Heater Levers

[Pinder]

I have just red and seen many heater levers that are plastic. But I have a 1969 280SL where they are all metal? is this original or have been swapped out. they work very well but it is a bit of a mystery I read the technical manuals on but I dont see this discussed. Any thoughts on this.?

[lreppond]

All model 230, 250 & 280 SL’s came as all plastic or plastic with a rubber-like black lever.  Your ‘69 would have been equipped like the latter example.

I have seen after market solid metal (in either in black or chromed) lever replacements. This would only work on the latter example as well, since the earlier unit was a solid piece.

I’ve never seen these installed. Please post a picture of how they look.

[Pinder]

Please see uploaded picture. I assumed these were for a particular year. They work really well and solid construction of some sort of alloy.  I wish I had them on my 1970 280SL

[Pinder]

These are not chrome more of a matte finish.

[Jonny B]

Those look like the plastic "dura-lever" items. These were intended to be installed without having to take the whole dash apart. These were never metal from the factory.

Here is a short thread about the dura-lever units.
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=94.0

[Pinder]

They are definitely not plastic. So not sure whats going on here. Maybe there are all metal versions ?

[Jonny B]

The name "dura-lever" is what is familiar to the group. The design is the same. Since they are flat, it would most likely be reasonably straight forward to make up a metal set. Or maybe some other business had the same idea?

[Pinder]

Yes that maybe the case. Well they work well. I wouldnt be surprised if you can print them with a 3D printer these days.

[lreppond]

The ones I’ve seen were slightly different than yours but the same concept.  The original rubberized lever was removed and the metal one was attached with a screw and nut to the colored plastic control.  Bottom line: yours look terrific and if they’re sturdy and function properly I’d never change them unless you want a 100% factory correct restoration. My dad replaced the levers at least twice and I just replaced them again.  They are IMHO one of the most vulnerable parts of later US equipped w113’s.  I don’t think they were used on models destined for other markets.  It was a safety consideration by US DOT and I feel the solution was a definite afterthought by the German design team. 

[Pinder]

Yes I like these and they work great. i have a 1970  that has the plastic ones and I always thought the ones on the 69 looked better thinking it was specific to the later years. Well the car is likely already sold by 5:34pm Eastern time tomorrow as it is currently on sale on BAT. Going to miss her but its too much to keep 2 of them running considering the cost of parts and garage space is limited.

[lreppond]

 Good luck with the sale.  She’s a looker with a very popular color combo. 

[Pinder]

Shes sold. On here way to Vancouver next week. She is a stunner. with her Little Royal Pine Tree.