Engine Bay Color??

[n/a]

Hi, my engine bay is matt black like the trunk and it matches the back side of the front nose clip. Were some 280's actually delivered with black engine bays versus being delivered with an engine bay that matches the exterior color.  Not sure about this, thanks!

[Douglas]

No, the only black engine bays shuold be on black cars.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[mdsalemi]

While we are on the topic, I believe the following is correct--

1)  Underside of the bonnet/hood is car color.
2)  Engine bay is car color.
3)  Underside of boot/trunk deck is matte black
4)  Inside of the trunk/boot is matte black
5)  Underside of wheel wells car color.

INCORRECTLY you will often see engine bays and underside of hood/bonnet in matte black, and underside of trunk/boot deck to be car color, and even wheel wells to be matte black.  I believe most of these incorrect colors are simply because of body work or re-sprays done by people not interested in correctness but more completeness.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[Ben]

I would like to add my 2c here!

I believe that the wheel well areas were possibly dependent on the climate the car came from, i.e in certain areas if you ordered a white 230SL the wheel well would be black schultz. I know thius has been discussed at length before and I believe that was the conclusion.

The interior of the boot .......wasn't it satin black as opossed to matt ?

Also I spoke with the owner of a late 280SL here in Ireland who maintained his car was 100% original and its engine bay was black......
......just like most later and current Benzs'. The obviously started this procedure at some point. I would go with "coloured" but would love to know the definitive answer !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by Ben

The interior of the boot .......wasn't it satin black as opossed to matt ?

Of course.  What I meant was "THE Black".  I just had some powder coating done and they called it MATTE Black as opposed to GLOSSY or FLAT.  But others call it a satin finish--smooth but little gloss.  Our friend Pete Lesler even has the paint number cross referenced to commonly available paints as I recall.

Who knows what MB did on the production line 40 years ago?  On many things we've heard conflicting information.  Interestingly some of the conflicting information seems to come from old timers who swear everything is original when indeed it differs from the norm.  My guess is there was somewhat of a standard but the standard was deviated from on occasion, perhaps at the dealer level.  I can just see a Ziebart dealer 40 years ago covering the wheel wells with black undercoating...[:0]

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[erickmarciano]

what color should the serial plate on the left fender be?

1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa

[Douglas]

Also body color

Here's an example from a Papyrus white car:



Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

Download Attachment: b0c5.jpg
16.49 KB

[mal]

The Matt black in the trunk has a number I was able to get from Glasurit when I refurbished my car. I will try to find it and post it.
I agree with Michael Salemi on the color scheme.

....Found the Number: DB 7164

Malek Mrowa - Beirut, Lebanon.
280SL 71- Light Blue-/Blue
190SL 61 - Silver/Red

[mbzse]

quote:Originally posted by Ben
The interior of the boot .......wasn't it satin black as opossed to matt ?
Ben in Ireland.

The colour inside the W113 trunk is not black but is very, very close. It is fairly glossy but not a full gloss finish, the paint is slightly flattened.
If you didn't know MBAG called it dark gray, nearly everyone would call it black.
Paint can be ordered with part number A000 986 67 33- 7164.  The "000 986 67 33" is the part number of a one component (not catalized) paint sold by MBAG, and the "7164" is, of course, the color code for this: deep dark gray (Tiefdunkelgrau).



/Hans in Stockholm

[mal]

quote:Originally posted by erickmarciano

what color should the serial plate on the left fender be?

1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa

It should be body color

Malek Mrowa - Beirut, Lebanon.
280SL 71- Light Blue-/Blue
190SL 61 - Silver/Red

[TheEngineer]

I'd like to add my 2¢ worth to Michael Salemi's post: There's a plate covering the drive shaft and supporting the rear flex mount of the engine - transmission assembly: It should also be body colour.

'69 280SL,Signal Red,007537,tired engineer, West-Seattle, WA

[Ben]

quote:I'd like to add my 2¢ worth to Michael Salemi's post: There's a plate covering the drive shaft and supporting the rear flex mount of the engine - transmission assembly: It should also be body colour

........yes and it should also have the body number stamped on it !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor