1967 Mercedes-Benz 250 SL Convertible

Always known as the "Pagoda" SL thanks to the distinctively dished hardtop, the W113 range was launched as the 230 SL in 1963 with a powerful six-cylinder engine, typically sophisticated German engineering and attractive styling by talented designer Paul Bracq. Effectively replacing both the four-cylinder 190 SL and the exotic 300 SL, the new model successfully combined elements of both in a versatile and chic design that has stood the test of time well. In 1966, the 250 SL was announced with a larger 2.5-litre motor lifted from the contemporary S-Class sedan and the unit - designated M129 by Stuttgart - now had a seven main bearing crankshaft (instead of four) for smoother running and a longer stroke to improve torque. Other changes were made to the SL's chassis at the same time, with rubber-bushed suspension eliminating the need for greasing during servicing and ATE disc brakes were fitted at the rear, along with slightly wider rims, a choice of back axle ratios and a limited-slip diff. With its replacement, the 280 SL, arriving just eleven months after the first 250 SL left the Stuttgart production line, it was always going to be the rarest of the 'pagoda' family and just 5,196 were built in total - with many pundits claiming it was the best of the lot.