Door lock striker plates

[PIP1947]

Can anyone assist me in resolving my problem with door strikers. Being a very early 280SL (RHD, VIN ... 000210 originally delivered 10 January 1968 to the MB dealer in York) my car has 3 hole striker plates of the type used from July '67 (250SL 002980) to June 1969 (280SL 010365). The striker plates work loose because they are secured only by the two screws at the top of the plate, there being no corresponding hole in the door jam for the missing third screw. Close inspection reveals what appears to be a curious anomaly - just visible under the bottom edge of the striker plates are two holes which appear to match up with the dimensions of the later, post June 1969 striker plates - the latter plates have four mounting holes, the bottom ones being 55mm below the top holes, whereas the earlier, 3 hole plates have a gap of 48mm between the top holes and the single bottom fixing hole.

Can anyone enlighten me on this subject? I would like to replace both striker plates, but am confused as to which I should purchase? Cheers
Pip1947

[Tyler S]

That is a bit strange. I think the only explanation would be the jambs were modified at one point to accept the later 4 hole strikers, then at some point the old 3 hole plates were put back on??  You may want to completely remove one to get a better look and see if those lower holes still have the captive nuts residing in the jamb. If so double check the door latches to make sure those are correct as well. Then I would say the later 4 hole latches should work (020 and 021). They are different in appearance as in they are chrome.  The current brushed finish 3 hole ones on your car are nearly impossible to find.

See the latches section in the technical manual here >> https://www.sl113.org/wiki/ChassisBody/Doors#Latch

[PIP1947]

Hi Tyler. I have had a look under one othe striker plates and yes, the captive nuts are in place. Weird, isn't it! My feeling is that the 4 hole versions will work but, in the event they don't, I suppose I can put the old 3 hole plates back and drill the car or the plates to accomodate a 3rd screw. My problem is that, as currently fitted, both strikers are secured only by 2 screws, which is not satisfactory.
Cheers
Pip1947