Author Topic: Top handle Identification?  (Read 2893 times)

Rick

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Top handle Identification?
« on: November 09, 2017, 23:55:46 »
I have two sets of different style top handles in my 1971 280SL.  I am trying to identify just what these are for, particularly the smaller handles.   The large handles fit my top properly but the smaller handles do not fit correctly.   The long ones are 6.5" long and the smaller ones are 4 3/4" long.   Where they plug into the top are different also.  The small ones have an angle cut where it plugs in to the top latch and these cuts are the same on both sides of both handles.   The larger ones have a straight cut and are different on each side of the handle.

neelyrc

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Re: Top handle Identification?
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2017, 01:34:27 »
Rick,  the late 280sl had different latches for the top and came with levers with a long tang. The short levers in your picture appear to be the earlier short tang levers.  The long handle curved levers in your picture do not appear to me to be the correct long tang levers even though you say they work. They may be for another model possibly a 107.

There was extensive discussion on this subject about a year ago. Try a search on “top levers” to review threads on the subject.
Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
2007 BMW 328xi (E90)
Italy
2004 Toyota HiLux D4D Pickup
2008 BMW 330xd Futura Coupe' (E92)

mbzse

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Re: Top handle Identification?
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2017, 02:06:46 »
Quote from: Rick
.../.... two sets of different style top handles in my 1971 280SL.  I am trying to identify just what these are for, particularly the smaller handles.../...
You will find some info for instance here:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=23759.msg180955#msg180955
/Hans S