Page 90 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

The Knowledge
dFirst, the good news. Between the Mercedes Classic Center and a host of aftermarket sources, original and reproduction parts are generally easy to get – though often pricey. The Classic Center is a great resource, as is the well-attended Pagoda forum, www.sl113.org.
dMercedes, like Porsche, was meticulous about record keeping and each car was delivered with a “data card” that showed, in detail, its color, options, engine number and even the key numbers (which can still be used to order replacement keys). While there is some data stamped
on each car (ie, original color), these data cards are enormously helpful in documenting the car’s originality. In addition, each car’s “body number” is marked on the hood, the hardtop, the transmission mount and the tonneau cover. This can immediately show you if any of these key parts have been replaced.
dAs befits the three-pointed star in the grille, these were spectacularly well made cars, with very stiff chassis and perfectly trimmed coachwork. But, like all cars of this era, they had minimal rustproofing and corrosion is inevitable in any multi-season example (these were often daily drivers back in the day, after all, and Mercedes even offered optional ski racks for the hardtop!). Aluminum in the hood, deck and doors protects those areas, but rot is often prevalent in the trunk, lower fenders, floors and rockers. Unless you’re a true masochist, a rusty restoration project is far from fun.
dPagoda cognoscenti obsess about original fender welds and the presence of small notches next to the headlamp surrounds. The Pagoda’s front end was made up of multiple panels welded together with leaded seams and replacement fenders won’t typically have the correct spot welds. On other hand, the presence (or absence)
of the notches does not automatically indicate fender replacement as they were often filled in during a repaint.
dEngines are generally very robust (100,000 miles
(or more) is not extraordinary), though the 230 engines live a harder life with fewer main bearings. The highly sophisticated Bosch fuel injection system is the car’s main Achilles heel. Properly set up and maintained, engines will reliably start and run beautifully, but poor maintenance,
unskilled repairs and extended storage are not its friends. There are several companies that provide competent injection pump rebuilds, but it takes an experienced specialist to set the system up correctly. The Pagoda forum has an excellent guide to understanding how everything works.
dIn addition to the fuel injection system, the suspension needs regular attention to replace worn bushings. These were cars designed for long lives, but they need regular chassis lubrication.
dThe folding top is in principle well designed, with good sealing and a tailored appearance. Its operation being a bit more complex than other cars of the era, Mercedes actually put together a booklet showing owners how to operate it correctly. Unfortunately, a running change after the 230 SL sometimes causes the rear bow of the top to get stuck in the storage well, leading to expensive repairs to fix bent top bows.
dThe horsehair-stuffed seats and their metal springs eventually succumb to wear and start to collapse. MB- Tex lasts better than leather and Tex seats can often be brought back to life with a good rebuild. There are many sources for seat covers, door cards, tops and carpets.
dElectrics are generally reliable, but anything that goes wrong behind the otherwise beautiful instrument panel can be a bear to fix due to limited access. Replacing the heater core is a particular nightmare – some say that the Pagoda was built around it!
dMany cars were fitted with radios from new, usually Beckers. The 230 SLs used a unique, smaller-nose radio that can’t be replaced with a standard DIN-spec unit, leading many owners to cut up the instrument panel to create a larger slot. Fortunately, this is a separate part and can be replaced. Becker offers a rebuild service for their radios, which can be upgraded to include Bluetooth or auxiliary inputs. Some owners have installed speakers in the rear storage area, a real turnoff for the purists.
88Wayne CariniAffordable Classics