Reviving a Classic: The Electrification of a Mercedes 230 SL Pagoda

Electrifying a Pagoda Legend

In the world of classic cars, few vehicles are as iconic as the 1966 Mercedes-Benz “Pagoda” 230 SL. With its elegant lines, distinctive roof, and luxurious interior, this car epitomizes mid-century automotive design. However, as much as we love these vintage beauties, their aging internal combustion engines often leave much to be desired regarding reliability and environmental impact. That’s where Moment Motor Company steps in.

The Beginning of a New Chapter

The story of this particular Pagoda SL began with a passionate owner who had always dreamed of bringing his beloved Mercedes back to life—but with a modern twist. Although visually striking, the car was far from roadworthy when it arrived at Moment’s Austin, Texas workshop. The engine was tired, the drivetrain outdated, and the car was a far cry from the sleek, reliable machine it once was. Enter Marc Davis, CEO of Moment Motor Company, who took on the challenge with the enthusiasm and precision that have become the hallmark of his team’s work.

“We started by collaborating with Unique Cars of Palm Beach,” Marc recalls. “They handled the full restoration, getting the car back to its original, pristine condition. The owner had a specific vision in mind—a silver exterior with a rich red interior—and we made sure to deliver exactly that. Once the car was in perfect shape, it was our turn to do what we do best: electrify it without losing its soul.”

Under the Hood

Now, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty. At the heart of this electric Pagoda SL is a Cascadia SS250 motor, a powerhouse capable of delivering 508 Nm (375 foot-pounds) of torque while developing 225 kW (300 hp). That’s more than enough to propel the Pagoda down the highway with the kind of effortless power that modern drivers expect, all while maintaining the smooth, refined ride that Mercedes is known for.

“The Cascadia motor is paired with a CM200 inverter, a combination we’ve found to be just about perfect for this kind of build,” Marc explains. “We’re running a 62 kWh battery pack, which is more than enough to give this car a solid range while keeping the weight distribution optimal. This isn’t just about slapping an electric motor in there and calling it a day—we’re very deliberate about how we integrate these systems to ensure the car drives as beautifully as it looks.”

Battery placement in a classic car like the Pagoda SL is always a challenge, but Moment’s modular approach makes it work. The car houses two-thirds of its battery pack in custom-designed ‘44W’ battery boxes up front. These boxes, which Marc and his team design in-house, contain four rows of four VDA 355 modules, all liquid-cooled with integrated chill plates to keep everything running smoothly. “The ‘W’ in 44W stands for wide,” Marc says, “and that orientation allowed us to fit everything under the hood without disrupting the car’s original lines.”

The remaining battery modules are housed in a ‘42L’ battery box located near the rear differential. This strategic placement not only helps maintain the car’s weight distribution but also preserves the trunk space—a key consideration for owners who want to enjoy their classic cars without sacrificing practicality. “We could have just thrown the batteries wherever they fit, but that’s not how we do things,” Marc says. “By placing them near the rear differential, we keep the weight over the rear wheels, which improves handling and keeps the car feeling balanced and responsive.”

A Drive Like No Other

For those who might be wondering how all these modern components translate into the driving experience, Marc is quick to share his enthusiasm. “This car wasn’t designed to be a muscle car, but with the new drivetrain, it’s an absolute joy to drive. You’ve got this beautiful, silent power that just glides down the highway. It’s fingertip driving—smooth, effortless, and completely engaging.”

One of the most remarkable aspects of this build is how much of the car’s original character has been preserved, even as it’s been thoroughly modernized. Step inside, and you’re greeted by the same luxurious interior that made the Pagoda SL a favorite among the jet set in the 1960s. The original gauges have been lovingly restored, but with a twist: they’ve been converted to display the car’s new electric metrics. “Dan at Peterson in the UK did the gauge conversions for us,” Marc says. “The tachometer is now a kilowatt gauge, the fuel gauge shows the battery’s state of charge, and we’ve added readouts for the battery pack and the inverter temperatures. It’s all designed so you can drive the car without constantly checking a screen, just like you would with the original setup.”

And speaking of the driving experience, one of the most significant changes is the absence of a traditional gear shift. “We’ve done away with the gear shift entirely,” Marc explains. “Now you just have simple buttons for forward, reverse, and park. The park function is handled by an automated electric parking brake, which is incredibly easy to use. Just turn the key, press the button, and you’re off.”

Overcoming Challenges

As with any custom build, there were challenges along the way, particularly when it came to the driveline. The original two-piece driveshaft was not up to the task of handling the electric motor’s torque, leading to some trial and error before the team found the perfect solution. “We experimented with a reduction gearbox at first, but it had too much power,” Marc admits. “It was burning through tires and putting a strain on the differential, so we ultimately decided to replace it with a single-piece aluminum driveshaft. It’s perfectly balanced, and it drives like a dream.”

One of the unique aspects of converting a classic car to electric is the way it highlights imperfections that would typically be masked by the noise and vibrations of an internal combustion engine. “When you go electric, suddenly all those little rattles and squeaks that were drowned out by the engine noise become very apparent,” Marc says. “We spend a lot of time chasing down those noises and making sure the car is as smooth and quiet as possible. The end result has to be a seamless, perfect driving experience—no compromises.”

A Family Affair

For the car’s owner, converting this Pagoda SL was more than just about getting a modern, reliable vehicle—it was about preserving a piece of family history. “This car is very personal for the owner,” Marc explains. “He and his son are looking forward to driving it together and creating new memories. That’s what makes projects like this so rewarding for us. We’re not just building cars; we’re helping to create moments that last a lifetime.”

The process of restoring and converting the Pagoda SL took about a year from start to finish, with eight months dedicated to the restoration and four months to the electrification. “It might seem like a long time, but considering the level of detail and customization involved, it’s a pretty quick turnaround. This particular Pagoda took longer because it was one of our first, but the ones after this have been four to six months.” Marc says. “Once the car is with us, we can usually finish the conversion in about four months, assuming we have all the components ready to go. That includes test driving and fine-tuning everything to make sure it’s perfect.”

Driving into the Future

For Marc and his team, each conversion is a labor of love, a chance to take a cherished classic and give it a new lease on life. “We’re proud of how this build turned out,” Marc says. “It’s a great package—everything just came together beautifully. And the best part is seeing the owner’s face when they take the car out for the first time. That’s why we do what we do.”

For those who share this passion for classic cars and want to explore the possibilities of electrification, Moment Motor Company is ready to make those dreams a reality. Whether it’s a Mercedes-Benz, a Porsche, or a Jaguar, Marc and his team are committed to ensuring that the cars of yesterday can drive confidently into tomorrow. For more information on Moment Motor Company, visit www.momentmotors.com or follow them on Instagram @MomentMotors.

Specs

1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL Pagoda Electrified by Moment Motor Company

Base Vehicle

Model: 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230 SL Pagoda
Original Engine: Inline-six internal combustion engine (replaced)
Original Transmission: Manual/Automatic (gear shift removed)

Electric Conversion

Motor
Type: Cascadia SS250
Power Output: 225 kW (300 hp)
Torque: 508 Nm (375 ft-lbs)
Drive Type: Direct drive

Inverter

Model: CM200

Battery System

Total Capacity: 62 kWh
Battery Modules: VDA 355
Battery Placement:
Two-thirds of the battery pack located in front ‘44W’ battery boxes
Remaining modules housed in a rear ‘42L’ battery box
Cooling System: Liquid-cooled with integrated chill plates

Drive System

Rear Differential Gear Ratio: 4.08
Driveshaft: Custom single-piece aluminum driveshaft

Performance

Estimated Range: About 175 miles in mixed driving
Top Speed: “Way faster than anyone would dare to drive a ‘66 Benz”

Interior and Controls

Gauge Cluster: Original gauges converted by Peterson (UK)
Tachometer replaced with kilowatt gauge
Fuel gauge repurposed to display battery state of charge
Additional readouts for battery pack and inverter temperatures
Gear Shift: Replaced by simple push-button controls for forward, reverse, and park
Parking Brake: Automated electric parking brake

Restoration

Exterior: Fully restored to original specs in collaboration with Unique Cars of Palm Beach
Color: Silver
Interior: Rich red leather, fully restored to factory specifications