Missing Rear License Plate Lights

[RobSirg]

Guys,

I just noticed that neither of my 280SL's have the rear license plate light in place. Doesn't seem to be a lot of space there as I can see the underside of a rubber seal filling the space(see photo). Can it still fit?

Is it purely coincidental that both cars are missing the lights or is there some other reason? (until now I thought they were only specific to US cars, like the side markers, but I saw and Aust. car yesterday with them fitted).

Thankfully I see the complete kits are available.

Regards

Rob

[mmizesko]

Rob, those are the lights.  The rubber is a blind that directs the light down toward the plate only, and not in the eyes of the following car.  You can see the plastic lens behind the rubber guard.

Get into the trunk  open the square hatches on the wall next to the lock, undo the small bolts from the outside, pull the harness back through the holes into the trunk, open the casing, and replace the big double ended (not sure what you call them?) bulbs.  Should be fine.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

[RobSirg]

Thanks Mike,

Your answer pleases me greatly ......and slightly embarrasses me

I will give them a clean up - should be a fun mini project.

Now that I think about it - the example I saw that got me wondering was missing the rubber blind.

Cheers

Rob

[mmizesko]

Rob,

No worries.  I've had mine out a couple of times.  There are places in my car I've never been.  All relative.  Noticed that your rubber has paint on it, so the painter didn't take them out on the last paint job.  They'll clean up easy with some solvent.

But being down under, just make sure the rubber doesn't go the opposite way from up here!

Best of luck, and keep using the site, I've seen lots of your posts.  Saved me lots of time and heartache.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH USA

[RobSirg]

Thanks Mike,

I saw the paint also - not sure if it was the Respray I commissioned or the many beforehand. I'm somewhat thankful they left the rubbers in place - at least that way they didn't lose or break them.

Cheers

Rob

[450sl]

Solvent can destroy them :  so be careful