Question of style...

[n/a]

After some research, I was able to contact the second owner of my car (owner from 1973 to 1995...). I just received a letter from him this morning with some pictures of the car taken in 1980!!
It is a Us version and, as such, had at that time a very popular feature which is the white circling on the wheels (picture attached is a similar car WITH those circling).
As I am hesitating, I am just wondering if I should put this "cosmetic" feature back or not....
there is no right or wrong answer here, just point of views...
Any pros or contras?


Download Attachment: 00-280SL grise profil.jpg
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Fabrice
Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City

[n/a]

those are called (in the us at least) white wall tires, and many of our cars had them from the factory.  a datacard entry of 64/1 will indicate that the car had whitewalls from the factory.

some folks have added wide white walls and prefer the look....others have used a pirelli tire that has a narrow wite wall.

well, that's all up to you.

my next set of tires will feature white walls.

Download Attachment: datacard.jpg
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'66 230 sl 113042-10-016238
67 saab sonett II #43 of 258
99 saab 9-5
00 saab 9-3 viggen conv

[Douglas]

Fabrice,

Is my monitor acting up or is that a red interior I see in your car?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
#018260

[n/a]

nah,

it's not his car...

his words

"
(picture attached is a similar car WITH those circling).
"

-Lewis

'66 230 sl 113042-10-016238
67 saab sonett II #43 of 258
99 saab 9-5
00 saab 9-3 viggen conv

[n/a]

Doug, when it comes to computers and related, I have 2 left hands....this is not a picture of my car (I don't have a scanner to scan the pics I received...) it is just a similar car.
It is not your eyes, it is a indeed a pic of a red interior car....
The frustrating part for me, is that on those 1980's pictures, there is NO FR>;'EA!?"K!?!EN pinstripe!!!!!

But I did receive a very nice letter from the previous owner who is dying to come to the Greenwich Concours next year....I hope I can make it there!!!! (with you and many others???!!??)

Fabrice
Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City

[Douglas]

Fabrice,

You clearly indicated that it was a similar car and not yours, so it was my mistake.

Now to the whitewall tires -- I personally prefer the dark tires and not the whitewalls on a silver car simply because I prefer whitewalls on cars with a contrasting color such as black or blue.

Strictly speaking though, my car was ordered with whitewalls. It's indicated on the data card & one of the originals is still fitted to the spare in my car.

With that said, I should also add that I am looking forward to seeing Lewis Eig's car with whitewalls fitted so that I can properly visualize what they look like on a silver car.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
#018260

[Albert-230SL]

Hi Fabrice,

as you can read in this topic, this "white circling" on the wheels was a factory option (See attached vintage pictures, with different sizes of white walls). The tyre and its integrated "white circling" was only one piece. Now, there are also "White walls" kits, to be glued to the tyre, in different sizes.
Are you considering to change your black tyres to a white wall tyres, or simply to glue a white wall kit into your current tyres? Because the finish is not the same... If you choose the "glued" option, be careful to glue it well!
Anyway, it's a question of personal taste. I prefer black tyres, but depending on the color of the car, the white wall also looks well.

Regards,














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Download Attachment: 230 SL_Frankfurt63.jpg
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Download Attachment: Anunci 230 SL granate.jpg
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Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

[Richard Madison]

Fabrice:

I kinda like white walls (thin WW's not wide). My Brown Beauty came with WW Code 641 and as I have such a perfect car (ha), I've kept the white walls. I think WW's look nice with a dark color like Tobacco Brown. Here's a photo even tho the car has been stuck as the Feature Car since the website started because no one else has sent in a photo for the next feature car...(hint).
Richard M

Download Attachment: TobBrwn71.jpg
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[n/a]

Doug, I will show you the pictures next time!!
The silver colour of the car is precisely the reason why I am hesitating. No matter what, I need to change the tyres (alas!! they are nice "vintage"ones) so I would change to ww tyres, certainly not glue anything... Isn't it better when things are lean and clean???
I am having the lower end of the back panel repainted back to silver (removing this black coating)...I guess I will decide then, see how the car shapes up!!!
Thank you all for your input!!!!
(I guess I am bound to post pics with new tyres soon!!!)

Fabrice
Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City

[Douglas]

Here's a pretty anthracite 280 SL with whitewalls:



Douglas Kim
New York, NY
#018260