What about the 2 seater coupé? Has it anyone?

[Miloslav Maun]

I always hear that the pagodas were available in 3 versions, roadsters, roadsters with hardtop and coupés.
Searching this web I understood that the coupé is not to be mistaken with the California coupé which has two rows of seats and no soft top compartment. The original 230 SL coupé should have this compartment but empty 

I have never seen such a car. All I've seen have soft top and most even the hard top (I am not mentioning the California coupé).

Is it because nobody really ordered the coupé version or have people retrofitted the soft top during the time? Does anybody here on the board have the original coupé with no soft top?

Just curious... 

[Garry]

Muf,

I think this is one of the ones you are talking about.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=130300862787
I asked for some photos of the rear compartment but unfortunately the seller did not send any.
Maybe the buyer will come onto this site and show us?

[Richard Madison]

Here are photos of the back seat of a California coupe.

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=5774.0

Our Car Registry in the Tech Manual seems to have only two California Coupes among all the hundreds of cars listed.

When I see a rare Cal Coupe I think, Wow, that's different...then I remember that these cars are not very practical for most of the world. I don't remember seeing any statistics on the total number of Cal Coupes made by the factory but I suspect it's a small number. 

Richard M, NYC

[hkollan]

Hi,

If I understand you right you are not talking about a California coupe as shown in the eBay auction. (code 7)
I have a white 1971 280 SL Coupe that was delivered without the soft top installed, but with the empty soft-top compartment(hardtop also included). When I bought it a PO had installed a soft top, so I didn't realize that it was delivered as a coupe until later. The production plate(last digit on the line that show the paint codes for body and hardtop) shows a 5 indicating that it's a coupe.
The technical manual under "body and paint plate" describes the codes and their meanings.

[Miloslav Maun]

Oh, so there is really somebody who has such a coupé! Anyone else? With an empty compartment maybe?

And yes, I am not talking about the "California coupé" which arrived later, maybe together with the launch of 250 SL. I mean the regular "coupé" which was available right from the beginning of the production in  1963.

[Garry]

Went to the Mercedes  B Car Club Concourse day here in Melbourne Australia today. About 8-10 Pagoda's.  Interestingly there was what this forum termed, a 'Californian Coupe' that was sold new here.  The current owner, the nephew of the original owner showed me the original owners manual that had the sale, buyer details in it.  Described by MB on the documentation as a 230SL 2 + 2 coupe. All still in good original condition.  First time I have seen one in the flesh.

[michaelgread]

Went to the Mercedes  B Car Club Concourse day here in Melbourne Australia today. About 8-10 Pagoda's.  Interestingly there was what this forum termed, a 'Californian Coupe' that was sold new here.  The current owner, the nephew of the original owner showed me the original owners manual that had the sale, buyer details in it.  Described by MB on the documentation as a 230SL 2 + 2 coupe. All still in good original condition.  First time I have seen one in the flesh.

Just for the record Garry it's actually a 280SL, delivered new in Melbourne (AUS) in June 1968.
Now that you've drawn my attention to the subject, i'm really interested to know the production numbers for "California Coupes" (or 2+2 coupes as they are known in Australia). As my car is an Australian build version car, then obviously the 2+2 was made available in multiple countries.
Does anyone know more about this subject ?? 

[Garry]

Mike,

Type in "California Coupe" in the search at the above right and enter and you will see some of the earlier discussions on the California Coupe.
Interesting stuff and obviously not too many around.  Really liked the originality of your car. looked great.
Garry

[Naj ✝︎]

Just for the record Garry it's actually a 280SL,

Any pictures you can share?

Thanks
naj

[hill]

Any pictures you can share?

Thanks
naj

250 Cali

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mercebman/

[Naj ✝︎]

Hmmmmmmmm,

Do like the Heidelberg Gathering picture 

naj

[john.mancini]

Hello Muf,
My late 69 Horizon Blue 280SL was ordered without a soft top. It has option 415 on the data card (hardtop only). It also has code 533, (radio delete). The car came with a beautiful radio block off plate. The original owner had a dark blue soft top installed and a Becker radio installed by his MB dealership.
John

[Raymond]

Hi Muf,
As owner of one of the 2 Coupes listed in the Registry, I've tried to learn all I could about the Coupe.  I have not found any examples of the car you are looking for.  In 1967, with the introduction of the 250SL, a "2+2" or Coupe was made available and has a fold-down rear bench seat.  Ford had introduced the 2+2 concept and I think this was a response to that.  

My only guess is that if someone ordered a 230 without a soft top, it would simply have been a roadster without the soft top installed much like John describes his "option 415".  My Coupe is 417.

And, I find my car quite practical for Florida.  I love the Pagoda roof and prefer to leave it on.  My A/C works great.  On the days when I do drive it topless, the fold down seat makes a great platform for my dogs to ride upon.  I have harnesses that I attach to the seat belts and they can sit up high enough to enjoy the view.  That always attracts approving smiles from the ladies.

[Drewtee]

I've just noticed i have an Australian car with Body code 5, data card reads 415 as Jonn and Hans'.  Is this a Roadster/ couple / Cabriolet?

No soft top ordered with the car originally just the space for the soft top. Weird, i wonder why somebody would do this?
 
Maybe as it was a hot country they thought they would never require a soft top or they could get a better deal from the dealership to retrofit

It now has a soft top!

[franjo_66]

Here's another one that's for sale on carsales.com.au. Another 250SL RHD 2 + 2 version. They seem to be cropping up all of a sudden !!

http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=7242252&__Qpb=true&Cr=1&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Price_Decimal%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cpCar_Model_String%7c0&keywords=&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%201090%204294955060&SearchAction=N&silo=1011&seot=0&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=2&__sid=1217DAD0658D

Rgds
Frank

[weisse8]

I own a 250SL without a softtop but with hardtop - the real coupe. It is 100% original, none of the two former owners had installed a soft top. The color, I think, is very rare, too: 190 graphite grey

Regards
Joerg

[rwmastel]

I own a car originally ordered with hard top only.  Previous owner put in an early soft top with chrome above rear window.  Incorrect for my '66, but a better looking top, I think.