info for a potential buyer

[hwsteeves]

I am looking at a 1970 280sl
it will be my first. am interested in finding out from owners about hard top removal and storage. are there purpose built stands and covers for the hard tops? is it reasonable to assume two people can remove and replace the top or is it dificult enough that one needs to invite a few neighbors to help. would love to hear thoughts on the subject as I would hate to find out by doing any damage.
thanks
H

PS can and will ask owner but have pestered him so much already

[Douglas]

Yes, there are purpose-built stands readily available. Just google "Mercedes hardtop cart" or something close to that & you'll definitely see what I mean.

Is removal of the hardtop a two-person job? Yes. Two will suffice, though I still find it unnerving simply because it's an awkward act to hold 165 lbs with your arms outstretched over something easily damaged. For this reason, many prefer to use either a manual or electric hoist. (Also readily available out there.)

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[seattle_Jerry]

Or you can stand/squat on your seats and do an Atlas...walking your top off the car by carrying it on your back...of course a hoist is easier, but where's the fun in that?

1967 230SL Havana Brown Auto with A/C

[JamesL]

The wife and I can remove/fit the hardtop, although as Douglas suggests, it's not without it's challenges. First time we did it, we lifted and I forgot thatit is slightly narrower than the rear of the car. The wife nigh on dropped the hardtop on the lid of the trunk.

Much swearing ensued from us both!

[Kemal]

Tosh, your wife must be very strong to lift the hardtop!
I've lifted the hard top always with a male friend or builder, even then you need to be very careful in maneuvering the top over the body... The last time I made the mistake of maneuvering from the front of the car & nearly went in to the windscreen...('[:0]')
We learn from our expensive mistakes!

Kemal
280 SL Manual 69

[peterm]

i have the hoist and its still sitting in the carton,  after one season with hardtop on and nary a drive in the car,  its sits neatly on a stand covered in the corner of the garage.  Now that my principle lifter is at med school im thinking about setting up the hoist but why bother.

[Douglas]

quote:Originally posted by kemal shah

Tosh, your wife must be very strong to lift the hardtop!
I've lifted the hard top always with a male friend or builder, even then you need to be very careful in maneuvering the top over the body... The last time I made the mistake of maneuvering from the front of the car & nearly went in to the windscreen...('[:0]')
We learn from our expensive mistakes!

Kemal
280 SL Manual 69

There should be a label on the headliner of the hardtop that says:

"Warning: Improper or haphazard installation may cause marital tension. Please handle with extreme caution."

Or maybe it should start with "Achtung!" as some BMW stickers do.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[France]

Hi Guys,

He Who Must Be Obeyed and I routinely lift off the hardtop without a problem. I suppose I am fairly strong for a "young-at-heart" woman(!)
We have never had a near miss...yet...

Trice
1968 280SL US, signal red/bl leather, auto, kinder seat
Sarasota FL; Alsace France; Switzerland
Think of your Pagoda as a woman with a past...

[Peter van Es]

Trice,

now, I wonder, am I the only one who thinks that "He Who Must Be Obeyed" rarely is....

Peter

Also known as 'admin@sl113.org' and organiser of the Technical Manual (http://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php). Check out http://bali.esweb.nl for photographs of classic car events and my 1970 280SL.

[Klaus]

I have an electrical sto' away hardtop hoist since about 15 years:
http://home.earthlink.net/~garbiso/menu.htm
I am very satisfied with it. It is a one-man operation, no sweat (if you can drive beneath the hoist), takes about 10 minutes. Do it several times a year, since I love the looks of the car with the hardtop, and hate the dead angle of the softtop without the side windows. I also have a hardtop stand (on wheels), which I never use, since the hardtop is stored at the ceiling of my garage (with cover). First one to pick up the hardtop stand (with cover) in New Jersey gets it for free.

Klaus
1969 280 SL

[peterm]

The only "he who must be obeyed" is the single guy speaking with himself,  Once you say "I do" it is your last undisputed independent decision.  I will say I get the last word in every argument and it's,  "yes dear"

[Raymond]

I put an electric hoist in the garage and use my own design quick install cradle. It takes less than two minutes to leisurely install the cradle, unlatch the top and lift it off.  It takes a little longer to put it back on because I'm so very careful about centering it before settling it into the receivers.  

I leave it hanging while I'm out.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[seattle_Jerry]

Raymond..."your own design cradle" gives me visions of Wyle E. Coyote and some ACME contraption, perhaps with an oversized plunger or suction cup. Maybe I'll design a Rube Goldberg lift.

1967 230SL Havana Brown Auto with A/C

[Raymond]

Actually it didn't come from Acme at all.  But it is a contraption.  
It's a cantilever cradle with an adjustable CG so it could lift a variety of tops.  I tested it with the the lid and an extra 150 lbs.  It could probably lift more than the roof could support.  I'll post some photos when I get a few moments with a camera.  But for now, I'll leave this thread alone.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe