deCarbon Shocks

[mdsalemi]

I was reading a book on MB history last night, gathering facts and such on both Pagoda and 600 for an upcoming anniversary article in the Concours of America Program Guide.  I came across  a notation that read something like this:
"Early 230SLs were fitted with deCarbon shocks, later switching to Bilstein"

Anyone have a "deCarbon" shock?  Is it just "one brand" versus another or is/was there something different, or is the author misinformed? (Author was Dennis Adler)

While clearly I have not read everything, this is the first time I ever recall hearing of deCarbon shocks.

[Cees Klumper]

Never heard of the brand, but an internet search produces lots of info, it's an old brand that is mow primarily aftermarket in Europe, and owned by what appears to be a Chinese company. It's apparently a favorite for Buick GNX owners, go figure.

[mdsalemi]

I came across some of the same stuff you did Cees--but never heard of them as applied to the Pagoda...

[dasvinger]

DeCarbon shocks were french made, still used by GM in the mid ninety's for performance apps. Impala SS,Buick GN's,and Escalades.etc.
Very close to Sachs,and Bilsteines for function. Out of business now, unaware of the MB connection.
 As in anything,production goes to the low bid,or best provider.

Fred Hayes

[GGR]

de Carbon were popular for race applications and as a performance upgrade when I was a kid in France. I did find some on a W111 250 Coupe here in the US (got the LSD rear end out of it). They also gave the name to a system used by other brands, described here:  http://www.ohlins.fr/amortisseur-principe-carbon.htm

[alaska230sl]

Greetings! first time poster; I'm into a '67 230SL...JUST pulled the front shocks off, and they ARE a De Carbon.  It has 3 green vertical paint stripes, and the numbers on it are:  a 6 over a 66, which indicates a June 1966 mfg date, I think; a MB # 113 323 0000; and the last one long number, is 50900849390.  They are very weak.  My question for anyone is this:  I have some bilsteins here, new, purchased long ago, and thenumber on the Bilstein is: B9760?  can't make out the last number, and under that is 43001.  The new shock is about 4" shorter than the De Carbon.  (Jeeze, I hope they're correct...) Anyhow, these MAY be the original shocks to the car?  Any thoughts?  Thanks, Steve.  NOT first time poster...sorry....