Bow down everybody…

[mdsalemi]

… apparently the world’s finest and best Pagoda is for sale! Since none of us own it, I guess we should all be humbled.

https://motoringinvestments.com/listings/the-best-w113-pagoda/

[ejboyd5]

That's a lot of imagining without stating that any of that work was actually performed. Too bad about the rear window on the soft top.

[Pawel66]

I think the announcement is just an example of not so great advertising, almost like making fun of what it is trying to sell and turning off a lot of buyers. This is also the tone I read from Michel's post - a note of sarcasm, that I like. The car being with one owner - nice, but not critical, at least for me. As for the restoration, I certainly do not see where this money went in. I see just another car desperate for a paint job to be done and God knows what will be discovered while doing this paint job

But that is just me.

[mdsalemi]

Yes, there was a bit of "tongue-in-cheek" sarcasm.
It is only "some people's opinions" that the 250SL is "the best". The market does not and has never agreed with that. Look at the Hagerty Price guides, the 280SL, like it or not, has pretty much always commanded the higher prices. The market makes the determination, not a single opinion, but one in aggregate.
We need a lecture on the line of demarcation from 1967-1968? (yes, the point where emissions and safety ramped up)
I have a case full of trophies, from first place to "best in show", and more. Including one in Canada. So what? Yes they are recognition that the car was "restored well", but [insert commentary here] there are many Pagodas with such awards.
As soon as this is sold, there will be another. Let's see. We've already seen "The Holy Grail". This one is, as advertised, "The Best W113 Pagoda in the World".
What will the next moniker be?

[Mike Hughes]

One would think that any vendor presenting such a vehicle, exalting it to such a degree, and commanding such a figure, would take care not to include a significant number of shaky, blurred, out of focus photos in its portfolio, while at the same time failing to include even one undercarriage shot, or any detail shots of the trunk empty of contents.  One is left to assume that those areas rise to a level of perfection best left to the imagination.

[kampala]

Some of us in Southern California know this car.  Jonny B can expand on the details of the owner.  This 250 was present at our 250 50th birthday celebration in San Diego.  It’s the Red car in the middle, with the gentleman with the white cap. 

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=26323.msg188464

Also, if someone wants to dig up Pagodafest 2019 photos, this car was very prominent, so many non SoCal folks may recall it.

[mdsalemi]

…would take care not to include a significant number of shaky, blurred, out of focus photos in its portfolio, while at the same time failing to include even one undercarriage shot, or any detail shots of the trunk empty of contents….

Remember Mike that when professionally done photos are taken and look beautiful such as those done by Hyman in St. Louis, some here tend to dismiss them as too professional! I guess you can’t please all the people all the time! 🤔

Don’t worry if you miss out on this one there will be another one before too long! 😉

[Jonny B]

Yes, I know the car and its owner, which will limit what i post. He is the original owner. I don't understand the comment about the paint. I have seen in the car "in the wild", and the paintwork is top notch (done by Hjeltness restoration).

It was for sale through the MB Section newsletter at $225K. Pricing has been rather erratic depending on where he advertises it.

Interesting also that some time back Motoring Investments had a Pagoda listed at $600K +

[bogeyman]

I was at Starfest in Phoenix back in the early '90s. This same Gary J had a 300SL roadster then in the same colors. It was beautiful - he may have won best of show, I don't really remember. I have never seen anyone fuss over a car as much as he did then.

[Pawel66]

Also in family since new?

[mdsalemi]

I thought I had seen information on this before...the car was highlighted in an article appearing in the Jul-Aug 2014 issue of The Star.

[lreppond]

Despite all the debatable hyperbole of the offering, one simply cannot deny the beauty and attention to detail of this car.  It is darn impressive. 

[mdsalemi]

Despite all the debatable hyperbole of the offering, one simply cannot deny the beauty and attention to detail of this car.  It is darn impressive.

It's one of those things called a "no expenses spared" kind of restoration. I remembered reading about it back in 2014...My guess is Gary Jarvis didn't go asking "Anybody know of a chrome plater that does work at a reasonable rate? I'm not looking for show quality..."

[Mike Hughes]

Despite all the debatable hyperbole of the offering, one simply cannot deny the beauty and attention to detail of this car.  It is darn impressive. 

I totally agree.  That is why it is such a shame that the vendor has done such a slap-dash, incomplete job of presenting the car.  I'm sure they get some percentage of the transaction price, so it seems to me that they should at least make an effort to earn it!

[Bonnyboy]

Cool if you have the disposable income, but other than looking at it in a climate controlled garage with epoxy coated floors and a lazy boy, would the new owner get as much enjoyment out of it as many of us do with cars worth a fraction of that value just driving to the supermarket for a loaf of bread (to the next town over) or driving it top down to the beach (where you risk getting pooped on by a pelican). 

Had a conversation with a neighbor last week who just received his new aluminum boat and I was feeling a bit humbled with my 36 yr old fibreglass runabout and we finished our conversation with a gem.  He said after years and years of boating the best boat is the one which gets you home safe and sound day in and day out - period.    I think the best car is one you can use without worrying constantly about what "could" happen.   Owner's ability comes into play here as well.   Our Pagoda Group has allowed many of us to have "the best" car out there without having to spend $200,000.

PS  still finding remnants of Pelican poop in my car 2 years after getting nailed.

[Mike Hughes]

. . . I think the best car is one you can use without worrying constantly about what "could" happen . . . Our Pagoda Group has allowed many of us to have "the best" car out there without having to spend $200,000 . . .

. . . which brings one to recall the Daimler-Benz slogan, "The best or nothing!"

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Nice analysis about our cars by Bonnyboy and Mike H in the last two posts.

The Best as I am concerned is actually in the "Eyes of the Beholder" I would never purchase a car that needs to be towed on a trailor to a car show just to get a ribbon opr two, I love to drive my car like so many of us do. The previous owner of my car got her for his wife in 1992 as a birthday present after having her restored at RM. She drove the car for 20 years then gave her back to him as a divorce settlement. She only put 4,000 miles in that time on the car. I found the car in his climate-controlled garage (along with 18 American Beauties). He told me the car is for sale, he needs the space for another car being restored at RM. After checking her out I purchased the car. My first trip was with Members PJ, Benz Dr and Fred from down east to Michigan where I meet Mike S. for the first time.

Here is the story I'm trying to get to,

Our cars must have briefley meet as well, I have no idiea. If they did they must have talked to themself or by whispering "Mmmm have I not meet that one before?"

A few years later I put my car into our Registry and low and behold Mike's car
showed up right beside my Blue Tornado. Then a while later I came across the Mercedes Benz Assembly Hall and was thinking "is that Mikes car? where is mine I cannot see any blue cars oh well" looking closer I resolved it cannot be since the red car has RH stiring and Euro headlights.

A few more years past and at the last get together at Joe's Alexander's place we managed to park the two side by side for a reunion. If they could comunicate what on eard would they have been talking about .... let's see

Red -- Hey I know you, we meet briefly in the German Assembly hall

Blue -- I dont know I did see a red one, only the high sheen red shin blinded me

Red -- Your notlooking too bad in that noce blue colour

Blue -- So tell me what have ypu been doing with yourself?

Red -- Oh I have been in bad shape, however, my owner takes good care of me

Blue -- How do you mean?

Red -- Well he has me on the way of a full restoration ot should be done soon I think he is still looking for a door replacemeny ,,,, oh here he comes, I guess we are leaving. Nice to have seen you again ... small world this is.

A brief story of 2 cars only 2 VIN Numbers apart !!

~~ Grin ~~

Dieter

[Benz Dr.]

A very nice car but far from perfect. Most are small details - can you spot them?

[thelews]

To be the best, it'd have to be an early 250 with 230 cosmetics, this one isn't. 

[johnk]

A very nice car but far from perfect. Most are small details - can you spot them?

Ok I give. What details are off? Just had an eye operation and I can’t see the small details

[Garry]

I notice that the gear lever boot is off set and not centered in the tunnel carpet.  Is that normal for this model??


The only other item on the interior is that the glove box light on\off button does not have the small metal surround fitted.

[lreppond]

To the best of my knowledge, the gear shifter on a manual transmission w113 is always slightly off center nearer the driver’s seat.   

Not only is the metal escutcheon missing in the glove box but it also appears the two rubber bumpers are missing there too.  I may have to plead the johnk excuse since I had cataract surgery on my left eye two weeks ago! 

…but come on Dan, tell us what those “small details” are.   

[Benz Dr.]

I notice that the gear lever boot is off set and not centered in the tunnel carpet.  Is that normal for this model??


The only other item on the interior is that the glove box light on\off button does not have the small metal surround fitted.

Yeah, I noticed that too.

Keep guessing. I'm not telling.

[Chris Long]

no comment

[johnk]

Aha a modern clamp. My eyesight must be getting better. Of course Chris made it pretty easy to spot.

[H. Keith Henry]

Interesting interview.

[Garry]

I believe this car and owner were at Pagodafest in 2019 and to be honest, i thought there were some nicer cars there than this one that the owner kept telling anyone who would listen that it was the best in the world.
I guess it is all in the eyes of the beholder.

[thelews]

Many people think their opinion is the best in the world and are happy to let you know it, repeatedly.

[GM]

It's like everything else in today's world - you say anything often enough and people start to believe it.

[Cees Klumper]

Certain people, sure ...