Soft top

[Stof]

I have recently had a new soft top (GAHH) installed on my 280SL. The installer said that all SL soft tops had a rubberized gray tape installed along the inside edge above the passenger and driver windows. He explained the purpose of the tape was to give the fabric more strength so there would be less wind noise.  The car is being brought up to concourse standards.  I had the top replace 25 years ago and do not remember the tape.  The interior fabric is tan. The gray tape looks out of place. Is this the way they were constructed when new?

[Garry]

I think this is what they are referring to, item 14 in the sls linked page, its a strip of rubberised foam that helps seal the window glass top to the material and is fitted to the material.

http://www.sls-hh-shop.de/index.php/language/en/cat/c3_Mercedes-Benz-230SL-250SL-280SL-Pagoda--R113-W113-.html#cat_93_position_14_prod_0.