Is my 1969 late or early?

[tomaco1]

I have a 1969 280sl and need to know if it's a late or early 1969? I have heard that there were changes during the 1969 model year. I need to get the correct headlights.
Vin#11304412010688
Thanks

[twistedtree]

The Tech Manual lists the chassis numbers by production month, so that should narrow it down pretty well for you.

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/USModelYear

[49er]

 That VIN would make it a late '69

John

[tomaco1]

Great
thanks a lot

[Benz Dr.]

How does this affect head lights? What am I missing here?  I thought all 280Sl's use the same head light systems if they're USA style.

[hkollan]

There are actually three different headlight versions for the US model 280 sl. The early version is identical (I believe) to the 230 and 250 US headlights, the intermediate version was only used on some of the 1969 model cars followed by the late version used until production ended.
Hans

[tomaco1]

I was told the size of the amber lense and the plugs are different in the later (late 69 cars)
If this isn't the case It would be better for me.

How does this affect head lights? What am I missing here?  I thought all 280Sl's use the same head light systems if they're USA style.

[mdsalemi]

Tomaco,

Your VIN pins production to sometime in middle of 1969.
I believe you would have the later US headlamps, which have the socket for plugging in the side markers; earlier, there were no markers, but reflectors which looked identical.
You would also have the amber tail lamps, and these too, would have a provision for plugging in side markers.

Dan--my VIN is for late January [1969] production, and I had (originally) an intermediate system with side reflectors, and no provision for power for later side markers.  In the restoration I went with later hardware and changed to markers instead of reflectors.  Sold the all red tail lamps, bought the amber ones with the power provision, and also bought the later style headlamp assemblies.

I think that the latest style ones were the only ones available new--and even at that time--11-12 years ago now--the new Bosch hardware came from the Czech Republic.

Dismissing originality earlier on, I thought more lights and visibility was a minor safety addition. Also left on the bumper protectors, and added 3-point retractable safety belts.  There was some thought put into safety updates...

[tomaco1]

I think I may of had the same setup as you, because I had the all red tailights and no marker lights, just the reflectors. I just want to make sure the later lights will still plug into my wiring harness up front. Are all the plugs for the front directionals the same?
Thanks
Tom

Tomaco,

Your VIN pins production to sometime in middle of 1969.
I believe you would have the later US headlamps, which have the socket for plugging in the side markers; earlier, there were no markers, but reflectors which looked identical.
You would also have the amber tail lamps, and these too, would have a provision for plugging in side markers.

Dan--my VIN is for late January [1969] production, and I had (originally) an intermediate system with side reflectors, and no provision for power for later side markers.  In the restoration I went with later hardware and changed to markers instead of reflectors.  Sold the all red tail lamps, bought the amber ones with the power provision, and also bought the later style headlamp assemblies.

I think that the latest style ones were the only ones available new--and even at that time--11-12 years ago now--the new Bosch hardware came from the Czech Republic.

Dismissing originality earlier on, I thought more lights and visibility was a minor safety addition. Also left on the bumper protectors, and added 3-point retractable safety belts.  There was some thought put into safety updates...

[tomaco1]

I got this picture of the Early and later lower headlight assembly, Is it safe to assume that each one requires a different plug on the car?

[bogeyman]

Tom:
Not to confuse the issue, but what you actually have is the "in between" fixture AN (see tech manual under lights).

AC = 230s, 250s and 280s up to #5607.
AN = 280s #5608 to #11947 - these are similar to AC but without the foglight.
AJ = 280s after #11947 - with the all amber lower part and the side marker connection.

Your picture is mislabeled according to what mine look like - I have a 1969 with AN fixture and a 1970 with AJ fixture. Your picture labeled "LATE" is actually an AN fixture back and the one labeled "EARLY" is an AJ fixture back .

[tomaco1]

Thanks
I assume that the plugs are not interchangeable?

Tom:
Not to confuse the issue, but what you actually have is the "in between" fixture AN (see tech manual under lights).

AC = 230s, 250s and 280s up to #5607.
AN = 280s #5608 to #11947 - these are similar to AC but without the foglight.
AJ = 280s after #11947 - with the all amber lower part and the side marker connection.

Your picture is mislabeled according to what mine look like - I have a 1969 with AN fixture and a 1970 with AJ fixture. Your picture labeled "LATE" is actually an AN fixture back and the one labeled "EARLY" is an AJ fixture back .

[hank sound]

Hi Tom - Our Vin #s are very close, mine being 010745.   I needed a headlight door and got it from Bob @ Vintage Euro.   Check the picture in the link I've attached.   The bottom quarter (half of the amber section) is part of the plastic door.  The upper (lighter amber) is part of the screw in section.

http://www.vintageeuroparts.com/100300.html

Cheers, Hank

[tomaco1]

Hey Mike,
When you changed to the newer style head and taillights to the new style, did you have to change the plugs on the cars wiring plugs? I don't really need the side marker lights, but I am having trouble finding the old style light setups.
Thanks,
Tom

Tomaco,

Your VIN pins production to sometime in middle of 1969.
I believe you would have the later US headlamps, which have the socket for plugging in the side markers; earlier, there were no markers, but reflectors which looked identical.
You would also have the amber tail lamps, and these too, would have a provision for plugging in side markers.

Dan--my VIN is for late January [1969] production, and I had (originally) an intermediate system with side reflectors, and no provision for power for later side markers.  In the restoration I went with later hardware and changed to markers instead of reflectors.  Sold the all red tail lamps, bought the amber ones with the power provision, and also bought the later style headlamp assemblies.

I think that the latest style ones were the only ones available new--and even at that time--11-12 years ago now--the new Bosch hardware came from the Czech Republic.

Dismissing originality earlier on, I thought more lights and visibility was a minor safety addition. Also left on the bumper protectors, and added 3-point retractable safety belts.  There was some thought put into safety updates...

[john.mancini]

Hi Tom,
My 69 is # 11208, built in August, 1969, making it a late model year 69. I bought the car about 8 years ago from the original owner. The car had only 41,000 miles on it and was completely untouched. It has the original AN headlights, side reflectors and the amber tail lights. It now has 44,000 miles on it now and still is completely original. I believe the AN type headlight assemblies are very hard to find. It seems there are plenty of AC and AJ types out there. If you look at the "featured cars" section of this website, under March 2008, you will see my Horizon Blue 69 with the AN headlights that your car, I believe, should have.
John

[66andBlue]

A very old post by Cees (see Reply #1 here: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=730.msg3422#msg3422) might be of use for this discussion here:

"Hello Brian - Information from the Technical Articles on the site and other old info off Yahoo!:
"Starting with production of the 230SL in 1963 to the 280SL in 1969 the solid one-piece bezel & red lens unit. According to Laurence Meredith (Orginal Mercedes SL Restorers Guide see Page #68) Amber indicator lenses replaced red ones for all markets in February 1969.

Frank Mallory, a noted Mercedes Benz expert, states that the change took place in 1970. There were three different types of 230 SL taillights. The regular ones were all-red with clear back-up lenses. The French ones have orange (amber) back-up lights instead of clear ones. The Italian (and possibly for Australia) have clear back-up lights like the original ones but orange (amber) turnsignal lights. You can find all three different types on eBay from time to time."

As for the headlights: (old info off Yahoo!) "US 113 cars had amber & white vs. pure amber running light in the headlight. The small amber has the code AN while the large amber has the code AJ. There are differences in the lights so they are only interchangable with some work, and only in pairs. They all fit the same however.

I believe that the AC lights are the earliest, used on 230/250/280 to chassis number 5607, which was early in '69 production year. The AN lights were used on 280's from chassis 5607 to 11947, and the AJ for the remainder of the production run. I have not had all three in my possession at one time, but the differences between all of them have to do with the number of bulbs; colors; and wattages for the parking/directionals with the sealed beam headlight being the same for all.

The biggest difference is in the AJ which contains an additional power "jack" to connect the side marker lamps which had changed from side marker reflectors and now needed power due to DOT regulations. All assemblies are still available; however they have vastly different prices. The AC is about $285; the AN about $340; and the AJ about $220. Go figure.

My new AJ's were made in the Czech Republic and were ALL plastic, including the chrome. NOT NOS! More important is the socket-back which contains the reflectors and the wiring for the directionals and parking lamps; the only one still available is the one for the AJ. Note this is not included in the above prices and is a separate part.

When I needed new headlamp assemblies, I opted for the AJ because of price, but more because my socket backs were shot (no chrome left on
the reflectors) and could not get any new ones for my original AN assemblies. Socket backs are definitely NOT interchangable. So if you have AJ's, I'd suggest only replacing them with AJ's else you need to do a bunch of wiring to accomodate your side markers and you'll have to do something about those socket backs."

So on your car, solid red tail lights appear to be appropriate/original. Personally I like the euro headlights and the orange rear lights on my 1969 280 SL. But many people really favor the solid red tail lights (NLA other than in -expensive- reproduction)."