Mercedes-Benz Hardtop for W113 SL

Mercedes-Benz W113 Pagoda hardtop is one of the most famous automotive components in history, earning its nickname from the slightly concave, inward-sloping roofline designed by Béla Barényi for safety and structural rigidity.

Listing Details

• Removable Hardtop for W113 Mercedes SL
• Beige Paint
• Bright Trim
• Beige MB-Tex Headliner
• Interior Grab Handles
• Mounting Hardware
• Rolling Stand Included

If you own a “Pagoda” without its hardtop, or are looking to restore one, the 2026 market is divided between “barn find” cores and museum-grade restorations.

1. The Pagoda Design Utility

The hardtop wasn’t just an aesthetic choice; it was an engineering solution.

• Concave Shape: The thin pillars and raised edges were designed to maximize glass area and headroom while providing rollover protection.

• Weight: It is a heavy unit, made of steel with significant chrome-plated brass trim. Removing or installing it is strictly a two-person job to avoid scratching the rear “deck” (tonneau cover) of the car.

• Rear Window: Original units feature a curved glass rear window with delicate wood trim on the inside, which is often the first part to suffer from water damage or sun rot.

2. Market Value (2026 Estimates)

Prices for hardtops have scaled alongside the 230/250/280SL vehicle values, which now average well over $130,000.

• Core Unit (Needs Restoration): $2,500 – $4,500. These often have pitted chrome, torn headliners, and expired rubber seals.

• Good Original/Survivor: $6,000 – $8,500. Found in dry storage, typically matching the car’s original paint code.

• Professionally Restored: $12,000 – $18,000. These feature show-quality chrome (which alone can cost $4,000+), new OEM-spec headliners, and fresh seals.

3. Restoration & “Chrome Traps”

Restoring a Pagoda hardtop is notoriously expensive because of the labor involved:

• Chrome Plating: The hardtop is adorned with long, thin strips of brass trim. If these are bent, they are extremely difficult to straighten before plating.

• Headliner: Original headliners are made of a perforated MB-Tex or wool. Replacing them requires removing the glass, which risks breaking the rare original window seals.

• Seals: A complete set of high-quality rubber seals for the hardtop currently costs between $800 and $1,200.

4. Essential Storage Accessories

Because these tops spend 90% of their lives off the car, proper storage is mandatory to prevent the frame from warping.

• Hardtop Stand/Dolly: A basic rolling stand with a dust cover costs roughly $220 – $250.

• Ceiling Hoist: For those with garage space, a manual or electric hoist system allows you to lift the top directly off the car. These range from $350 to $600.

• Hardtop Handles: Many owners buy aftermarket “suction handles” to make lifting the top safer and easier on the back.