WIPAC Fog Lights

[71Beige280SL]

A casualty of Spring...We have had a few really nice days over the past week. I have had the Pagoda out and really enjoyed my time behind the wheel. Unfortunately, I cracked a fog light. I don't know if it was a stone or just a 40 year old light saying..."I give up"!

In doing research on my car, it was bought in Europe from a dealer or the factory delivery program to a United States spec and shipped back. The car has WIPAC fog lights which I believe, was a dealer/factory installed option (please correct me). The lights are certainly "period correct" and have a 40 year old patina.

I need to replace the light(s). The good news for me is WIPAC is a UK company that is alive and well. They also have a classic line that comes incredibly close to my lights. Before you ask, they do not offer lens replacements. Given the rust on the reflection plate, probably best to buy new.

My question...Does anyone have experience with WIPAC lights? Because they are original to the car, I am inclined to replace them versus buying Hella or other. It doesn't appear that the Classic Center offers fog lights from MB. Please correct me here as well.

[69280sl]

How do the lamps attach? I'm not sure I'm seeing a hole drilled thru the bumper.
Thanks, Gus

[71Beige280SL]

Through a hole in the top of the bumper.

[Richard Madison]

According to our Tech Manual, which is a Wiki and might not be correct, original Fog Lights were Hella or Bosch.

None of the literature or lists of Option Codes I've looked at over the years have mentioned the brand name of the Fog Lights.

Perhaps an original owner here or a "still in the family" Pagoda owner can give us some information about original front Fog Lights and  brand names.

Fog Lights were probably installed not only by the factory and MB dealers but a nearly new car could have had any local accessory shop install Fog Lights. This might have resulted in lights of several makers being installed. In the parlance of vintage car collectors, a light installed by an accessory shop even if it was done on the first day on the road would not be "original" equipment.

Not that it's proof of anything, but my Euro version 1969 Pagoda has Hellas on the front, and I don't recall ever seeing a Pagoda with vintage fogs that were not Hella lights.

As to WIPAC lights, I wonder if it is likely that Mercedes would have installed fog lights of a UK manufacturer when German brands were available and were market leaders.

Forgive the pun but can someone shed some light on this?

Richard M, NYC

[71Beige280SL]

Thanks Richard. Excellent comments.

[BaronYoungman]

OK to continue with this I acquired a VERY ORIGINAL 1967 230sl (USA delivery) for the wife because she does not like riding shotgun to w113 events. The car has fog lights mounted to the bumper... They look really original but has a switch under the dash for them, I smell dealer installed.  The car sat for almost 9 years in a heated garage so I am in the final stages of getting her street ready and the old "while I am at it, might as well" I thought I would put a new switch in or wire it differently.  How do other USA 230sl's have the fog light switch mounted?
Thanks, Bob

[66andBlue]

There should be no need for an extra fog light switch, it is built into the headlight switch:
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Lightswitch#Headlight
And if the head lamps do have the integral fog lights use those and get rid of the bumper lights
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Foglights
Unless of course you drive a lot in fog, then use all four. 

[71Beige280SL]

Alfred is spot on. Turn the switch to the right to turn on the headlights and then pull the switch out to turn on the fog lights.

[zoegrlh]

If you have a Euro spec, and data card shows Fog Lamps installed, Alfred is correct, Whitch is in the headlight switch.  Also if you have the rear fog lamp factory installed, you will have the switch (green) in the center box in back of the ashtray.
Bob