Paint Color for a re-paint for collectibility

[DickLewis]

OK now that I am going to do original paint I have a question about the engine compartment.  How much of the engine was actually painted at the factory?  Did they paint the inner fender wells?  I have seen pictures of the interior fenders and the exterior wheel wells painted as well. 

What did the factory paint to match the exterior color in the engine compartment?  Thanks

[Bonnyboy]

Have a look at the motoring investments page - there are some cars there that are mostly original.   http://www.motoringinvestments.com/MainPage.htm

There is a 69 280sl that they refer to as the Holy Grail.  Pictures are worth 1000 words.

[49er]

Hello Dick and welcome to our forum. The engine compartment , underside of the hood and wheel wheels are painted the same color as the body. The trunk is a very dark grey, almost black. Good luck on your project.

John

[Flyair]

Dick,
you will find the right color numbers for parts of the undercarriage as well as trunk/boot by doing some relatively easy search on this forum. It was discussed at length, but it is very instructive. It is also very reassuring that, budget permitting, you can restore the car up in each details.

It takes a lot of meticulous research and work, but the result is top class!

[DickLewis]

Wow.  Thanks I was afraid of that. 

[Flyair]

Dick,
You are only at the start point of being afraid. When you discover the price of spares and scarcity of good mechanics you will push this feeling from "being afraid" to "being scared".

At one point I considered installing the "panic button" somewhere handy at the central console of my Pagoda, but decided against, so that I dont devastate the originality of the car.

welcome to the Club...

[DickLewis]

Just as an aside I actually registered for the parts at the Mercedes Benz Classic center and found the Ivory Steering wheel.  I went to my local dealer, with whom I have a tremendous relationship, and I purchased the OEM Ivory steering wheel, Ivory Pad and the Horn rim, all ORIGINAL for a very reasonable price.  Since I am doing a total restoration and since that is such a visible and memorable piece, I could not resisit.

Also the local dealer parts guys were so excited to see someone working on a 250 SL that they have gone overboard and are anxious to help in whatever way possible.

This is so much fun that I don't really care about cost anymore.  I have never enjoyed anything like this and am so happy to have all of you to help me in this endeavor.

Thanks.