Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Roadster · 2nd generation SL
W113
The car named after its roof.
- Production
- 1963–1971
- Built
- 48,912
- Body
- 2-door roadster
- Models
- 230/250/280 SL
Unveiled at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show, the W113 replaced both the storied 300 SL and the entry-level 190 SL with a single, safety-conscious roadster — one whose concave hardtop soon earned it a nickname borrowed from an Asian temple: the Pagoda.
Engineered around Béla Barényi's crash-safety principles, the Pagoda paired a rigid passenger cell with front and rear crumple zones, years before such thinking became industry standard — all wrapped in Paul Bracq's clean, understated lines.
Across three model designations — 230, 250 and 280 SL — and nearly eight years of production, Mercedes-Benz built 48,912 examples of the W113 before handing over to the R107 in 1971.
Every model.
3 distinct series across 1963–1971 — from the 230 SL to the 280 SL, each identified by its chassis, engine and transmission numbers.
| Modello | Model year | Telaio | Motore | Cambio | USA | Altri | Totale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 230 SL | 1963–1967 | 113.042 | 127.981 | 230 SL-E (K4A025) · ZF S5-20 | 4,752 | 15,079 | 19,831 |
| 250 SL | 1966–1968 | 113.043 | 127.982 | 230 SL-E (K4A025) · ZF S5-20 | 1,761 | 3,435 | 5,196 |
| 280 SL | 1967–1971 | 113.044 | 127.983 | GA 280 SE (K4A025) · ZF S5-20 | 12,927 | 10,958 | 23,885 |
* Il dato di produzione pubblicato copre tutte le serie di quel modello; la fonte non lo scompone ulteriormente.
K4A025x 4-speed automaticZF S5-20x 5-speed manual
Year by year.
Nearly eight years of continuous refinement, from wheel width to safety equipment. These are the changes that matter when dating a Pagoda.
- 1964
- Wheel width increased from 5.5 to 6 inches.
- Spare tire well removed; tire mounted horizontally.
- 1965
- Exhaust manifold changed from sheet steel to cast iron; exhaust head pipes changed to match.
- Engine oil dipstick vent and filter omitted.
- Shape of horn ring changed from round to a flattened top segment.
- Gear shift lever bent forward 55mm.
- Intake air heating coil added ahead of throttle housing.
- Form of crankcase vent line changed from two-piece metal to one-piece plastic; the mounting to the valve cover also changed from a hollow screw to a rubber sleeve.
- 1966
- The five-speed manual ZF S5-20 transmission made available as an option.
- 1967
- Coupe-only version with rear bench seat introduced.
- Engine fan with viscous drive made standard.
- Shape of cooling water tank changed from flat top to round top.
- Water pump made self-lubricating.
- Metal loom for ignition wires omitted, replaced by plastic clips.
- Injection pump oil filter cap changed from metal to plastic.
- Seven main bearing engine adopted.
- Coolant capacity increased from 10.8 to 12.9 liters.
- Fuel tank capacity increased from 65 to 82 liters.
- Rear disc brakes introduced.
- Front anti-roll bar diameter decreased from 22mm to 20mm.
- Symbols added to turn signal switch.
- Instrument panel made in one piece instead of split.
- Interior door handle, lock and window crank changed (the 1967 250 SL had the same door hardware as the 230 SL; the 1968 250 SL had the same door hardware as the 280 SL).
- Sun visor mounting changed.
- Shape of horn ring changed again.
- Form of rear-view and side-view mirrors changed.
- Side reflectors added to fenders.
- Chrome discontinued on windshield wipers, horn ring, rear-view mirror and door strikers.
- Face of ignition lock changed from convex to concave.
- Control knobs flattened.
- Steering wheel hub made collapsible, shape changed.
- Dash top padding rounded.
- Injection pump control shaft changed.
- Brake fluid level warning device added to master cylinder.
- 1968
- Chrome strip under rear license plate omitted.
- Number plate moved from front firewall to front door jamb.
- Firewall insulation pad material changed from coarse to smooth.
- Mirror in passenger sun visor omitted.
- Hardtop front locking handles made separate.
- Solid door pockets changed to elastic.
- Interior material changed from wool boucle to synthetic tufted material.
- Heater and air vent levers made rubber instead of plastic.
- Legend plates added around light switch and heater controls.
- Emergency four-way flasher made standard.
- Floor covering changed from rubber mats to synthetic carpet.
- Headrests added to seats.
- Oil/coolant-type cooler replaced by oil/air-type cooler.
- Angle of oil filter housing changed.
- Covers for sub-frame mounts changed.
- Injection pump oil filter cap omitted.
- Separate intake air heating coil omitted, made integral with throttle housing.
- Rubber sleeve added to crankcase vent line.
- Diaphragm-type clutch adopted.
- Wheel covers made one piece, form changed after chassis number 000045.
- Steering relay lever changed, housing made self-lubricating.
- 1969
- Lights incorporated in side reflectors.
- Ignition, door, trunk and gas cap keys combined.
- Rear window heating element added, switch in parcel tray.
- Cold start solenoid omitted from injection pump.
- Wheel covers polished to satin.
- Form of wiper blades changed.
- 1970
- Optional rear axle ratios discontinued.
- New colors added, existing colors changed.
- Number plate moved from front to rear of door jamb.
- Tail light colors changed, lens made separate from chrome.
- New seat fabrics.
- Power brake vacuum line made plastic, moisture trap omitted.
- Cooling water header tank made plastic.
- Form of engine oil filter cap changed from cast screw-on to stamped bayonet-type mount.
- Shape of intake air box changed.
- Engine oil dipstick tube made longer, dipstick handle changed.
- Temperature sensors added to thermostat housing and cylinder head.
- Idle air housing shape changed.
- Distributor advance/retard speed sensors added.
- Ignition transistorized.
- Wheels changed to pierced with round holes.
