Mercedes 230SL Packs Corvette Punch

This Pagoda-Roofed Classic 230SL Is Powered by a Corvette LS1 Engine

Here’s a spin on a ’65 Mercedes-Benz 230SL that you don’t see every day.

Then again, depending on where you live, you probably don’t see classic ‘Benz coupes like this one much at all. Launched in 1963, the Pagoda-roofed 230SL is quite a rare sighting, given the type of cash the cars now command as collectibles.

That said, even if you do see them frequently, we’re pretty certain you haven’t seen a 230SL that features a mod like this.

Yep, somewhere along the line, someone decided they needed a little more oomph. So they swapped out the Mercedes 230SL straight-six engine for an LS1 Corvette power source.

CHECK OUT: What Forum Members Are Saying About This Corvette-Powered SL

Whether you agree with the idea or not, you certainly can’t dispute the uniqueness of a vintage Benz equipped with a Corvette engine. Even more interesting, aside from a set of billet wheels, the casual observer would have no idea about the mod. Everything else on the 230SL seems to have been kept pretty much intact, making the car one hell of sleeper in a drag race.

Car & Driver came across the car on a Craigslist posting out of Austin, Texas. It seems like the owner considered selling the car at one point, and listed it for $60,000. But then he apparently had a change of heart. Instead, he’s now on a mission to find out who built the mod. Anybody know?