Roadster 230sl 1966 Hardtop

[Rory]

I purchased my Pagoda as a Roadster without hardtop. I was wondering, if I wanted to add the hardtop option, would it be a matter of just purchasing a hardtop or would some structural adjustments have to be made to the car/

Cheers

[Ulf]

All hard tops are fitted on the same points as the soft top as far as I know - so any hard top should go straight on...

[Rory]

Thank you.

[Ulf]

You're welcome, but please note the little disclaimer "as far as I know". But I'm pretty sure... 

[dtuttle123]

Hi Rory -

Yes, any hardtop will fit - BUT, if you want to stay 'true' to the 230SL, look for a hardtop with 'fixed' handle latches in the front.   The 230SL's and early 250SL's had these handle that were attached, and the 280SL's had removable handles.

Both will work - the early ones will be more accurate for your 230SL.

[Jordan]

Nice catch Doug  .  I wouldn't have thought of that.

[Rory]

Thanks again. On the subject, how often does one use the hard top? I'm thinking of purchasing one to make the car complete with the hard top as an option.....but also thinking, will I ever use it? The answer is probably "no". To get to the point, does not having an hardtop option detract from the instrinsic worth of the car?

[dtuttle123]

Hi Rory -

The hardtop adds value to the car - a future buyer would probably select and pay for a 230SL with a hardtop than without - I know that would. 

Two other considerations:  If you live in a colder climate, and drive the car in the winter - the hardtop holds in the heat, and secondly, the hardtop changes the 'look' of the car - when I put it on in the fall, it's like I have a different car.

Depending on condition - hardtops go from about  US $1500 to $2500 - some less and some more.  One other point when looking for a hardtop - make sure the headliner is in decent shape.  Replacing the headliner is difficult and expensive!!  I have a 'rolling stand' (about $100) to store the hardtop vertically, so it doesn't take up much space in my garage.

[Ulf]

I'm with Doug on that one - I probably spend 80% of the time driving top down, but the hard top really transforms the car into a snug, quiet and beautiful coupe in the colder months. With a hard top hoist in your garage, you can even switch back and forth on a daily basis.