Mercedes SL roadsters produced from 1963-1971 as 230SL (1963-67), 250SL (1967-68), and 280SL (1967-71) are often referred to as “Pagodas” on account of their hardtop roofline curving up at the outer side edges for better entry. These cars are all technically grouped together as the w113 series of Mercedes.
They were preceded by both the 300 SL (w198) and the 190 SL (w121) and followed by the 300SL and 300 SLC (r107) produced from 1971-89.
“SL” stands for “Sport Light” in English or “Sport-Leicht” in German.