The Pagoda is the quintessential classic Mercedes.
The"Pagoda" SL might seem austere and plain on paper, but it was a technical masterpiece when new in 1963 and still a marvel to drive now.Mercedes passenger cars from the automaker's golden era—the Fifties until the mid-Nineties—are curious when viewed through a modern lens. Expensive, not particularly well-equipped, nor particularly fast, and almost austere to some eyes. They're also some of the finest cars ever made.
In its day, the SL competed with the Jaguar E-Type, Porsche 911, and the Chevrolet Corvette. I've never driven a Sixties Corvette, but I have spent time in a '67 E-Type and a number of 911s from the period, and the Pagoda feels far more modern and refined. A look at its mechanical specification makes it obvious why.Like the"Fintail'' W111 and W112 sedans it was based on, the Pagoda is one of the first cars based around a passenger safety cell with deformable crumple zones.
What really took me by surprise was the engine. Like all Pagodas, the 280's straight-six is fit with Bosch mechanical fuel injection and it provides smooth, effortless power. This Pagoda is surprisingly quick despite having over 3100 pounds of steel to push around. Heavy by the standards of the day, though far lighter than any other SL since. The sound the 'six makes as it crests 3500 rpm, is delectable.
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