WOLF Feature . 3rd September 2024
Interesting and factual information may be provided, but our review aims to deliver insight from the perspective of a WOLF Architect.
All models great and small.
Introduction
Product Focus
The W113 Pagoda SL Mercedes has always been a WOLF favourite so in this review, we gathered all the scale models we could find relating to this iconic roadster. The Pagoda SL Mercedes was in production from 1963 to 1971, and evolved from a 230SL into a 250SL and then finally a 280SL.
Price and Availability.
This was a popular Mercedes so over its 8-year production period there were many related toys. Most car toys in the 60s were still produced out of tin so the Pagoda SL had quite a few tin models that were usually made in Japan. These earlier toys are particularly sought after and especially hard to find in good condition. Expect to pay hundreds of dollars for mint examples and even more if they have good original boxes. Apart from the tin toys, most other plastic and die-cast models are readily available on the second-hand market.
Additional information
So beautiful is this car that that new toy models of the W113 continue to be made till present day. The collection in this review consists of about 80 models and is considered relatively complete but we believe there are many more tin models which could bring the total closer to a hundred.
Review
Review.
The Pagoda existed in every scale and manufactured in many different places so it can be challenging to find them all. The toys in this review are all in silver for comparison purposes. Note that not all toys were made in silver, so some of the models showcased here are custom painted.
All models together are an impressive sight.
The largest Pagoda toy that we know of was made in Western Germany by Arnold and spans 43 cm. By contrast the smallest that we know of was by IMU and approximately 2.5CM in length.
Biggest & smallest.
Schuco’s Pagoda looking smart with black roof and matching black hubcaps.
There are several different 1/18 scale Pagoda models that we could identify and all were available in silver. We believe the Schuco toy to be the most accurate, followed closely by Norev’s version.
1:24 Scale Mercedes were never popular in general though it is quite a nice size being in between the more common large 1/18 and smaller 1/43 scaled toys. Here are the few 1:24 scale Pagoda’s that we know of.
Here are around a dozen tin Pagodas, and we believe there are more out there to be discovered.
Here is a tin toy by Haji with custom silver paint. We love its proportions and smaller size with open top and white bucket seats.
Operable doors in a tin toy car was very innovative and rare.
Old school charm with battery operated features!
This Tin toy had a clear Perspex bonnet allowing kids to marvel at a group of colourful gears in motion.
There were a handful of Pagoda toys with remote-controlled features, though some had connecting cords that were rather cumbersome. The most famous and sort after of them are the large tin SL cars made by Masudaya which was also branded as Radicon. These tin toys are substantial, very collectible, and can cost several hundred dollars for a clean working example. A mint in original box example can potentially fetch over a thousand dollars.
The Masudaya and Radicon Pagodas came in beige with Maroon roof and metallic grey with beige roof. The metallic grey versions are very hard to find.
The silver model in this shot was a custom paint job.
The original box with retro artwork. You can learn more about these at this link: https://taraswolf.com/tin-mercedes-230sl-masudaya-radicon-1960s/
Gama had a remote-controlled plastic car at 1:12 scale was a very rare scale for this car.
This 280SL by Premium ClassiXXs is the only other 1:12 scale Pagoda we know of. They are expensive and well detailed though unfortunately do not have operable doors, boots or bonnets.
A group shot of the five big boys with a 1/43 scale little guy in there for size comparison.
These Pagodas made our shortlist for models with the best detail and accuracy.
For a long time, the models made by Pauls Model Art or Minichamps had the best detail and accuracy for 1/43 scale cars, but more recently other brands have lived up to the challenge.
Here are the two smallest die-cast Pagodas that we know of, an IMU’s SL at 1/160 scale and a Schuco Piccolo 230SL at 1/90 scale. Both of these were custom painted in silver. The Piccolo deserves a special mention because even though the form is rather cartoon like, the rolling action of the wheels are some of the smoothest, we’ve experienced.
The Piccolo Benz with a custom silver Lone Star Tuf-Tots in the background.
Customisation is not restricted to the paint colour. In some of these models the interiors were also changed. If you have the time you can also personalise the number plates and create beautiful bases such as with the timber base seen here.
The Pagoda was also made in numerous cheaper plastics as a more affordable toy. Often, they are quite bright and colourful.
Of all the colourful plastic toys, this yellow one by Glico in Japan is one of the smallest models and possibly also the most rare as we have never found another one like it.
WORD OF THE WOLF
It would be hard to own every scale Mercedes of a particular model, especially if it’s an iconic car such as the Pagoda or Gullwing. Many collectors therefore choose to focus on a particular era, or scale. If you own a real-life Mercedes, our suggestion would be to focus the same car as a toy and in the same colour. Having said that some people own a lot of real-life Mercedes cars, so trying to own every model ever made for such collectors could be an eye-watering and time-consuming task.
Disclaimer
The information in this review is intended for informational or educational purposes to provide readers an understanding of how something may be seen from a certain design perspective. In this case it is from the view point of WOLF DESIGNS. As design is subjective this review should only be considered as an independent opinion. Information further to being of an opinion is provided to the best of our knowledge based on our own research at the time of doing the review. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or inconsistencies and reserve the right to change or update any content as appropriate.
The final responsibility of the design resides with the original manufacturer.