Optional Brightwork

[France]

Hi Pagoda lovers.  I haven't spotted any posts on this subject, so here goes.  I know that an unknown number of Pagodas were shipped to the US without the chrome between the quarter bumpers.  Mine is one.  However, can anyone shed light on how many of the automatic 280s or other models came without the AUTOMATIC chrome line below the model number?  Mine is also one of these.  Is it common?

Cheers,
Trice

The only difference between a caprice and a lifelong passion is that the caprice lasts a little longer...Oscar Wilde

[n/a]

Trice,
I have been told by a Pagoda authority that European automatics had the "Automatic" badge on the truck lid. This was the case with my 250SL. At least in the time of the W113, automatics in Europe were a luxury and thus the badge to proclaim. However, as most US cars were automatics the badges were not fitted to those built for the States.
Fact or falacy?

Regards,
Stan

[tuultyme]

The extra chrome and the "Automatic" was something on the European only cars.

Bruce; Green 1979 280SL

[n/a]

I was told that the US market didn't like the "Automatic" badging on a sports car. They preferred people to think it was a stick, even though they didn't want to drive a stick.  Also MANY of these cars went to professional’s wives and they wanted automatic.

There is an option code to remove the badging. My friend has this code on his car.

254 - No "Automatic" on rear deck

Michael Penner

[Cees Klumper]

My US 280 SL has neither the chrome between the bumpers (and a Pagoda owner from Spain pointed out that it should be there, but then he did not know it is an originally US model) nor the 'automatic' badge.

[n/a]

Before finding my Pagoda, I saw over 20 cars accross the US, none of them had those European features, no additional chrome nor Automatic badge.
From what I have seen, this was a European specificity.

Fabrice
Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City

[Albert-230SL]

quote:Originally posted by cees klumper

My US 280 SL has neither the chrome between the bumpers (and a Pagoda owner from Spain pointed out that it should be there, but then he did not know it is an originally US model) nor the 'automatic' badge.

Hi Group,

I read somewhere (cannot remember where) that the chrome part between the rear bumpers was factory removed from a certain moment of the 280 SL period. If this were true, all USA 230/250 SL and some early 280 SL should have that chrome bar...
I'm afraid this point could be difficult to verify, because the W113 Spare Parts list shows that part "for all W113" (MB part number: 113 698 0081, price: 51.25 Euros in Germany)... so, there's no exception for USA models...

Regards,

Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

[France]

I think Michael and Stan are both right--an automatic was an exotic option to be boasted of in Europe in the early 60s, whereas Americans were a little leery of proclaiming that they were not driving a "real" sports car.  We may never know the answer to the back chrome question...

Cheers,
Trice

The only difference between a caprice and a lifelong passion is that the caprice lasts a little longer...Oscar Wilde

[Naj ✝︎]

I think the chrome strip between rear bumpers depends on the country and their licence plates. E.g. UK (and some European countries) have long narrow plates so the chrome strip was fitted.
naj

naj
'Kloines Scheisserle'
65 230SL
68 280SL

[hands_aus]

The Chrome strip is not present on my Australian delivered, early 250SL, but the AUTOMATIC sign IS on the boot lid.

Bob(Brisbane,Australia)

[LFrank]

My European-delivery-program car came with the "automatic" badge (of shame, imho), but no chrome strip.

LFrank
Washington DC
65 230 sl
DB334/Hellblau