Having been in production for only just over a year, the Mercedes 250SL is the rarest variant of the timeless W113 ‘Pagoda’, and this particular example is beautifully presented following a recent restoration. After being in German ownership during the 1970s, it had been exported to Hawaii by 1988 and the history file even includes some road maps from the island. The 250SL remained there into the 1990s before passing to a new owner in California, and from there it was exported to the UK in 2005. In recent years, it has been treated to a meticulous rebuild using specialists including D-Class, SLS in Germany and The SL Shop. The work is documented in the car’s extensive history file and included a full glass-out respray in Signal Red, plus a rebuild of the 2.5-litre straight-six engine. That process included a reground crankshaft with new bearings. The block was cleaned, while the cylinder head was skimmed before being rebuilt with new valves, springs, guides and seats. The camshaft lobes were polished, the oil pump and fuel-injection system were reconditioned, a new timing chain was fitted, and a new clutch and flywheel were installed. The interior was retrimmed, with black Mercedes grained leather being specified throughout, along with ‘salt and pepper’ carpets. A new mohair hood was also fitted, plus a new wood kit for the dashboard and surrounds, and Mercedes-branded seat belts were specified. The finishing touch inside was a new Becker Europa Vintage RM radio with correct 1967 Mercedes knobs and a Hirschman electric wing aerial. The exhaust system and headlights were replaced, and Michelin whitewall tyres fitted. In total, more than £36,000 was spent on retrimming, new parts and subsequent servicing. The end result of that time and investment is a Mercedes 250SL that is now being offered for sale in exceptional condition following its restoration, and which must be one of the very best examples on the market.