NOS steering wheel

[lreppond]

Finally got around to installing this ivory steering.  I got it at an auction, still in its sealed box.  Cost me $150!  I think the shipping was almost as expensive.  This ivory really lightens up the interior.   

[Duncan200]

Great buy, what a steal!

People want ridiculous sorts of money online.

Mine needs to be refurbished, but I have been keeping an eye out for a reasonably priced one, I’m yet to have any luck.

Doug

[mclewis]

Len, great looking stearing wheel and shifter knob. And a great looking interior over all.

Marc

[lreppond]

Len, great looking stearing wheel and shifter knob. And a great looking interior over all.

Marc

Thank you!  Love the color combo of your car.  I’ve also seen the same color combo on a 3.5 cabriolet and it was absolutely stunning. 

[AndrewB]

Beautiful looking interior and fabulous deal !

[neelyrc]

Looks great Len. Congrats on the find!

[rwmastel]

Len, great looking stearing wheel and shifter knob.

And hand brake release button!  Nice job.

[lreppond]

And hand brake release button!  Nice job.

BINGO!  I specifically didn’t mention it and I was waiting to see if anyone would notice. Very observant Rodd. 

[rwmastel]

Thanks!     Did MB make whitbackseat? ends for the seat backreat?

[ScouseJames]

New steering wheel looks great but what is that just in front of the ashtray?

[mdsalemi]

New steering wheel looks great but what is that just in front of the ashtray?

I think that’s the switch for the hardtop rear window defogger?

[ScouseJames]

I think that’s the switch for the hardtop rear window defogger?

That's interesting.

My hardtop is in a bag on a stand in the garage and I don't know when it will go back on the car. 

On the odd occasion that I drive it in winter, if it's sunny the soft top will be down and anyway I'll be wearing sufficient layers to keep warm   

[Pawel66]

I have the DRL hooked to that switch. And for DRL I use the front standard built in fog lights to avoid to have the headlights (as well as dashboard lights) switched on during the day to comply with regulations.

[lreppond]

New steering wheel looks great but what is that just in front of the ashtray?

Michael is correct.  It’s a push pull switch that lights up when the rear window defogger is in use.  I believe this configuration was only made for US delivered cars and only for the 1971 model year.  Must have been DOT mandated. 

[Pawel66]

Ireppond, I am not sure if "US only, late cars" for rear window defroster is true. Yet I hear it form time to time.

What I heard/read was that for some late cars Mercedes fitted options as standard just to be able to make "obsolete" cars more attractive and rear window defroster was one of those options - maybe that is where "US only, late cars only" originated from. But I do not think it is true.

I am not sure when rear defroster got on the options list, but I have it as factory option in my March 1970 European car. I think it was simply an option that you could order (246-249). Not sure as of when though.

[lreppond]

Ireppond, I am not sure if "US only, late cars" for rear window defroster is true. Yet I hear it form time to time.

What I heard/read was that for some late cars Mercedes fitted options as standard just to be able to make "obsolete" cars more attractive and rear window defroster was one of those options - maybe that is where "US only, late cars only" originated from. But I do not think it is true.

I am not sure when rear defroster got on the options list, but I have it as factory option in my March 1970 European car. I think it was simply an option that you could order (246-249). Not sure as of when though.

I think you’re 100% correct. However, I do know based on the MSRP sheet for my car that for all US delivered cars for model year 1971 these were standard equipment…same as seat belts, that is, no longer an option but mandated.  In other countries these were probably still options.

[Pawel66]

I think so, as you state - standard for the US at the end of the run, most likely an option elsewhere.

[mdsalemi]

My how times have changed. I remember adverts for older cars from the 1970s, usually British, and one of the acronyms in the for sale listings was R&H meaning "radio and heater". Yes, these were not standard.

Today, I cannot think of a car without climate control, rear window defogger, some kind of radio, and more air bags than one even knows about.

There are still a few um, "thrifty" people, namely in Alaska and Vermont (I know this from friends in the industry) that would still love roll up windows and no a/c...and are incensed when they find out that like it or not, they cannot get a car like that!

And lately I've been taking very long trips to see my father, who turns 102 on Friday. This involves 14 hour drives on our interstates. It's astounding to me how many drive on the highways at 70+ MPH with all their windows open. I'd go deaf. I guess their a/c doesn't work or they think they are saving gas.

[Pawel66]

My kids, when they were 5-6 yo told me, having spent holidays with their grandparents, that my car is junk and granddad's car is cool because it has cranks for windows in the back...

[MikeSimon]

My car, 1971 model, built November 1970, German spec, delivered in Germany has heated rear window. Option 249 shown on the data card in the "seldom ordered" field.