Fan/blower knob

[280sl1968]

Has anyone ever produced a photographic chronology of the evolution of the 113 blower knob (similar to the great overview Joe Alexander gave on window cranks).

My early 280 has a small blower knob (that looks similar to the small 230 style window crank knob) that is not completely circular and seems to be flattened on one edge. I can't say that I've noticed any kind of hole for a light. I would upload a photo but my digital camera is out of action.

Photos I have seen of other 280 dashboards seem to show them all with a larger knob with a graduated blue semi circular motif (I guess to indicate fan speed) and the words 'defrost' on it.

Mine is a Euro 280, so is my knob the right type, and was the larger knob with the defrost decal used only for US cars?


Thanks

David

[ja17]

Hello David,

The fan knob should match the other knobs on the car. Check the radio, cigg, lighter, possibly the emergency flasher etc..

[66andBlue]

David,
a very good source for photos with details of Pagodas is the Motoringinvestments.com web page.  Take a look at current cars in the inventory and also sold ones and I am sure you'll find what you want to see. 
For example here is a good shot showing you the blower knob on a 1969 280SL:
http://www.motoringinvestments.com/images/Y107/13.JPG
and here is a 1970 280SL: http://www.motoringinvestments.com/images/ZC207/id%20(6).JPG

As Ja17 wrote all the knobs should have the same style.

[280sl1968]

Thanks for the responses - they were useful.

The two photographs linked above show the type of knob I would expect to see (i.e. with the 'defrost' wording and the graduated blue semi-circle). I am limited on my '68 280SL because it didn't have hazard warning lights and the original radio (if there ever was one) has been swapped for a modern CD player by the P.O.

So, I'm concluding that the blower knob on my car is from an earlier model (it is similar in size to the window crank knob on the 230SL), but it doesn't seem to have the lamp in the knob.

I guess my only other question is would there be any difference between the Euro and US model? I know the US model required additional decals (e.g. on the heater controls and the headlight switch surround) that the Euro version doesn't have.


David

[114015]

Ah David ...

This is an easy one.

There are only two blower motor dashboard knobs for the 113 SLs.
One for the early 250ies (until serial no. 002979 and all 230ies), this is the small early window crank-like knob with the flattened edge and with illumination...

and the large one with the blue arrow on for all later 250ies (from serial no. 002980 on and all 280ies) without illumination.

There is definitely no difference between Euro and US model here with the exception that later US models (believe from later 250 SLs on) have the red "defrost" sign around the chrome base of the turn knob. Euro models never had that.

Or ... with other words,
the knob you found in your car is highly non-original for your Euro-280 SL.
Instead, that one is the more simple version of the W110 fintail early version without light.

So, you need to "throw yours away" and get a correct one ...

No offence meant!

Achim

[280sl1968]

Achim - no offence taken. Your comments are always helpful and greatly valued. The knob has always been loose and it never looked right compared to other 280s anyway. I will have no problems throwing it into my growing box of sundry/redundant components. Now to find a correct replacement.........


Thanks

David

[114015]

Sorry David...

Of course, Alfred is right.

The US version of the blower knob for the late 250 and all 280 SLs has the "defrost" inscription that the Euro version does not have.
Sorry, I got mixed up there...

So, one early style knob (illuminated) and one late style knob -either in US or non-US version.

Achim