Matchbox 27d; Mercedes-Benz 230SL

Nice little model of the second generation Mercedes-Benz SL (W113) made from 1963 to 1971, known as the 'Pagoda' because of the shape of it's optional hard-top roof, of course this version has no roof, so the point is a bit lost really. The Matchbox model spanned the period between regular wheels and Superfast and is found with both black plastic regular wheels or Superfast wheels. It has opening doors.

Matchbox released its 230SL in 1966 with black plastic regular wheels. the regular wheels version is always white, off-white or cream with a red interior. In 1970 it was converted to Superfast wheels initially remaining off-white with red seats. Early Superfast models were fitted with narrow wheels, later cars were fitted with wider wheels and the wheel arches were enlarged to accommodate them, spoiling the look of the car in my view. In 1971 the body colour was changed to yellow, retaining the red seats. In the same year the seats were changed to black and the model was always yellow with black seats after this point until its deletion in 1973.

Regular wheels versions are fairly common as are the later yellow wide-wheel Superfasts with black seats. Most desirable is the early white narrow wheels Superfast, followed by the yellow car with red seats.