This 230SL 'Pagoda' has the manual transmission and power steering options and was delivered new to a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Fulda, West Germany in May 1966. The car's first private owner was Colonel Adrian St John II of the United States Army, who had recently been posted from Vietnam to command the 14th Armoured Cavalry Regiment stationed in the Fulda Gap near the border with East Germany. Two years later, in 1969, he was promoted to Brigadier General and returned to the USA, bringing the 230SL with him to Texas where it spent the next 43 years in the Lone Star State's dry climate. A Major General when he retired from Army service in 1977, Adrian St John II continued to serve his country as a diplomat and was commended by three Presidents for his outstanding efforts on behalf of world peace. In 1985 the 230SL was sold to the Texas Rangers baseball club manager, Bobby Valentine, a former professional player who has managed a succession of top clubs. A living legend known as 'Bobby V' or 'Big Daddy V', he kept the Mercedes-Benz for 16 years, selling it in 2001 to a Mr Payne, another Texas resident. The car was registered in Ohio when it was acquired by the current vendor in 2012. Brought to Holland, it has been completely restored by a marque specialist in 100% compliance with its Mercedes-Benz factory data card and is finished in correct graphite grey (190G) with MB-Tex Caviar Black interior and matching soft-top. The body was stripped to bare metal, restored and repainted, and the engine completely overhauled with new piston rings, valves, etc. We are advised that the fuel injection pump works well having been overhauled few years ago by Koller & Schwemmer, and that the fuel pump is a new Mercedes-Benz unit. The only modern addition is a silver iPod connected to the Becker radio, loaded with period-correct music. Prior to restoration the odometer displayed 87,000 miles. During restoration it was converted to metric and set to 20,000 kilometres. The car comes with tool kit, jack, spare wheel, Mercedes-Benz pouch, original owner's handbook, original driver's manual from 1966 in pristine condition, and some 230SL promotional brochures from 1965 (used during restoration). Accompanying documentation consists of restoration invoices, old US certificates of title, importation paperwork and proof of EU duties paid in Holland. The car is not registered yet but carries German Stuttgart 'Zoll' plates, believed circa 1969.
This 230SL 'Pagoda' has the manual transmission and power steering options and was delivered new to a Mercedes-Benz dealer in Fulda, West Germany in May 1966. The car's first private owner was Colonel Adrian St John II of the United States Army, who had recently been posted from Vietnam to command the 14th Armoured Cavalry Regiment stationed in the Fulda Gap near the border with East Germany. Two years later, in 1969, he was promoted to Brigadier General and returned to the USA, bringing the 230SL with him to Texas where it spent the next 43 years in the Lone Star State's dry climate. A Major General when he retired from Army service in 1977, Adrian St John II continued to serve his country as a diplomat and was commended by three Presidents for his outstanding efforts on behalf of world peace. In 1985 the 230SL was sold to the Texas Rangers baseball club manager, Bobby Valentine, a former professional player who has managed a succession of top clubs. A living legend known as 'Bobby V' or 'Big Daddy V', he kept the Mercedes-Benz for 16 years, selling it in 2001 to a Mr Payne, another Texas resident. The car was registered in Ohio when it was acquired by the current vendor in 2012. Brought to Holland, it has been completely restored by a marque specialist in 100% compliance with its Mercedes-Benz factory data card and is finished in correct graphite grey (190G) with MB-Tex Caviar Black interior and matching soft-top. The body was stripped to bare metal, restored and repainted, and the engine completely overhauled with new piston rings, valves, etc. We are advised that the fuel injection pump works well having been overhauled few years ago by Koller & Schwemmer, and that the fuel pump is a new Mercedes-Benz unit. The only modern addition is a silver iPod connected to the Becker radio, loaded with period-correct music. Prior to restoration the odometer displayed 87,000 miles. During restoration it was converted to metric and set to 20,000 kilometres. The car comes with tool kit, jack, spare wheel, Mercedes-Benz pouch, original owner's handbook, original driver's manual from 1966 in pristine condition, and some 230SL promotional brochures from 1965 (used during restoration). Accompanying documentation consists of restoration invoices, old US certificates of title, importation paperwork and proof of EU duties paid in Holland. The car is not registered yet but carries German Stuttgart 'Zoll' plates, believed circa 1969.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
