1971 280 SLs - how many were there?

[Douglas]

I noticed this auction on ebay from a NY dealer:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&?ViewItem&item=4542152503

The seller makes a point of saying that his 1971 SL is "1 of 830" manufactured in 1971, so I felt compelled to e-mail him to correct him. His VIN indicates his car was manufactured in November 1970.

Here's my question -- how many 1971 units were made? I've seen conflicting information on this. Olson's SL Market Letter indicates 3,100+ units and the month-to-month production tables in our database indicate just a couple of hundred.

Who's right here? If March was indeed the final month of production, I've got to assume the number is in the low hundreds.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[gugel]

Douglas,

According to http://www.pagode.info/ , under Produktionszahlen, there were indeed 830 1971 280SL's built.  It's my impression that this site generally has reliable information, but I don't know the source of their production counts.

Chris Earnest

[Richard Madison]

There are two counts of "1971" Pagodas that can be discussed:

1. The number of "1971" Pagodas made in CALENDER YEAR 1971 (that is made between 01 Jan 1971 and the end of production in early 1971.)

This is the 830 figure mentioned below.

2. The number of "1971" Pagodas made from the time production of the "1971 Model Year" began in July 1970 until the model run ended in early 1971 (that is, the Total number of 1971 Model Pagodas produced in 1970 and 1971.)

Engelen's book indicates chassis number 19298 as the first "1971 Model" produced (on 02 July 1970.) If this is the first 1971 made, then the chassis numbers of that car and the last 1971 (chassis number 23,885) tell us that a total of 4,587 1971 Model Year Pagodas were made.

Just want to make sure we don't confuse MODEL YEAR with CALENDAR YEAR.

Richard M

[bpossel]

To add to this topic....

My car is registered as a model year 1971.

It's VIN number is 11304412019097.  My car exited the factory on 6/29/70.  Delivered to a dealer in Beverly Hills, CA.  Sold on (warranty start date) 10/15/70.

Bob

bpossel
Memphis, TN.
1971 280SL
1997 E320

[Douglas]

An error in Herr Engelen's book! So does anyone here have an earlier 1971 than Bob's 019097?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[Klaus]

Engelen's book is not relevant to the US Model Year, but only for the "Baujahr" for other countries. The US Model Year was determined by safety and emission control changes for US version vehicles and its cutoff was announced by MBNA in writing to the 50-States motor vehicle registration agencies. These cutoffs were discussed on this and the Yahoo site several times in the past. For the US Model Year 1971, the start was with 280SL...018506.


Klaus
1969 280 SL

[Douglas]

Klaus,

Thanks for your reply and insight. So where is this figure of "830" for 1971 SLs coming from? Does it make any sense to you?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[KevinC]

So this means 5,379 1971's, right? FWIW, The Lawrence Meredith "restorer's guide" says the last 280SL was produced on 2/23/71 #23885.

quote:Originally posted by Klaus

Engelen's book is not relevant to the US Model Year, but only for the "Baujahr" for other countries. The US Model Year was determined by safety and emission control changes for US version vehicles and its cutoff was announced by MBNA in writing to the 50-States motor vehicle registration agencies. These cutoffs were discussed on this and the Yahoo site several times in the past. For the US Model Year 1971, the start was with 280SL...018506.


Klaus
1969 280 SL

Boca Raton, FL
1967 230 SL Automatic
670 Light Ivory
113 Bronze/Brown MB Tex

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by 280SL71

There are two counts of "1971" Pagodas that can be discussed:

1. The number of "1971" Pagodas made in CALENDER YEAR 1971 (that is made between 01 Jan 1971 and the end of production in early 1971.)

This is the 830 figure mentioned below.

quote:Originally posted by Douglas

So where is this figure of "830" for 1971 SLs coming from?

As our friend Richard mentioned, that's the number from Jan. 1 to end of production.  Calendar year production for 1971.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Klaus]

KevinC wrote: " So this means 5,379 1971's, right?"
Well, Kevin, this would only be correct if all W113 as of 018506 would have been US versions - but only about half of them were. Other countries had other definitions and other cutoff numbers.

Klaus
1969 280 SL

[Douglas]

I still don't get the "830" number. According to the chart that Klaus posted, the last 12/70 unit was 23111, so I'm going to assume that calendar year 1971 started at 23112. If the last SL was 23885, that means there were 773 units produced in calendar year 1971.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[KevinC]

quote:Originally posted by Klaus

KevinC wrote: " So this means 5,379 1971's, right?"
Well, Kevin, this would only be correct if all W113 as of 018506 would have been US versions - but only about half of them were. Other countries had other definitions and other cutoff numbers.

Klaus
1969 280 SL

Boca Raton, FL
1967 230 SL Automatic
670 Light Ivory
113 Bronze/Brown MB Tex

[Klaus]

Douglas wrote:
"I still don't get the "830" number. According to the chart that Klaus posted, the last 12/70 unit was 23111, so I'm going to assume that calendar year 1971 started at 23112. If the last SL was 23885, that means there were 773 units produced in calendar year 1971."
Doug, the 773 are from Sindelfingen production records. Some statistics, from the sales organization, go by wholesale/shipping date, which of course is a little later than production. The 830 may be from such a source.

Klaus
1969 280 SL

[n/a]

My 1971 is #18737 and was manufactured in late June, 1970.  It is an original California car and has always been registered as a 1971 model.  I think many listings tout the "1 of 830" made to somehow raise the market value of their product.  This begs the related question - how much more valuable are '71s than the other years?  I submit that the ultimate value relies more on the condition and configuration of the SL rather than the production month.  What say you?

Joe

[Bob G ✝︎]

Another question of production. I read some were that production of the pagoda 280SL continued in Europe through 1972, how many cars were built or are these left over 1971 models for European consumpstion?
I did read in John Olsons latest SL market letter the price of a number one condition 1970-1971 280SL is $65.000.00 USA sales were 6,665 unites price new fpr European consunsumption 2,200 cars sold in Europe.USA list price $7,884.00  with out options like air and automatic , radio or leather.
It says to add for the following items which I dod no now are reflected in the $65,000.00 price
Plus 5% for leather
-4K if no soft top
plus $2K if 5 speed shift
Plus $2K if good AC
Bob Geco

[DavidAPease]

Bob,

I believe that in Europe the 107 chassis was originally available with a 2.8l engine; thus a 1972 280SL was/is not a 113.  (Question: Was this 2.8l engine essentially the same as ours, or something newer?)


-David Pease
'66 French 230SL

[Mike Hughes]

That was the newly designed in-line six, with twin overhead cams, also used in the 280/8 and even the s.w.b. S-class sedans.

quote:Originally posted by DavidAPease

Bob,

I believe that in Europe the 107 chassis was originally available with a 2.8l engine; thus a 1972 280SL was/is not a 113.  (Question: Was this 2.8l engine essentially the same as ours, or something newer?)


-David Pease
'66 French 230SL

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[Klaus]

This 6 cylinder (M110) R107 280 SL was, however, not introduced until July 1974 (and never produced in a US version).

Klaus
1969 280 SL