Author Topic: Model year difference?  (Read 23104 times)

n/a

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Model year difference?
« on: September 03, 2004, 08:49:14 »
Anyone out there in MB land know what the physical difference is between a 63 & 64 230 SL is?

A Dalton

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2004, 09:05:32 »

Ben

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #2 on: September 03, 2004, 09:23:13 »
quote:
Anyone out there in MB land know what the physical difference is between a 63 & 64 230 SL is


........none unless it is a very late '64 with the verticle, instead of horizontal, spare wheel well !



Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

n/a

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2004, 09:28:32 »
Thanks, nice site but not to much info.

n/a

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2004, 12:45:14 »
Not sure I understand the difference between horizontal & verticle wheel well. Is the later in the center or still on the side of the trunk? Pictures anyone?

hauser

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #5 on: September 03, 2004, 14:40:32 »
Swede it is very simple :D .  If you open the trunk of the 230sl you will see two different spare tire locations.  There is one that is the same as the 250 & 280sl.  To the right of trunk in a horizontal position.  The other location the spare is to the right of the trunk in an upright position (vertical).  I do not have any pictures but will post if I could find.  My choice would be a 66 - 67 model 8) .

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

Naj ✝︎

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #6 on: September 03, 2004, 17:40:13 »
Vertical spare wheel:
Check trunk picture on this car.

http://www.mirbach.de/main.asp?main=auto_detail&ID=1197&nav=0&subnav=1

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL
« Last Edit: September 03, 2004, 17:41:21 by naj »
68 280SL

Albert-230SL

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2004, 10:52:39 »
quote:
Originally posted by Idle Swede

Anyone out there in MB land know what the physical difference is between a 63 & 64 230 SL is?

Besides the change from vertical (left side) to horizontal (right side) of the spare tire, from 230 SL chassis #007205 (October/November 1964); there was another physical change: Wheel width was increased from 5.5 to 6.0 inches, from 230 SL #005498 (June/July 1964)...

Early '63 W113 also had a round horn ring in the steering wheel, which later was changed by a flat ring in order to better read the speedometer, but I don't know when it was changed.

Regards,

Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

Bob G ✝︎

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2004, 13:26:24 »
These are good subjects and I hope this information and pictures will make it to our technical manual.

Bob Geco

A Dalton

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2004, 15:11:37 »
<<Early '63 W113 also had a round horn ring in the steering wheel, which later was changed by a flat ring in order to better read the speedometer, but I don't know when it was changed.
>>

 Aug/'65

Ben

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #10 on: September 08, 2004, 04:07:28 »
quote:
Early '63 W113 also had a round horn ring in the steering wheel, which later was changed by a flat ring in order to better read the speedometer, but I don't know when it was changed.
>>

Aug/'65


My Feb'64 car has the flat piece and so has my friends '64 !!

Also the verticle spare is on the LEFT side of the trunk !

Does anyone know where Meredith gets the info in "Original SL" from.............some of it is quite wrong, in fact I recall Cees saying this back a few years ago !!

Anyone like to compile a list of mistakes !! :mrgreen:

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

J. Huber

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #11 on: September 08, 2004, 11:59:32 »
Hello. The vertical spare is definitely on the left. My horn ring seems flat as well.

Another early feature was the straight firewall lip versus the later one that had a curve for heater access plug.  

Mine also has something I have yet to see on anyone elses: a chrome strip that runs behind the topcase fabric. Anyone else have it? Sorry no picture at the moment.

James
63 230SL
James
63 230SL

Douglas

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #12 on: September 08, 2004, 12:22:52 »
James, that chrome strip is only on the earliest SLs. Run a search on this site and you'll see some pix of others. A gorgeous detail reminiscent of a 111 cabriolet that was lost as they cheapened our cars.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

Ben

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #13 on: September 09, 2004, 03:10:26 »
Yes James my car has the straight firewall lip with no grommet !

quote:
Mine also has something I have yet to see on anyone elses: a chrome strip that runs behind the topcase fabric. Anyone else have it? Sorry no picture at the moment.



.......can you explain this a bit more. Are you talking about the chrome trim on the soft top, that is pressed into the rear bow above the windscreen ?  If so mine HAD that but when I replaced the fabric I didn't re-fit it and I think I've lost it. It IS a lovely feature no doubt about it !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

Ricardo

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #14 on: September 09, 2004, 06:04:58 »
My car had the chrome strip on the soft-top, but the PO removed it thinking it wasn't original and lost it. I find that my top latches better if this rear bow remains loose until after the top is latched and then the bow is pushed rear-ward to tighten the whole top. I don't think I could do this if the chrome strip were in place and I think the front latches would be harder to align.
James does your rear bow slump forward until you push it back or does the chrome strip mean it's always tight? I'd like to get a replacement, as it looks great, but wondered if it would mean a little more trouble latching the top.
Ricardo

hauser

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #15 on: September 09, 2004, 09:51:40 »
The chrome strip really looks great on these cars.  It's too bad the bean counters got rid of this feature.

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

Ben

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #16 on: September 09, 2004, 09:54:29 »
quote:
I find that my top latches better if this rear bow remains loose until after the top is latched and then the bow is pushed rear-ward to tighten the whole top. I don't think I could do this if the chrome strip were in place and I think the front latches would be harder to align.



That rear bow shouldn't move at all, with or without the chrome pressed in. It should have the cloth glued around it like the others !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

Douglas

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #17 on: September 09, 2004, 09:55:58 »
Ricardo, I believe the chrome bow is still available from MB.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

J. Huber

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #18 on: September 09, 2004, 14:52:55 »
Ben & crowd,

Actually no that's not what I was referng to. Although I do have that strip as well. In my case, the chrome strip is screwed into the cloth covered bow. I don't think it moves.

Now, the chrome piece I was refering to is visible with top down. It runs just behind the leather or MB Tex pad on top of topcase.



James
63 230SL
James
63 230SL

Naj ✝︎

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #19 on: September 09, 2004, 16:13:43 »
I have that chrome trim on my 230. I know because it was removed for repainting and not reinstalled yet[:(!]. There is also a chrome 'rosette' in between thru which the soft top pin goes to the latch.
Not sure if the 280 has it. Will check at weekend.
naj

65 230SL
68 280SL
68 280SL

Ben

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #20 on: September 10, 2004, 03:48:44 »
quote:
Although I do have that strip as well. In my case, the chrome strip is screwed into the cloth covered bow


The exterior chrome strip which is above the rear plastic screen is literally "nailed" through into the wooden bow. I managed to retrieve mine from the garage last night and had a good look at it. I was under the impression that I damaged it taking it off so I never bothered looking for it again when I replaced the canvas.

I reckon I'll put it back on now, but does anyone have any advice here. Should I just straighten out the nails and seek the original holes or move them slightly ?  Also should I use anything between the chrome and canvas.....will it leak ?

 
quote:
Now, the chrome piece I was refering to is visible with top down. It runs just behind the leather or MB Tex pad on top of topcase


.......This is at the rearmost part of the soft top lid ??  I have never seen a 113 without this part, it comes all the way artound to the edges where it meets the chrome end pieces right ?

Does anyone else's '64 have the painted end pieces on the dash where the round chrome vents are? Most I see are chrome but I never found a reference for when they changed !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor
« Last Edit: September 10, 2004, 03:50:51 by Ben »

Naj ✝︎

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #21 on: September 10, 2004, 12:15:25 »
James,
Are we on the same hymn sheet here?
naj

65 230SL
68 280SL
68 280SL

J. Huber

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #22 on: September 10, 2004, 12:34:13 »
Well Naj, I am not really sure. I did manage a picture of the "top case" chrome strip ... not to be confused with any chrome on the soft-top itself... Here goes:

Download Attachment: chrome.jpg
55.26 KB

PS we are looking at the chrome immediately behind upholstered pad...
James
63 230SL
« Last Edit: September 10, 2004, 12:36:09 by J. Huber »
James
63 230SL

J. Huber

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #23 on: September 10, 2004, 12:46:10 »
And Ben, not to forget your question: my car has the painted vents ... I believe later cars went to all chrome.

This photo also reveals my dashwood which I would characterize as somewhere between light and dark...



Download Attachment: dashwood.jpg
54.85 KB

James
63 230SL
James
63 230SL

hands_aus

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Re: Model year difference?
« Reply #24 on: September 11, 2004, 00:01:14 »
Hey James,

My early 250 does NOT have that chrome trim piece on the soft top cover.

Bob (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto
Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL #114, auto, ps , 717,717
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