In the Heat of the Day

[harleydan]

A few days ago I went out in the car with the top down.  The weather temperature hit 100 degrees and I left the car parked outside in the heat of the day for about an hour and a half.  On returning, of course the seats were very hot.  I have MB Tex.   Sitting down I thought if the more soft and pliable seats would deform due to the high temperature and me sitting on them.  I also thought of the wood trim and if the high temperature would have an adverse effect on them.  What about the stereo (albeit I have a modern stereo system)?  What about the steering wheel (albeit I have a Nardi)?  Any insights or comments?

Cheers,
Danny
1970 silver 280SL Euro 4-speed

[Raymond]

With the top off, the interior temperature was perhaps 40 F below what it would have been with the roof on.  The dash wood suffers more from the UV rays than the heat.  Same for the Nardi wheel.  Probably true of the seats too.  The radio for any automobile is designed for the intense heat and is probably one more reason they're so much more expensive than portable radios and MP3 players. 

[J. Huber]

I doubt you would cause any real damage (except the back of your legs if you wore shorts!) -- unless its consistently parked in the sun. Obviously this would probably take its toll over time.

I try and avoid such situations but whenever I have to park in the sun for any length of time, I put on my soft tonneau cover. Also keeps out leaves in the fall.

[thelews]

In my opinion, of the natural elements, sun is the worst thing for a car.  I always try to be in the shade or inside.

Look at those Oregon cars, damp, grey, cool...but, fabulous cars come out of Oregon, almost time capsules.

Then you have Arizona, the land of char-broiled 113s.  Much worse than any damp environment.  Of course, salt is the killer, but can be avoided.

[J. Huber]

Good points John. I agree the sun can do a lot of damage -- I meant to say to Danny a singular roasting will be ok. By all means find shade when possible!