Richard and Jonny B,
That is most definitely an incorrect position for the side LIGHTS. Whether or not it is correct for anything, I don't know: there are a variety of peculiar worldwide markets that mandate all kinds of things, so for all we know it could have been the law in Czechoslovakia in 1969....
In mid 1969 280SL production per US DOT mandate, the side reflectors (amber in front, red in rear)were changed to side markers (lights). In concert with this there were changes to the headlight assemblies and tail lamp assemblies as well; they now provided a place to plug in these new side lights. This point of demarcation in production was from chassis 11948, probably in May or June of 1969. Those of you who have head US headlight dilemmas know that there were three different headlight assemblies that are not interchangable (yeah they fit but don't look right unless in pairs!); the ones noted above were the last of the headlight assemblies. Yes you can still buy them new, and today they come from a Bosch factory in the Czech Republic!
I have an early 1969 (produced in January; chassis 7262) and my car had reflectors, since upgraded to markers (as a safety issue) they went into the same general location as the reflectors. It does have, as original, headrests.
If you go to the Yahoo site, there are a variety of photos of my car in various stages of restoration; here you can see the position of the reflectors as well as the new lamps.
Interestingly, I also owned at one time, a 1978 VW Rabbit (last of the German ones prior to them making them in Pennsylvania) and a 1979 BMW 320i (prior to it being a yuppie mobile, might I add!) both these cars had the side lamps--amber in front, red in rear, as well as the interior light identical to those on the 113's. Not surprisingly, they are made by Bosch. Back in the 80's I discovered this, as well as discovering that some of these parts were less costly at the VW dealer then at the BMW dealer--what a surprise!
Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored
