The Classic Sale at Silverstone 26th & 27th August 2022

167 + buyers premium of 12.5% plus VAT (15% incl VAT) on the first £300,000 of the hammer and 10% plus VAT (12% incl VAT) thereafter The Mercedes-Benz 230SL is considered a landmark model that founded a sports car dynasty that would prove an enormous commercial success for the marque. Introduced at the Geneva Salon in March 1963 as replacement for the 190SL, the 230SL abandoned its predecessor’s four-cylinder engine in favour of a 2.3-litre fuel- injected six derived from that of the 220SE and producing 150bhp. An instant classic, the body design was entirely new whilst, beneath the skin, the running gear was conventional Mercedes-Benz, featuring all-round independent suspension (by swing axles at the rear), disc front/drum rear brakes, and a choice of 4-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Top speed was more than 193km/h. The 230SL even managed a debut competition victory, as Sporting Motorist noted: “Performances of the Mercedes-Benz range in the competition field are legendary, and we think particularly of participation in the most rugged of rallies where the cars have proved their strength and stamina beyond doubt. Soon after the 230SL was announced, Eugen Bohringer drove one to victory in the Spa-Sofia-Liège Rally, and although competition outings are rare, this was the sort of debut one would expect from the Stuttgart factory.” Christened ‘Pagoda’ after their distinctive cabin shape - devised by French automotive designer and classic car enthusiast, Paul Bracq - these SL models were amongst the best-loved sports-tourers of their day and remain highly sought-after by collectors. The car’s abilities and good looks were not missed by a certain racing driver of the era, a young Stirling Moss, who had, by 1966, established himself as one of the greatest ever drivers to pilot a Mercedes-Benz. In 1954, Moss started to drive for Maserati in Formula 1, but in the same year he was signed by Mercedes-Benz racing manager Alfred Neubauer as a driver for the 1955 season. This was a pivotal moment in Moss’ career, as he had become a member of what was then the most successful racing team in the world. 1955 was a formidable year for Moss and Mercedes-Benz, he and co-driver Denis Jenkinson won the 1955 Mille Miglia, with an average speed of 157.65km/h. The two Brits therefore set a new record time for the ‘1,000 miles’, which still stands today, their time on this legendary road race has never been beaten and is never likely to be. The second great triumph for Moss in 1955 was his victory at the British Grand Prix on 16th July at Aintree in the Mercedes-Benz W196R. Moss was the first Brit to win this prestigious race and he led a quadruple victory for the ‘Silver Arrows’, followed by his team colleagues Juan Manuel Fangio, Karl Kling, and Piero Taruffi. In the Spring of 1966, Stirling was thinking about a new road car and the Pagoda was top of the list. According to the book ‘Mercedes W113: The Complete Story’, Moss had been so impressed with the W113 that he personally wrote a letter to his former race chief, Alfred Neubauer, saying: “In all the years I have been driving, I cannot remember ever driving a car that I would have liked to own more (except for racing cars!)”. Again, from the same book, Moss was extremely keen to get hold of an early, more powerful 250SL, but the factory had only begun producing left-hand drive examples for the US-market. Supposedly, those with enough ‘clout’ could convince Mercedes-Benz to do a ‘special order’ of models not yet in wider production. Furthermore, Moss personally requested (and apparently insisted) that his car should also come with another exclusive feature, this being that the car’s hardtop should have a distinctive opening roof vent; we understand this to be a unique feature, to honour Moss’ exacting wishes; the flap and hinges were specially engineered by Mercedes-Benz for this Pagoda to the same standard/spec as found on the 300SL ‘Gullwing’ and this vent is believed to be unique on any Pagoda. Mercedes-Benz accommodated the wishes of their Grand Prix and Mille Miglia winner, choosing to give him the UK-spec car displayed at the 1966 Earls Court Motor Show, but specially fitted by the factory with the bigger M129 engine from the 250SE (the 250SL was Lot 468 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL (W113) ‘Pagoda’ - ex Sir Stirling Moss OBE Registration: BOI3 Chassis No.: 113*42-22-*16431 Estimate: £100,000 - £120,000 The ‘Moss Pagoda’. Sir Stirling’s own 230SL built for him personally by the factory in 1966. More Details Lot 468 Bid On Lot 468

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTU2