Mercedes-Benz W113 Pagoda: Model history, technical data & buyer's guideIntroduced in 1963, the W113 SL combined elegant styling, advanced safety engineering, and impressive everyday usability. Today, the "Pagoda" remains one of the most desirable classic Mercedes-Benz roadsters, admired not only for its distinctive design, but also for the refined and effortless way in which it can still be enjoyed on modern roads.
Fully revised in March 2025, this 210-page guide by Bernd S. Koehling explores the history, technology, and development of the W113 in detail. Richly illustrated with high-quality color photographs, including numerous images of technical and suspension details, it also contains an expanded buyer's guide of more than 20 pages. What you will find in this book:· The Development of the PagodaThe story behind the W113, its distinctive concave hardtop, and the contribution of designer Paul Bracq.· The Complete Model RangeDetailed chapters on the 230SL, 250SL, and 280SL, including the most important technical changes introduced during the production period.· Karl Wilfert and the Mercedes-Benz Design TraditionA dedicated chapter on Daimler-Benz's long-serving head of body development, whose influence extended from the 300SL Gullwing to the R107.· A Practical Buyer's GuideMore than 20 pages of useful information on engines, transmissions, suspension, bodywork, and the areas that deserve particular attention when inspecting a W113.· Technical Reference InformationChassis numbers, data cards, technical specifications, original paint colors, interior options, and other important details for owners and restorers.· Rare Versions and Period ImpressionsCoachbuilt one-offs, special variants, contemporary owner experiences, and the lesser-known competition history of the Pagoda SL. Whether you already own a W113, are considering the purchase of one, or simply admire the elegance of the Pagoda, this book offers a detailed introduction to one of the most enduring Mercedes-Benz classics.
The W113 was never defined by spectacle alone. Its true appeal lies in the balance of design, engineering, and quiet sophistication that has allowed it to remain timeless for more than six decades.
Mercedes-Benz W113 Pagoda: Model history, technical data & buyer's guideIntroduced in 1963, the W113 SL combined elegant styling, advanced safety engineering, and impressive everyday usability. Today, the "Pagoda" remains one of the most desirable classic Mercedes-Benz roadsters, admired not only for its distinctive design, but also for the refined and effortless way in which it can still be enjoyed on modern roads.
Fully revised in March 2025, this 210-page guide by Bernd S. Koehling explores the history, technology, and development of the W113 in detail. Richly illustrated with high-quality color photographs, including numerous images of technical and suspension details, it also contains an expanded buyer's guide of more than 20 pages. What you will find in this book:· The Development of the PagodaThe story behind the W113, its distinctive concave hardtop, and the contribution of designer Paul Bracq.· The Complete Model RangeDetailed chapters on the 230SL, 250SL, and 280SL, including the most important technical changes introduced during the production period.· Karl Wilfert and the Mercedes-Benz Design TraditionA dedicated chapter on Daimler-Benz's long-serving head of body development, whose influence extended from the 300SL Gullwing to the R107.· A Practical Buyer's GuideMore than 20 pages of useful information on engines, transmissions, suspension, bodywork, and the areas that deserve particular attention when inspecting a W113.· Technical Reference InformationChassis numbers, data cards, technical specifications, original paint colors, interior options, and other important details for owners and restorers.· Rare Versions and Period ImpressionsCoachbuilt one-offs, special variants, contemporary owner experiences, and the lesser-known competition history of the Pagoda SL. Whether you already own a W113, are considering the purchase of one, or simply admire the elegance of the Pagoda, this book offers a detailed introduction to one of the most enduring Mercedes-Benz classics.
The W113 was never defined by spectacle alone. Its true appeal lies in the balance of design, engineering, and quiet sophistication that has allowed it to remain timeless for more than six decades.
