Coupe with vinyl top option!?

[66andBlue]

On Ebay is a 220SE listed with a vinyl top that the seller claims was a dealer installed option:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/290841928872
Is that correct or "seller speak"? Just curious - I have no interest in the car.

[hkollan]

Hi,

According to the sellers desription, the vinyl top was put on by his uncle in 1964.
Earlier in his description he mentions the factory two one color option that the car came with.

Hans

[w113dude]

I have seen this before on coupes, once up on a time must have been a fancy addition instead of just a paint job.

[Jonny B]

I am scratching my head that a vinyl roof could be a factory option, but I am traveling and don't have access to the sales lit/options list at home. "Dealer installed option" very possible, but could really mean anything. In the 60's who knows??

My more basic question, why would you do that to such a beautiful car. One detail I especially like is the front door armrests, which you can see in one of the photos, just a great swoopy detail.

[Bill Sgro]

Back in 1971 my Mom bought a new 300SEL 3.5 from the MB dealer in Cleveland, Ohio, Dowd Mercedes.  The car was 050 white with cognac leather and it came with a vinyl top.  As remember it (I was 11 at the time), it was installed by the dealer.  It was such a nice job I always thought it had to be done at the factory.  I still own the car and it still has the same vinyl top.  It is the only Mercedes I have ever seen with a vinyl top.

My 113, that was made 1 month later in April of 1970, was 181 light beige both upper and lower but the hardtop (not the hub caps) was painted brown by the dealer for the original owner. 

It seems those sorts of things were done in those days to customize our cars more often than we might think.

[Jack Jones]

The vinyl roof option has not been available from any manufacturer for some time now but you still see newer cars with them. If the customer wants a vinyl roof, regardless of the make of car the dealer will oblige. It is all about giving the customer what they want and adding to the bottom line.

[114015]

I am scratching my head that a vinyl roof could be a factory option

It seems those sorts of things were done in those days to customize our cars more often than we might think.

Absolutely correct. Cusomized in both cases. See the relevant data cards of these cars.

Vinyl tops were never-ever available for our cars of that period.


Achim

[Jack Jones]

Lots of vinyl tops in Florida and usually driven by a white top.

[ja17]

Yes, most likely a few were done when the cars were new, by the dealer, not the factory. It could have even been a pre-purchase request by the buyer to the dealer.