that first lured you in. And yet even with all the fancy features, sometimes the urge to escape it all is enticing, even if just for a day.

As such, it seems like our friends at The Drive might have the perfect remedy for those modern-day blues. And the best part about the cure is that it doesn’t require you to abandon the Mercedes nameplate for the escape.

CHECK OUT: What Forum Members Are Saying About This Classic Replica

It does, however, require having a connection to a serious Benz collector. More specifically, one who owns a 1963 Mercedes 230 SL Pagoda. Because as reporter Mike Guy points out, the vintage Mercedes is really a throwback to the days when driving a sports car was truly an experience, free of distracting frills.

Guy was lucky enough to drive this particular model during this year’s Concours d’Elegance on Amelia Island. It’s a rally-spec restored model, powered by a 170-horsepower 2.6-liter straight six. The engine is mated to a 4-speed transmission.

The 230 SL picked up the nickname “Pagoda” as result of its dome-shaped hard top. It has quite a storied history in the world of Mercedes racing, too. Although, this particular model is a replica restored to look like a model that actually spent time on the track. But it’s a highly alluring Mercedes throwback, nonetheless. Wouldn’t you say?