The development car Mercedes-Benz used to perfect the 230 SL

If you’re looking for a Mercedes-Benz 230 SL with a bit of history, consider this one. Its original owner was Daimler-Benz’s head of development and research, Fritz Nallinger. He used it to help perfect the platform.

This example comes with a wealth of documentation of those test drives by Nallinger. He noted improvements to be made, such as resolving a high level of noise in the cabin.

As a preproduction car, this 230 SL comes with a few peculiarities. The single seat in the rear of the car faces forward, unlike the sideward-mounted one in the production car. It is also considered to be the first 230 SL with an automatic transmission and power steering.

Find this 1963 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL Factory Development Car up for auction at RM Sotheby’s, with an estimated value of $280,000-$365,000

Development car or not, I just really like the color.

In reply to Colin Wood :

Think about it...Now days we disguise the development cars. MB wanted the spy shots circulating, they had been facing a lot of criticism for their "old" styling prior to this car.

In reply to TurnerX19 :

I love the old-school art of generating a buzz. Today's marketeers could learn something from that.