Soft Top Frame

[Alex D]

Does anyone know where I can find a donor frame for a 1967 250SL?  California Coupe never had a soft top, and would like to put one on.   Would a frame from a 230 or 280 fit on 250?  Nothing in the sale section.

Thank,
Alex D

[mdsalemi]

Alex,

The soft top frames are sometimes available on eBay, and I believe Gernold at SL-TECH in Maine sells them.  You will NOT get away cheap, guaranteed.

[114015]

Hello Alex,

All softtop frames fit. There are differences in details but generally you can swap in any 113 softtop fame.
Since the California coupé was not designed for the softtop, there is some specialized work necessary to put the softtop frame in, e.g. constructing the rear latch and more but basically you can get it working.

Softtop frames are not easily to come by. You can ask Gernod Nisius from SL Tech in Aurundel, Maine; he certainly has several frames. However, those are pricey but overhauled.
You should also ask the other sources with vendor-like characteristics: Dan Caron (Dr. Benz), Tom Colitt, K&K, and others.
Just keep your eyes open.

Good luck
Achim
(who finished hunting for his softtop frame)

[114015]

Here is the other pic I was looking for.

Was taken 2003 in Speyer at the 40th Anniversary where 364 Pagodas were around.
I "believe" the pic was taken by Klaus Drexl ... but I don't remember for sure anymore ...


Achim

[Raymond]

Alex,
The coupe was intended to be a coupe.  The hardtop is just removable because that's how the bodies were already built.   The installation of a soft top involves cutting and welding that will always be apparent.  Somewhere on the German Pagode site used to be a series of photos and a story about the retrofit.

Decent, servicable, soft top frames run about $3500.  Then you add the canvas for another $1K or so.  Then a skilled welder and interior person to try to dress it out.  Any wonder why Coupes are about $5K less than roadsters?

My suggestion is to embrace being a "Couper".

[Dasilvafox]

Did you find someone supplying a new soft top frame,are they all the same for 230 250 280

Any help would be good

Thanks

[Alex D]

Yes, I found one.  Buy chance I was talking to David at Buds Benz and asked him if they had one, he called me back item minutes later and said he had one just not sure what car it came from.  The deal was if it didn't fit or work right I would get a full refund.  To this day, it works well, with the typical issues everyone has with soft tops.   I also remember talking to someone on this forum in up state New York, Buffalo area maybe,  who had one in a "parts" car.   Don't remember who that person was.   

If you do find one, make sure you have someone show you how to properly lift it out of the compartment otherwise you will have it "freeze up".  Happened to me very first time I tried to put the top up.   

Alex