Our 230SL on BAT

[Sead]

This is my friends Safet Krupic fantastic looking 230SL on BAT.
We pay attention to smalest details when working on our cars. Im proud of him having his first example in the States now!
Needless to say that in this car is sitting an original VDO indicator stalk made by me 

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1967-mercedes-benz-230sl-57/

[Cees Klumper]

Ha! Just looking at this listing now, already at $90K and the whole week still to go. Will watch with interest, should do very well.

[rwmastel]

Sead, Vander, or anyone else involved in this restoration,

Why the 250SL cylinder head?
Why the 280SL rear axle with disc brakes?

When I think of a "nut & bolt restoration", I always think or recreating the car to original spec.  Why these modifications from stock?

I also have a question about the color.  Isn't there a proper name for the color code?  "Mercedes Blue" is certainly not it.

[Vander]

Sead, Vander, or anyone else involved in this restoration,

Why the 250SL cylinder head?
Why the 280SL rear axle with disc brakes?

When I think of a "nut & bolt restoration", I always think or recreating the car to original spec.  Why these modifications from stock?

I also have a question about the color.  Isn't there a proper name for the color code?  "Mercedes Blue" is certainly not it.

As I described in the auction these are "subtle but significant improvements"

The 250SL head is an improved design over the 230, but still retains the numbers matching block.
Disc brakes are far superior to drum brakes.

Neither of these items are noticeable unless you take a close look under the hood or underneath the car, you can not see them just looking at the car.  Both improve the driving experience. We also improved the insulation underneath the carpet, greater than Mercedes-Benz spec which I will talk about later in the auction.

Yes there is a proper name for the color code, it is Mercedes Blue. Or technically Mercedesblau, they actually affixed their name to this color.

[rwmastel]

OK, so the internet all along was to make a car not historically correct, but with modifications to make it a "better car" in ways many buyers might appreciate.  I can understand that.  There's a market for each strategy (original v. modified).

[AndrewB]

Beautiful work on a beautiful car. It should sell for way more than $90k, given how absolutely stunning it is.

Regards
Andrew

[Sead]

Sead, Vander, or anyone else involved in this restoration,

Why the 250SL cylinder head?
Why the 280SL rear axle with disc brakes?

When I think of a "nut & bolt restoration", I always think or recreating the car to original spec.  Why these modifications from stock?

I also have a question about the color.  Isn't there a proper name for the color code?  "Mercedes Blue" is certainly not it.

250 head is almost identical to 230. You can swap them over. 250 has larger intake valves.
rest as already answered...

[mdsalemi]

Happy to see that it's priced well above the start with some days to go.

Excellent work and great choices on the all disk brakes. Restorations should not be "exactly" as delivered unless that is some goal you have. You cannot get the same paint as 50 years ago, and many sheet metal repair parts are galvalume or other kind of steel improved in the 50+ years since manufacture, so duplicating exactly how the car was delivered as new isn't really possible. Many parts even from Mercedes are not exactly as they were. Remember cars are only new once.

Good luck on the final price!!!

[Vander]

Happy to see that it's priced well above the start with some days to go.

Excellent work and great choices on the all disk brakes. Restorations should not be "exactly" as delivered unless that is some goal you have. You cannot get the same paint as 50 years ago, and many sheet metal repair parts are galvalume or other kind of steel improved in the 50+ years since manufacture, so duplicating exactly how the car was delivered as new isn't really possible. Many parts even from Mercedes are not exactly as they were. Remember cars are only new once.

Good luck on the final price!!!

Thank you Mike! I just posted a video this morning about all of the interior restoration details. I think it will be a great reference for anyone wanting to restore their Pagoda. It is also accessible through Youtube for anyone that wants to see it after the auction. I have more photos and videos as well that will be added before the end.

[Cees Klumper]

Congratulations on yesterday's sale. Too bad there weren't more serious bidders in the mix, but I hope you feel you got a fair price. Not clear why it did not come closer to the July 280SL record but still a solid result.

[mdsalemi]

Congratulations on yesterday's sale. Too bad there weren't more serious bidders in the mix, but I hope you feel you got a fair price. Not clear why it did not come closer to the July 280SL record but still a solid result.

I think the sale price of $170K was pretty good.

The market (whether one agrees with it or not) has always placed a higher value on the 280. Similarly the relative rarity of the 250 never played into value. All of Hagerty’s valuations as well as the former SL Market Letter were/are based on actual sales data.

[lreppond]

I think the sale price of $170K was pretty good.

The market (whether one agrees with it or not) has always placed a higher value on the 280. Similarly the relative rarity of the 250 never played into value. All of Hagerty’s valuations as well as the former SL Market Letter were/are based on actual sales data.

From an enthusiast’s point of view, the 230SL which recently sold was nothing short of remarkable. It was obvious it was done by someone with both talent and a clear understanding and passion of these particular cars.  That said, Michael is spot on: the top prices seem to almost always go to 280’s (or 5 speeds).  I can’t explain this from an empirical standpoint but the numbers don’t lie.