Got wood?

[thelews]

Did the wood in the 113 only come in the darker shade or was a lighter (blonder) shade an option?

[mdsalemi]

I don't know the answer.

I have heard and read that a darker shade was the only shade.

My car, of which the wood was original (albeit sun-faded?) had a considerably lighter shade than the darker one talked about.  When refinishing we kept it that color--a bit light.

[49er]

I don't recall that the wood trim color was an option when I purchased my SL(s). The trim around the rear window is a little darker then the cowl and radio grill because of fading over time from sun exposure. I might add that the finish is a very low gloss, not the high gloss that I have seen in some photos of restored cars.

John

[al_lieffring]

When I ordered new wood from MBZ ca. 1980 I was asked for the trim number. For my #180 (ivory) interior I got blonde stained pieces with a satin finish.
I have no idea what stain colors were matched to the other interior colors.

Pagoda wood was always a matt finish. the thick glossy finish was found on sedans and coupes with the burl wood or zebra stripe wood.

[49er]

Here are a couple of photos. Car is O50 in color with Cognac MB Tex interior. Wood (and everything else) is original.

John

[Garry]

John,

Can I also get a photo of the centre of the hard top for wood fitting.  I have new wood to fit (brought it home with me from PUB in 09!!) and have completely refurbished the hard top but when I started there was no wood so I don't know the exact positions of the screws etc.  Also a close up of one of the screws would also be great or maybe Naj knows the part number for them?

Thanks
Garry

[49er]

Garry,
 Unfortunately, my car is in the shop right now so I can't provide you with more detailed pictures of the wood trim surrounding the rear window. I did manage to blow up one picture that shows the screw, which I noticed is a bit corroded . Hope to get my car back home in a couple of weeks but in the mean time, maybe another member could provide you with more detailed photos.
 John

[69280sl]

Garry: My computer is not reading my camera memory card so I will try to paint you a word picture. The screws are (US) #3 or #4, oval head phillips screws, 5/8" long. There is a finishing washer under each screw head.

There are a total of 10 screws.

Starting at the top center of bow, the first screw is 4  9/16" from the centerline. The next screw is 9  3/8" away from the first.

The screws on the sides are:
The first is 4  5/8" from the bottom edge of the side, the next is 5  3/4" above the first and the uppermost (on the side) is          5  9/16"  above the second.

5 screws each side, symmetrical about the vertical centerline.

Do you have screw holes in the top itself to verify these dimensions?




Hope this helps

Gus

[Garry]

Thanks John, Gus,

That answers the screws problem with photos etc but I don't have anything other than the rubber fitted over the lining as per photo so am mot sure how the screws attach to the H/T

[thelews]

I'm all for helping members with issues, especially Garry, but the last four posts have nothing to do with my question.  I believe that's known as a hijack.

If we can, does anyone know of blonde colored wood coming from the factory as original? 

[Naj ✝︎]

John,

Can I also get a photo of the centre of the hard top for wood fitting.  I have new wood to fit (brought it home with me from PUB in 09!!) and have completely refurbished the hard top but when I started there was no wood so I don't know the exact positions of the screws etc.  Also a close up of one of the screws would also be great or maybe Naj knows the part number for them?

Thanks
Garry

Hi, John,

My 280 has blond wood, but the car has had a colour change, so I can't be sure, but it seems like it has only been clear varnished and that needs redoing too!

Now, back to the hijack (sorry, John)

Garry,

10 screws N 007983 002208
10 washers A 000 985 0962

Thats another drink you owe me!

Naj

[Garry]

Sorry John,

I did indeed highjack the thread on blond wood.

And thanks Naj, I knew you would have part numbers. I will need a crate by the time I get to PUB with all the beers I owe.

Now back to blond wood, I am no help as mine had none to start with!

Garry

[bogeyman]

As far as I know, there was not an option for wood color.  That being said, it is entirely possible that the designers assigned specific wood hues that they felt were appropriate for the interior colors specified

Just a guess?

[66andBlue]

Here is a photo of the wood on Brian Peters' original 1969 280SL.
Dark stain/veneer that is cracking off showing the lighter wood underneath.

[pj]

Not wanting to hijack the thread, but I can't help wondering. . . with all the computer-controlled woodworking equipment out there these days, shouldn't it be possible to make the 4 or 5 pieces of wood that a Pagoda requires rather less expensively than the prices I've seen?

--Peter

[thelews]

Since when is price solely predicated on cost to produce?

[W113SL]

The only wood finish color was medium dark brown color.  Any variation in coloration has been bleached by the sun or stripped and finished as a lighter shade..  The original finish was satin lacquer over the satin.    It is hard to duplicate that exact finish but you could always check with Drew Tibcken at Heritage Woodworks in N.C.

Pete Lesler
1967 250SL

[mdsalemi]

Not wanting to hijack the thread, but I can't help wondering. . . with all the computer-controlled woodworking equipment out there these days, shouldn't it be possible to make the 4 or 5 pieces of wood that a Pagoda requires rather less expensively than the prices I've seen?

--Peter

Probably, but the setup cost is high which is amortized only after a large volume is produced.

[thelews]

The conclusion is as Pete states.  We looked at the hardtop wood for this particular car and it is darker, by a significant degree.  The other wood must have been refinished at some point.