To repeat or not to repeat...

[n/a]

According the one of the SL reference/authenticity books I got, the 68 280SL US model is suppose to have active repeaters (I grew up calling them blinkers) on the four fenders (opps, wings).

I'm confused. Mine is definitely a 68 and shows all the signs of being US, but there are no holes in the wings to even allow for bulb and wire assemblies to be fit to the reflectors currently decorating my wings.

Is the book wrong or am I miss-reading it?


Nervious Newbie `68 280sl

[Cees Klumper]

Maybe it has to do with build vs model year, i.e. your car may be one of the last to come without. On my '69 US 280 SL, there were reflectors without lights.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[Richard Madison]

Brian:

Your msg said that your 1968 280 SL

quote:...shows all the signs of being [a] US [car]

The way to confirm US delivery is with the Data Card....if you don't have the card for your car, you can call the MB Classic Center and get a free copy...it has a lot of info about your car...

If you already have the card, the card has an entry "Auftrags-Nr."...this is the order number and indicates the dealer that ordered the car...if this number shows a US dealer, it's a US car...

Richard M

[ted280sl]

Brian,
  It seems that you really are rather nervous. I can confirm that my '69 has reflectors as does Cees' '69. It is highly unlikely that your car had wired fender directionals. If your car had reflectors and a prior owner removed them it would be a simple matter to run your hand on the inside of the fender wells to feel for excess body putty which would have seeped though the filled in holes. I recommend the foward fenders as the rear inside fenders may have the trunk lining covers obscuring any old holes.
  Let us know if you find anything.
Ted
'69 280 SL
4 Speed
New Paint

[Bob G ✝︎]

Brian:
 The 1968 USA bound cars had reflectors due to DOT regulations but they did not light up until 1969 when the headlight switch was turned on for running lights. I have been told by Daniel Stern Lighting there is a way to make these side reflectors active to be used as turn indicators much like some of the new Euro cars being sold here now. Look under Danial Stern Lighting on the Web. I believe he is out of Houston Texas. He is quite knowledgeable about the European regulations for headlights and can be of help to modify for safety the front reflectors on your 1968 280SL. By the way, my car is the same year.
Bob Geco

[rwmastel]

Brian,
Hi.  May I ask what book you are referencing?

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[n/a]

Brian, to be sure your SL is a US version, look at your plate in the hood, drivers side, where the option and colour codes are.
on the first line, if you find the code 491, then your car is a Us version for sure. (see picture of a US version plate, 491 is the middle number).

Download Attachment: my280sl plate in engine.jpg
34.62 KB

Fabrice
Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City

[LFrank]

Be glad you DON'T have repeaters...the zany US DOT gave us the ugly headlights throughout anyway. One thing ALL of us share is our lack of chimsels (Center HIgh Mounted Stop Lights) that detract from the look of all later body-style sl's....

LFrank
Washington DC
65 230 sl - auto
DB334/Hellblau

[n/a]

krwaxbz, thanks for the clarification that repeaters didnt start on the 280Sl models till 1969. I checked the inside of the fenders for evidence of holes for lights... none.

rwmastel, I was referencing Laurence Meredith's book, "ORIGINAL MERCEDES SL", Page 73, 'To meet safety legislation, American 250SLs were fitted with additioanl rectangular side reflectors on the front and rear wings. These reflectors were replaced on the 280SL by indicator repeaters...' It doesnt specify which year 280SL the change took place.

Fabrice, I checked the data plate in the motor bay and it reads 491, thus a US model as you suggest.

LFrank, as a personal preference for aethetic and safety, I desire the side repeaters, especially when they alternate with the front/headlight enclosed blinkers/signals. It feels more European, and by purpose more effective in actually signaling my intentions to other motorists. I agree that the Euro headlights are more attractive and true to the spirit... I WILL have them one day.

krwaxbz, I checked out the site for Danial Stern Lighting  and will likely adopt their recommendation for "making" side wing repeaters.

Thanks all for the input/clarification... repeat on!


Nervious Newbie `68 280sl

[rwmastel]

Brian,
The Meredith book is owned by many people, including myself, but it has been proven to be inaccurate a number of times.  I would rely more on the people in this forum for details than on Meredith's book.

Have fun hooking up the repeaters!  I think it's a worth while modification for safety reasons.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[ja17]

Hello Brian,
According to my specs these reflectors were first used in August of "67". By this time more than 3,000 280-SLs had been produced without any reflectors or  marker lights.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio