280SL 1968 Questions

[Roman Kishi]

Hello everyone,

I'm very, very new to this. I'm in the process of buying my first 1968 280 SL. Abviously, my wife isn't happy about it at all, mostly for safety issue, told her the only thing that's missing is the air bag!! Ha Ha...did not go well. So I'm trying to make her a little bit happier.

I need some help:
Can I install headrest to 1968 backrest, or I need a whole new set of seats???

The car has not so beautiful 3-point seat belt(not retractable)can they be changed to more modern retractable belts, and if yes where to get them?

This is an American model that I want to cosmetically convert into Euro. Can these bumper guards simply come off, or they would leave  ugly holes in the bumpers. Changing headlights...any tips?

Help, pleeeeeease. I live in Annandale, Washington DC area, any one in the group can help me with a list of trustworthy mechanics, suppliers and body shops/paint in Northern Virginia. Appreciates all the helpl I can get.    rkishi@verizon.net

Happy Holidays

 

Roman

Northern Virginia

[erickmarciano]

you can get seat belts no problem , you can find the headrests on ebay but you will need the rails also that can be used on your seats
you can find ther euro headlights but you can get rid of the ugly holes from the bumper guards

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

[Tom]

Roman,

Welcome to the Group.  Have you found the car you want to convert to Euro?

Installing the rails to receive the head rests is easy-don't know how hard they are to find.

Installing the retractable seat belts is a good safety add.  I am having these installed now on my driver.  There is a kit that MB sells to do the conversion.

Locally, I would recommend Carlos at JCP Motorsports for the seat belt work (needs some welding).  Carlos can be reached at 703-719-0509.  He could probably do the rails as well.

Best,

Tom

1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)

[Douglas]

Welcome! Each of these topics has been covered extensively in these forums, so please run a search on them. You'll be rewarded with lots of info.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220