Pick Of The Day: 1967 Mercedes-benz 250sl

Each generation of the Mercedes-Benz SL has its own unique identity. The original is known for its racing roots and distinctive gullwing doors. The third iteration is famous for the introduction of V-8 engines and its long production run. A V-12 and numerous technological innovations were incorporated into the R129 generation. Its R230 successor stood out for its retractable hardtop. And what about the second-generation SL? Don’t worry, I’ll get into that with our latest Pick of the Day. You can find this 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It comes with a blue removable “Pagoda” hardtop, and the below video gives an exterior/interior tour and shows a road test.

Mercedes itself doesn’t try to hide the fact that the W113 version of the SL was a departure from its predecessors, the 190SL and 300SL roadsters. The second-gen model introduced at the 230SL at the 1963 Geneva Motor Show was “neither an irredeemably tough roadster, nor a gentle boulevard-sports car — rather, it was a comfortable two-seated GT car with an excellent driving performance and maximum driving safety.” It was also the SL that brought features that are still part of the SL line today.

Yes, the W113’s most distinctive feature is its removable “Pagoda” hardtop with a concave design that resembles the lines of Asian temples, but its less obvious features are more significant. The SL was designed with safety in mind, which led to the incorporation of front and rear crumple zones, courtesy of engineer Béla Barényi, who also determined that the hardtop’s signature dip made it more stable than a convex bulge. A four-speed manual was standard equipment but, for the first time since its introduction back in the 1950s, the SL was available with a four-speed automatic, combining a carefree driving experience with convenience.

In early 1967, Mercedes introduced the 230SL’s more powerful replacement, the 250SL, which used a stroked, 2.5-liter version of the earlier car’s straight-six. Not only did the 250SL offer 150 horsepower and 10 percent more torque, but it also had a longer driving range thanks to a larger fuel tank. Despite these improvements, the 250SL was only produced for a short time, from December 1966 until January 1968, then was replaced by the 280SL.

The car you see here comes from that brief period in SL history — and is equipped with the automatic. According to the selling dealer, “This 250 SL is believed to be a two-owner car, showing just 54,609 miles. It runs and drives well, reflecting years of responsible ownership.” That explains why its factory air conditioning, original Becker AM/FM radio, gauges, lights, wipers, and horn still work. Of course, time can do a number on the paint. Fortunately, this SL has a fresh coat of white paint, which makes the blue soft top and Pagoda hardtop even more noticeable.

The dealer sums up the driving experience (some of which is shown in the video below) by stating that this 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250SL is “exactly what you’d hope for — smooth, composed, and confidence-inspiring. It’s a car that feels equally at home on a relaxed weekend drive or out on the open road.” For $79,900, you can do both.

Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com