Pagoda "Triple Seater"

[Albert-230SL]

Hi Group,
Most W113 are roadsters (excepting Pininfarina's 230 SL or B
hringer's racing 230 SL with the fixed hardtop), and a "roadster" usually is a car with only 2 seats... but the Pagoda is a rare case of roadster with 3 seats (factory option)... another of its advantages  
This is the case of a friend in Barcelona from the local Mercedes-Benz Club. He bought that '64 230 SL because he loved it, and moreover because he could enjoy it with his wife and his son (quite tall!) in the rear optional seat  


The photos were taken during a classic car event in Salou (Costa Dorada -"Golden Coast"- of Catalunya), in 1995.
Note: You will find the photos in larger size in the attachments below
Regards,
Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432
Download Attachment: Eli_low230SL.jpg
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Download Attachment: Eli_low230SL_b.jpg
80.34 KB

[Bob G]

I pity the person who has to sit in the rear jump seat with the hard top on. You have to be small and lanky. I did a trip with my parents across interstate five on the way to San Franciso when I was 15 years young never again! I guess it is fun the first time around but it becomes confining after the first hour. That's why its called an "emergency seat".
Bob Geco

[Douglas]

That is one gorgeous car -- nearly identical to Lewis Eig's Pagoda not far from me in New Jersey.
How did you make that first photo? It looks like you were either in a tree or a very tall bus.....
Douglas Kim
New York, NY
#018260

[n/a]

I'd think the kinder seat would be worse with the soft top up, versus the hard top...but since I always drive, it isn't my concern.
-Lewis
'66 230 sl 113042-10-016238
67 saab sonett II #43 of 258
99 saab 9-5
00 saab 9-3 viggen conv

[Richard Madison]

Kinder Seat facts (or maybe misinformation):
Understand that when the third seat was installed by the Sindelfingen factory, the Data Tag on the car shows seating for three: 2 in front and 1 in Rear. Some "Factory Option" third seats were installed by MB dealers upon arrival in the USA, the Data Tag shows seating only for 2, and the Data Option Card may not even show the option.
Option 565, cost 200DM or about $50 at that time. Some current owners are fortunate to have both the third seat and the parts to convert back to the rear bench.  The option was listed as "Quersitz" which I believe means "Transverse Seat" or "Diagonal Seat".  Names like Kinder Seat, Jump Seat, Emergency Seat, etc. are not official.
Personal Opinion: The third seat is fairly comfortable for an under 6 foot adult of moderate girth for a short time. My wife actually volunteers to ride in the third seat on short hops at moderate speed with the top down, saying, "It's more comfortable than sitting up front." My son is too tall.
Photo:
Anita in the back, Josh in front (6'6" tall [198cm])  
Download Attachment: Jump_Seat1.jpg
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Another passenger who never complains about riding in back )
Download Attachment: Jump_Seat2.jpg
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Richard M

[Albert-230SL]

quote:Originally posted by Douglas

That is one gorgeous car -- nearly identical to Lewis Eig's Pagoda not far from me in New Jersey.
How did you make that first photo? It looks like you were either in a tree or a very tall bus.....
Douglas Kim
New York, NY
#018260

Hi Doug,
First photo was taken in a minor road, with mountain areas in one side. I waited the car from above the hill and "shot" it.
Second photo was taken by my codriver, while we were driving behind the car.
And yes, that's really a good Pagoda... you should see it at 190-200 km/h (118-124 mph) on the highway!  
Regards,
Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

[Albert-230SL]

quote:Originally posted by krwaxbz

I pity the person who has to sit in the rear jump seat with the hard top on. You have to be small and lanky. I did a trip with my parents across interstate five on the way to San Franciso when I was 15 years young never again!...
Bob Geco

Hi Bob,
My friends's son is quite tall (185 cm) and he doesn't complain at all about that third seat... but they always travel soft top down. It should be a different thing with the hardtop, and worse with the soft top...
In any case, have you sat in the rear seat of a Porsche 911? In comparison with it, the Pagoda's transverse seat (even hardtop on) is like to be sitting in the sofa at home!  
Regards,
Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

[n/a]

Man I'd love to get one of these for my car.
Shawn Rock
Philly, PA USA
1968 280 SL 4 speed