Skip to main content

LOT 118

1966 Mercedez-Benz 230 SL 'Pagoda' Chassis no. 113042-10-016255 Engine no. 127981-10-012747

Sold for €88,550 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve
Lot 118

German delivery from new, Ex-Bobby Valentine
1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL 'Pagoda'

The Autoworld Sale|13 May 2023, 14:00 CEST|Brussels, Autoworld

1966 Mercedez-Benz 230 SL 'Pagoda'
Chassis no. 113042-10-016255
Engine no. 127981-10-012747

• Desirable early 230 SL with the manual gearbox
• Beautiful Graphitgrau over Caviar black interior
• Matching chassis, engine and gearbox
• Well maintained and mechanically sorted

Footnotes

This 230 SL 'Pagoda' has the manual transmission and power steering options and was delivered new to a Mercedez-Benz dealer in Fulda, West Germany in May 1966. The car's first private owner was Colonel Adrian St John II of the United States Army, who had recently been posted from Vietnam to command the 14th Armoured Cavalry Regiment stationed in the Fulda Gap near the border with East Germany. Two years later, in 1969, he was promoted to Brigadier General and returned to the USA, bringing the 230 SL with him to Texas where it spent the next 43 years in the Lone Star State's dry climate. A Major General when he retired from Army service in 1977, Adrian St John II continued to serve his country as a diplomat and was commended by three Presidents for his outstanding efforts on behalf of world peace.

In 1985 the 230 SL was sold to the Texas Rangers baseball club manager, Bobby Valentine, a former professional player who has managed a succession of top clubs. A living legend known as 'Bobby V' or 'Big Daddy V', he kept the Mercedes-Benz for 16 years, selling it in 2001 to a Mr Payne, another Texas resident. The car was registered in Ohio when it was acquired by the immediately preceding owner in 2012. Brought to Holland, it was then completely restored by a marque specialist in 100% compliance with its Mercedes-Benz factory data card and is finished in correct Graphitgrau (Graphite Grey 190G) with MB-Tex Caviar Black interior and matching soft-top. The body was stripped to bare metal, restored and repainted, and the engine completely overhauled. Prior to restoration the odometer displayed 87,000 miles. During restoration it was converted to metric and set to 20,000 kilometres.

The current vendor purchased the Mercedes in 2013 and had the car mechanically fully sorted at a cost of €10,777 in May 2014. Today, its older restoration is holding up very well; the paint still appears very bright and the Mercedes has been well maintained by its current owner, who has enjoyed the car for 10 years and commented that the 230 Pagoda drives excellent and is incredibly reliable. Bonhams had the opportunity to test drive the 230 SL over a short distance and can confirm it drives and handles exceptionally well and is a joy to drive.

The accompanying Datenkart copy shows that chassis '113042-10-016255' was delivered new in Graphite Grey (190) with a black interior and with engine number '127981-10-012747', which is still fitted today. The current owner's mechanic has confirmed that the number for the four-speed manual gearbox is matching too. Additional paperwork includes Belgian registration documents; a FIVA Identity Card; Belgian Contrôle Technique valid until September 2025; and invoices for work carried out between 2014 and 2022 totaling nearly €18,000.

The car also comes complete with tool kit, jack, spare wheel, Mercedes-Benz pouch, owner's handbook, driver's manual from 1966, and some 230SL promotional brochures from 1965 (used during restoration).

The Mercedes-Benz Pagoda in its purest form: EU-delivery (no overriders, reflectors etc.), early example (without headrests) equipped with the desirable manual gearbox, this superb Mercedes-Benz 230 SL 'Pagoda' is sure to appeal equally to both collectors and drivers.

Saleroom notices

Please note the '230 SL Promotional Brochures' are not included in the sale.

Additional information

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Cars specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Specialist section

Auction Viewings

  • 11 May 2023, 10:00 - 18:00 CEST
  • 12 May 2023, 10:00 - 18:00 CEST
  • 13 May 2023, 10:00 - 12:00 CEST

Bid now on these items

1950 Jaguar XK 120 OTS
France
Coming soon

1950 Jaguar XK 120 OTS

€100,000 - €140,000
1956 Jaguar XK 140 DHC
Denmark

1956 Jaguar XK 140 DHC

DKK600,000 - DKK800,000
1963 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet (W111)
Denmark

1963 Mercedes-Benz 220 SE Cabriolet (W111)

DKK600,000 - DKK800,000
1959 Mercedes-Benz SL 190 W12
Denmark

1959 Mercedes-Benz SL 190 W12

DKK700,000 - DKK850,000
1977 Ferrari 308 GTB
Denmark

1977 Ferrari 308 GTB

DKK550,000 - DKK800,000
1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal by Bertone
Denmark

1972 Alfa Romeo Montreal by Bertone

DKK450,000 - DKK600,000
1997 Porsche 911 Cabriolet (993 C2, manuel)
Denmark

1997 Porsche 911 Cabriolet (993 C2, manuel)

DKK600,000 - DKK800,000
1899 Phébus 2¼hp Motor Tricycle
United Kingdom

1899 Phébus 2¼hp Motor Tricycle

£50,000 - £60,000
1911 Delaunay-Belleville 26HP Tourer
United Kingdom

1911 Delaunay-Belleville 26HP Tourer

£70,000 - £100,000
Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939 c.1903 Darracq 12hp Twin-Cylinder Four-Seat Rear-Entrance Tonneau
United Kingdom

Offered from the 'Somerset Hoard', barn stored since circa 1939
c.1903 Darracq 12hp Twin-Cylinder Four-Seat Rear-Entrance Tonneau

£55,000 - £75,000
Formerly part of the Harrah Collection 1915 Lancia Theta Two-Seat Hydroplane Runabout
United Kingdom

Formerly part of the Harrah Collection
1915 Lancia Theta Two-Seat Hydroplane Runabout

£70,000 - £90,000
1913 Hotchkiss Model AD 20/30 Tourer
United Kingdom

1913 Hotchkiss Model AD 20/30 Tourer

£50,000 - £60,000
1902 Beaufort 8hp Two-Seater Phaeton
United Kingdom

1902 Beaufort 8hp Two-Seater Phaeton

£50,000 - £70,000
1923 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Limousine
United Kingdom

1923 Rolls-Royce 40/50hp Silver Ghost Limousine

£50,000 - £70,000
c.1901 Gladiator Four-Seat Rear-Entrance Tonneau
United KingdomOffered without reserve

c.1901 Gladiator Four-Seat Rear-Entrance Tonneau

£50,000 - £70,000
1902 De Dion Bouton 6hp Model J Rear-Entrance Tonneau
United Kingdom

1902 De Dion Bouton 6hp Model J Rear-Entrance Tonneau

£70,000 - £80,000