230SL Dash - Could Be Factory Picture

[Pawel66]

This is from Maximilian Stern fb, posting lots of Daimler archive pictures - this one looks like factory picture of a 230SL dash, described as 1963. I thought I post as this may provide some details to details seekers. I noted the knob and something else under the left steering wheel arm. Also the hazard switch. Wonder what the knob and this something are.

[lreppond]

The thing that’s puzzling to me is the carpet on the transmission tunnel.  It certainly does not look like square weave.  Is it just my old eyes?

[Pawel66]

Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=3156369558010850&set=a.1377475112566979

[Norm]

Just for fun....

That picture is in Andrew Noakes' "Mercedes SL Series The complete Story".  It is on page 88.  There is another picture of the same interior on page 91 that is little better picture of the switches on the left of the steering column.  Still hard to determine what they, or it, is.  My guess would be some type of auxiliary light switch.  The second picture also clearly shows the car is finished in a flat color which, to me, indicates it may have been an early production car used for development purposes.

Norm

[Mike Hughes]

I was fascinated by the chromed "hairdryer" shaped fresh air vents and trim, and separate side window demister vents installed in painted dashboard end panels with fresh air vent levers sticking out of a plain slot.  Also the handle on the glovebox door trim seems to be heavier and larger than what we find on production models.

[Pawel66]

Ok, so it could pre-production development dash. That would also explain nice carpet that turned into square weave. "It was supposed to be great, but came out as usual."

[MikeSimon]

The thing under the left steering wheel arm is the foot actuator for the low/high beam switch on the floor. My 280SL sales brochure shows a picture of the dash and it shows the same knob.
The way it is photographed makes it look like it sits under the dash, but it is on the floor.

[Pawel66]

Yes, indeed!

Should have recognized it...

[Jordan]

Here is a pic of the dash taken from an early 230SL brochure.  May have been posted before.  Obviously a different car because this interior is dark and the carpet is correct.  It is interesting that in both cars the handbrake button is white.

[zak]

Good catch, Mike Simon.
Also, what is the black rectangle under the center of the dash ?
If almost looks like a mini AC unit.

jz 

[114015]

230SL Dash - Could Be Factory Picture

Clearly one of the pre-production cars, a prototype most likely.
Built before VIN 000001 so to speak, which was one of the two 1963 Geneva cars.

This (dark red) car was more often shown on very early brochures, presentations or factory pics. Sometimes even "colorized".
I.e. these were initially b&w pics or movies which were later on colorized.
That's why the look so dull ...

Achim

[Mike Hughes]

. . . what is the black rectangle under the center of the dash ?
If almost looks like a mini AC unit.

There are three cardboard panels under the dash to hide underdash components from view and perhaps provide some sound deadening.  The center one drops down a little lower to hide the heater/defroster unit and fan from view.  If the photo of the dash was shot from a low enough angle that center panel would be in view.  It may also be hanging a little lower than a production car if the final design of the heater/defroster components had not been resolved and those from another production model were adapted for this prototype.

More evidence that this is likely a prototype is the dashboard top pad, which has eyebrows curving over the round fresh air vents where the pad on production vehicles continues in a straight line.