Option 415, no soft top in my 63 230sl

[EarlypagodaMX]

Hello,  I was doing some decoding on my data card and even dough I'm looking to buy a soft top for my car, I just found out that it didn't loose along the years,  it just never had one, which seems un practical, what's the point of that?.

How common was that? Are there any other fellow members with that option?

Is there any required special work to fit a soft top or is it just a bolt on work?

I appreciate your advice and experiences

Regards

Eduardo

[Cees Klumper]

It was more common that one would think. If you do a search you will find a lot of information on this. Basically it is very costly to (properly) add a soft top. Good luck with your decision.

[badali]

My car had no soft top when new either.  When I bought the car in 2008 I purchased a used frame and had it installed with new top from GAHH.  The 4 bolts were in the compartment.  It just needed to be adjusted to fit the windows.  It is pretty straight forward to do.

[EarlypagodaMX]

Thanks Klumper and Brad

[badali]

Here are some pictures of the raggy frame...

[badali]

Finished top

[114015]

Code 4/5 - no softtop 

Yes, Eduardo,

Not specifically ordered softtop was not uncommon. Quite a number of Pagodas had that.
That's why so many owners are (or were) today after a used softtop frame. The demand is higher than the current supply.

In the old days quite some first owners ordered the SLs like that - basically as a (beautiful) Coupé  (for the ones who liked that Pagoda hardtop  ) but did not want to use the car primarily as a Cabriolet.

Good luck finding a softtop ! 

Best,

Achim

[mbzse]

Code 41/5 - no softtop  .../... Not specifically ordered softtop was not uncommon. Quite a number of Pagodas had that

Note however, the Pagoda cars with SA code 41/5 in the data card were equipped with a compartment for stowing the soft top and frame, but the items were not installed at the production line in the factory. Soft Top compartment lid was there, but it was empty underneath.

There was a variant, SA 41/7, which was a 250 SL or 280 SL Pagoda with a bench rear seat and no soft top compartment (or soft top) Sometimes named "California Coupé" Pagoda. Picture attached

[MikeL43]

My 1967 250 SL was delivered without a soft top per the data card.  I think it was ordered this way by the dealer as a floor plan car that would cost less than one with a soft top.  I wonder what the cost difference was between the two cars?  I'd like to have one but the prices for one like I want are too rich for the small benefit I would have.  As an aside I recently sold a 1986 560SL and the collector I sold it to said that some Corvettes were sold without a soft top.  Just when you think you know all about these cars something like this pops up. 
Mike L.

[mbzse]

.../...cost less than one with a soft top.  I wonder what the cost difference was between the two cars?

If you look at the Price list No 18 (Feb 1967) in Engelen; the basic car 4sp manual in a solid colour was 21 000 DEM (German Marks) and the Soft top and HardTop was 1180 DEM to this; sum of 22 180 DEM.
If you ordered a car w/o soft top (but with HardTop; SA code 41/5) the price was 21 400 DEM.  So, some 3.5% difference

[Pawel66]

My car was ordered without soft top (in Germany - not so sunny climate). I conclude that based on line 2 on body and paint number plate (code 5). Tech Manual says the car had a regular soft top compartment. One of the previous POs got one. So I now have a soft top from 230SL on my 280SL. I am quite happy as I do not need to stick the handles whilr opening and closing soft top.

[john.mancini]

My 69 280SL was originally ordered without a soft top (Option code 415) and without a radio. I purchased the car from the original owner. Immediately after he took delivery of his new 280SL in 1969, he had the MB dealer install a new factory soft top and a stereo Becker radio with the correct MB stereo speakers. I'm glad he came to his senses years ago. It would be very costly today to add those options.