Mercedes-Benz 230SL Pininfarina Coupé

Vehicle Overview

The Mercedes-Benz 230SL Pininfarina: It should be noted that in the 60s the creation of individual bodies based on production models was not uncommon, and the Turin company Pininfarina was one of the leaders in the manufacture of individual original bodies. As it does not seem strange to us today, not everyone enthusiastically welcomed the creation of Paul Bracq and Bela Barenyi, since the roof in the style of the Chinese pagoda was very unusual and required getting used to. The general styling of the car was also unusual, which the modern press considered too rectangular with wide flat surfaces, which contradicted the image of an elegant roadster / coupe, especially from the trendsetters of automobile fashion in this direction – the Italians. Therefore, Pininfarina’s desire to demonstrate her vision of the 230 SL looks natural. Pininfarina’s leadership organized a contest among their designers for a two-seat coupe based on the 230 SL, already at the first stage, the project of the young 28-year-old American designer Tom Tjaarda was choosen. Tom decided to keep the platform, the interior, most of the glass, optics, radiator grille of the original bodywork. When designing, Tom took into account the possibility of expanding small-scale production, and possibly completely replacing the original body with the newly designed Mercedes-Benz factory. In 1964, at the Paris Motor Show, the silver Mercedes-Benz 230SL Pininfarina Coupé was unveiled to the public. The car was well received and about thirty potential customers turned to Pininfarina with an order request. However, the coupe remained a one off, which was sold to the German newspaper tycoon Axel Springer (Axel Springer), after which the coupe received the second name “Springer Pagoda”. In 1992, the Pininfarina 230 SL was shown, finished in red, at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance by its newest owner, Detroit-based collector Bernie Glieberman, where it earned a Second in Class award. Then in 1997, the Mercedes-Benz 230SL Pininfarina Coupe caught the eye of lifelong automotive enthusiast and collector Weston Hook and his wife Elona, of Southern California. Excited by their latest purchase, the Hooks contacted their trusted friend Jerry Hjeltness of Escondido, California – who had previously restored an early Gullwing for their collection – to renew the 230 SL in its original colors, with the goal of competing on Pebble Beach’s 18th fairway that August. Jerry Hjeltness and his son Eric refinished the body in its original German Racing Silver and re-trimmed the interior, taking care to preserve its unique details. A fortuitous connection made possible the casting of a new windshield from scratch with little time to spare, and the missing Pininfarina-crafted rear license plate frame was re-created with its original details. When the car made its return to Pebble Beach that year, it was awarded First in Class, with Tom Tjaarda on hand to speak to the 230 SL’s many admirers that day. The Hook family continued to cherish and selectively share the car with the public at concours and exhibitions, large and small, for the next 25 years. It has been the recipient of numerous trophies and never fails to draw a crowd wherever it is shown. In 2014, after Mr. Hook’s passing, Elona and her son were invited to display the Mercedes-Benz 230SL Pininfarina Coupe at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy, and they regard the honor as the highlight of their years with the car.

Photo courtesy of Gooding & Co.