Polished trim strip under rear license plate

[menesesjesse]

I have been looking at many pictures and noticed many people do not have the polished trim strip under rear license plate.  When did the deletion of this part occur?  I have seen 230s, 250s and 280s without it.  My 250 california coupe # 1190 has it and my 230SL #12261 has it but this strip has me puzzled because I see what seems like original cars without them.  Was this an option? The strip is held by 2 wide hooks.  Thanks for great forum.
Jesse

[IXLR8]

Hi Jesse--

I asked about this strip the last time I was at K&K. Their catalogs show this to be a 230SL part only.

Joe

[66andBlue]

It is not a 230Sl vs 280SL difference but a US version peculiarity.
You'll find this chrome trim piece on European cars but not on US imports because of the license plate dimensions.  The trim is held in place by hooks that that go into slots that are riveted as shown in the first entry by Eryck in this topic: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=3586

[menesesjesse]

Thanks for the answer I will now get some good rest tonight.

[Douglas]

It's actually a really beautiful detail, in my opinion. If you stand directly behind a European SL, you'll notice that this horizontal piece of chrome makes the line from one rear bumper to the next a continuous uninterrupted flourish of chrome. Nice design!

[Jim Donati]

I do not a U.S. version 280SL and I do not have this feature/trim.  But you have peaked my interest on the look of such an item. Does anyone have a picture of what you are discussing, I for one would like to see it.

Jim

[J. Huber]

Here is a shot of it -- not too close up but you can see the idea I think...

[66andBlue]

Here is one that gugel posted some time back:
http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/gugel/200751418322_RearPlate.jpg

[J. Huber]

Here's one more... easier on the eyes!

[Jim Donati]

I see, I get the idea, but it is interesting how different the chrome pieces appear to be in the pictures of the two cars shared by James Huber and Alfred (66 Blue).  

It almost looks like an after market accessory trim.

Jim

[66andBlue]

Oh no! That was always in the original design by Paul Bracq.
It only looks like an after market accessory when you put a license plate over it instead of above it.

[J. Huber]

Also, Gugel's car and chrome is spectacularly bright and well-preserved. My strip seems to have turned to a matte not-so-bright aluminum. Cannot say it did not start as bright chrome.

[Naj ✝︎]

Here's a fresh one 

[J. Huber]

Wow. Very nice Naj! Now that makes me want A. a new trim strip, B. a new chromed gas cap, and C. a better paying job  

And related: you will notice my black rubber grommets on either side of the plate. Would these be original (can't see the if they are on other euros). Know if they if are available? Thx

[Naj ✝︎]

And related: you will notice my black rubber grommets on either side of the plate. Would these be original (can't see the if they are on other euros). Know if they if are available? Thx

Maybe something a local supplying dealer fitted when first installing new plates?

It is a Euro, no?

naj

[114015]

Now that makes me want A. a new trim strip, B. a new chromed gas cap, and C. a better paying job   

And related: you will notice my black rubber grommets on either side of the plate. Would these be original (can't see the if they are on other euros). Know if they if are available? Thx

Hello James,
It's not necessary (so soon) to buy a new trim strip under your rear license plate. Just polish it thoroughly with chrome polish ... it will come up very nicely. However, the dings, scratches and dents won't disappear.

As to the black rubber grommets on either side of the plate ...
Surely, any previous owner plugged in these aftermarket grommets into the Euro number plate holes when he got his (now: your) car registered in the US for the first time. Euro plates (Germany, Netherlands, Austria and other) are much wider and therefore mostly have their number plate mounting holes further apart ... see Gugel's pictures.

One last thing ... these tail lights...? How did you do that? Is it just Photoshop editing? Usually those are the all red type on 230ies, isn't it?

One more last thing... if you are once planning a respray ... the location of your "Automatic" trunk sign is not supposed to be correct. On Euro cars it's supposed to be where your 230 badge is and the 230 sign goes above the Automatic sign... see wildatheart's pic.
Nothing to be corrected before respray ...

No offence meant... sorry, couldn't resist.

All the best
Achim

[bravotango]

To confuse the matter futher, on my 'built-for-Italy' 230SL (assembled 11.65) the build card has the code that states deletion (or non-installation) of this particular chrome part. Never missed it actually.....

[Stefano Ruggeri]

To confuse the matter futher, on my 'built-for-Italy' 230SL (assembled 11.65) the build card has the code that states deletion (or non-installation) of this particular chrome part. Never missed it actually.....

Italian market cars deleted the trim piece because at the time the Italian rear number plate was square and would have covered it.

[J. Huber]

Hello James,
It's not necessary (so soon) to buy a new trim strip under your rear license plate. Just polish it thoroughly with chrome polish ...

One last thing ... these tail lights...? How did you do that? Is it just Photoshop editing? Usually those are the all red type on 230ies, isn't it?

One more last thing... if you are once planning a respray ... the location of your "Automatic" trunk sign is not supposed to be correct. On Euro cars it's supposed to be where your 230 badge is and the 230 sign goes above the Automatic sign... see wildatheart's pic.
Nothing to be corrected before respray ...

No offence meant... sorry, couldn't resist.

All the best
Achim

No Offense taken Achim... and sorry it took me so long to respond -- just saw your post when the Italians came onto the scene! 

Ok. Yes I had all-red tail lights at one time. One of my lenses got broken back in mid-90s. At the time, the only thing going new was the rather pricey amber/red assembly -- so I hit the hip. Still have the old assemblies and may try the "glued lens" procedure someday.

As for the badges: I have seen many 230SLs with the stacked variety -- but left mine as is after the last respray. Mainly because the holes were already there and I was the re-assembler! Strangely there are no signs of holes on the left where they should be -- and I was pretty sure I was first to repaint my car?? Who knows. Thanks for the input.

[hauser]

Personally I think it looks best if you have a rectangular euro plate. IMHO I don't care much for it with a US plate.

[bravotango]

Italian market cars deleted the trim piece because at the time the Italian rear number plate was square and would have covered it.

the previous owner of my car who bought it when it arrived from Rome lost the rear plate  At least I still have the front one.....

[gorgoo]

Hello,

By the way, could someone explain how to remove this strip, without damaging it?
thanks,
Didier.

[66andBlue]

The strip has square plates on the back with a catch that hooks into retaining clips that are riveted to the chassis.
This photo shows the parts:
http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/eryck/200561510158_attachment.jpg
More is described here: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=3586

[J. Huber]

Alfred's picture shows the clips. The valence lifts up and off of them. Just carefully worked upward and they pop off.

[gorgoo]

Yes!
Gently push it upwards and it comes apart. I didn't understand from the previous posts how it was installed on the car, Here's a picture that may help (just in case some other pagoda owner would be as stupid as I am! )

Thank you Alfred and James.
Didier.