New Member - Data Card Questions

[KevinC]

My "new" 1967 230 SL arrived Monday. My wife thinks I am nuts as I remodeled the garage last weekend to make way for the new addition (her SUV is outside until the job is completed).

I have been following forum posts for the last two months but now its time to jump in...a newbie armed with a data card is a dangeous combination!

Anyway, the car us from Northern CA and has NO rust (ever). The body panels are well aligned and it seems that the only panel replacements were the rear left quarter and door skin, both were done extremely well... only the seam in the jamb was a give away. The nose is all original and in fine shape. It has an older repaint that will require some slight "ding" removals and chip repair. The completely re-build motor has 14k miles.

Now to the question: the soft top needs replacing and the data card shows number 737. I can find that color on any websites I have searched. I am assuming its a shade of brown as the interior is number 113. The exterior is 670 light ivory. Any thoughts?

For those interested, here's what I will be attacking in the near future. I will consider any and all recommendations:

Replace transmission mount and differential leak (trusted ocal shop to repair)
Replace soft top/ seat covers and carpet
Replace left rear bumper
Change to WSW tires as per data card
Take out a loan and replace left sunvisor
Find passenger door mirror as per data card
Replace CD player with original Becker (on hand)
Search for original fuel tank for trunk (10 liter and mode of packing)

Wish me luck!

Kevin C
Boca Raton, FL

[Ed Cave]

Kevin:

As far as I can tell, 737 is not a valid soft top code. Could it be 437, which was in fact, brown?

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA

1964 356C
1971 280SL
2002 SC430
2004 A4 3.0

[Mike Hughes]

737 is the 230SL data card code for the 437 Brown soft top.

quote:Originally posted by Ed Cave

Kevin:

As far as I can tell, 737 is not a valid soft top code. Could it be 437, which was in fact, brown?

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA

1964 356C
1971 280SL
2002 SC430
2004 A4 3.0

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[KevinC]

Ed,

I am not certain that I am in the right place for the soft top but the "737" shows up under "wenig gewunscht". I was assuming this was the color code since other top codes I have noticed are in the 720 to 740 range.

I will probably just go with 746 dark brown for now as 743 parchment is lighter than the interior. Do you know where I can find the 437 brown you describe?

-Kevin

[Mike Hughes]

You might try getting in touch with Gernold at SL Tech up in Maine.  He knows more about 113 tops than just about anybody else I can think of!

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[KevinC]

Thanks for the help!

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by KevinC

Replace transmission mount and differential leak (trusted ocal shop to repair)

The differential leak might not need "fixed".  There is a vent on the differential and it can become clogged causing enough pressure to push fluid out, or so I've been told.  I have this same problem, but have not cleaned the vent as of yet.  We can hope it works!

quote:Take out a loan and replace left sunvisor

Not really that expensive - wait until you buy that new correct leather interior! $$$

quote:Find passenger door mirror as per data card

Your message says that the left door was replaced.  Why is your right door's mirror missing?  No big deal if it's a replacement door.  Check the paint job, door fit to body, window fit to tops, and function of window.  If all is right then someone took good care of the car.

quote:Search for original fuel tank for trunk (10 liter and mode of packing)

Actually, your data card entry probably implies that there was 10 liters of fuel supplied in the normal fuel tank and indicates some particular shipping preparation relative to domestic or international destination.

If you do want a spare fuel tank for the trunk, these are available new at SLS in Germany.  Go to:
http://sls.sparebase.de/bin/dbframes.phtml?mid=IN02
and in the top right window scroll down to image of the trunk tools and jack.  Click on it!  Your tank is item #110 for about 63 Euro (about $75 US).

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[KevinC]

quote:Originally posted by rwmastel

quote:Originally posted by KevinC

Replace transmission mount and differential leak (trusted ocal shop to repair)

The differential leak might not need "fixed".  There is a vent on the differential and it can become clogged causing enough pressure to push fluid out, or so I've been told.  I have this same problem, but have not cleaned the vent as of yet.  We can hope it works!

quote:Take out a loan and replace left sunvisor

Not really that expensive - wait until you buy that new correct leather interior! $$$

quote:Find passenger door mirror as per data card

Your message says that the left door was replaced.  Why is your right door's mirror missing?  No big deal if it's a replacement door.  Check the paint job, door fit to body, window fit to tops, and function of window.  If all is right then someone took good care of the car.

quote:Search for original fuel tank for trunk (10 liter and mode of packing)

Actually, your data card entry probably implies that there was 10 liters of fuel supplied in the normal fuel tank and indicates some particular shipping preparation relative to domestic or international destination.

If you do want a spare fuel tank for the trunk, these are available new at SLS in Germany.  Go to:
http://sls.sparebase.de/bin/dbframes.phtml?mid=IN02
and in the top right window scroll down to image of the trunk tools and jack.  Click on it!  Your tank is item #110 for about 63 Euro (about $75 US).

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[KevinC]

Rodd,

Great info...I will follow up on the differential vent and the spare fuel tank. Re the left door/passenger mirror...I meant right door and quarter panel. I must have had the car in the driveway facing out when reviewing this! As for panel fitment, every thing is straight and even (very pleased). I saw a sunvisor at Bud's Benz for $300 but the MB Tex seat covers are $480. Cant figure this one.

Off to do more tinkering...
Kevin Caputo

quote:Originally posted by rwmastel

quote:Originally posted by KevinC

Replace transmission mount and differential leak (trusted ocal shop to repair)

The differential leak might not need "fixed".  There is a vent on the differential and it can become clogged causing enough pressure to push fluid out, or so I've been told.  I have this same problem, but have not cleaned the vent as of yet.  We can hope it works!

quote:Take out a loan and replace left sunvisor

Not really that expensive - wait until you buy that new correct leather interior! $$$

quote:Find passenger door mirror as per data card

Your message says that the left door was replaced.  Why is your right door's mirror missing?  No big deal if it's a replacement door.  Check the paint job, door fit to body, window fit to tops, and function of window.  If all is right then someone took good care of the car.

quote:Search for original fuel tank for trunk (10 liter and mode of packing)

Actually, your data card entry probably implies that there was 10 liters of fuel supplied in the normal fuel tank and indicates some particular shipping preparation relative to domestic or international destination.

If you do want a spare fuel tank for the trunk, these are available new at SLS in Germany.  Go to:
http://sls.sparebase.de/bin/dbframes.phtml?mid=IN02
and in the top right window scroll down to image of the trunk tools and jack.  Click on it!  Your tank is item #110 for about 63 Euro (about $75 US).

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[mdsalemi]

Kevin,

Congratulations on your car.  You asked for some advice?  Here it is.

1) Do not under any circumstances allow your wife's car to reside outside in pursuit of your 113 hobby.  This will have long term unintended consequences.  If you only have a one car garage, you are in deep trouble.

2)  For WW tires, consider Coker; I've found them to be very good, and they are a repro specifically for the 1960's Mercedes.  Sadly, I can't find the link I once had to a company that would take ANY BW tire and add a WW to it.  It was expensive--nearly double the BW tire price but it would give you more options.  There is some debate about tires of course, and quite a few posts about it.

3)  There are many suppliers of leather interiors; mine was from GAHH in N. Hollywood, CA. I am quite satisfied with their product quality.  Contact me off line and I'll forward some photos.  You can find them at:

http://www.GAHH.com/

4) Passenger door mirror should still be available.  Check with the usual suppliers.

5)  Tim Kidder at K&K in Sparta Michigan is a sheet metal supplier to the MB trade.  He has remanufactured the 280SL fuel tank, so you might want to contact him when you decide to do this.  YOu were talking about the regular fuel tank, yes?  Or the overflow?

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

[TR]

Mike -- You said:  "Sadly, I can't find the link I once had to a company that would take ANY BW tire and add a WW to it. It was expensive--nearly double the BW tire price but it would give you more options."

Is this what you're thinking of???:  http://www.dbtires.com/why_choose_diamondback.htm

I haven't called Diamond Back Classic Radials to confirm, but it you read the 1st block, "Made in the USA" it sounds like they might be able to add white walls to whatever tire one wishes.  If this is true I suspect several of us might be interested.

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by TR

Mike -- You said:  "Sadly, I can't find the link I once had to a company that would take ANY BW tire and add a WW to it. It was expensive--nearly double the BW tire price but it would give you more options."

Is this what you're thinking of???:  http://www.dbtires.com/why_choose_diamondback.htm

I haven't called Diamond Back Classic Radials to confirm, but it you read the 1st block, "Made in the USA" it sounds like they might be able to add white walls to whatever tire one wishes.  If this is true I suspect several of us might be interested.

Tom, that could be it.  However several years ago when I first investigated this, they didn't seem to have a catalog.  They just took your spec, bought the tires, and added white walls to them in any dimension you wanted.  So, if someone is interested I'd suggest a call directly to them.

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

[TR]

Mike -- I will call them next week.  If Diamond Back really does this, then the hunt will be on for the best performing tire that also provides "the look".  And by the-look I mean a contemporary tire (205/70R14???) with an aggressive/beefy/muscular appearance ... Yet one that could also work with the look of 3/4 inch white wall stripe that might be added by Diamond Back.

Finding this kind of tire, one which would also work with a white wall addition, might be an intersting balancing act.

[Eryck]

Kevin - too bad you are not in Hong Kong. Otherwise, I would have some company is fixing up my car. Unlike you, I still haven't got a well laid out plan yet. Have a whole bunch of stuff to do on my recently acquired 65 230SL.

TR - you mentioned 205 tires. They came with my car and I was just wondering about that. What's your experience with them? I know that the original tires were 185 and not sure if I should leave the 205s on. They are almost brand new. But then, the whitewalls are so so tempting. Will have to order them from the US in any case.

1965 230 SL White Manual
Hong Kong

[TR]

Eryck -- I've had a set of 205/70R14 Michelin MXV4's on my '71 280SL for years and they've been great.  Zero complaints.  My understanding is that 205/70/14s are good replacements for the original 185/14s.  But I am now drawn to the white wall look, and that really limits the selection.  Especially if one wants it all (excellent handling, overall performance, a great look, and with white walls yet.  Mike is clearly very pleased with the his 185/14 white walls, complete with rub strip, from Coker.  If Mike is happy, then I have no doubt that's good enough for just about anyone.  But I'll be looking around a little bit further before I make the change.

I'll probably end up with a set of Cokers; maybe it's the narrower look that's bothering me, and perhaps the flat spot thing that happens to belted tire.

[KevinC]

Mike,

Thanks for all the info. The SUV is back in the garage next to the SL so I am back in from the dog house. Actually, after 20 years, my wife anticipated that I would be a bit "eccentic" re the 113. I will follow-up on the recommendations you offered.

-Kevin

quote:Originally posted by mdsalemi

Kevin,

Congratulations on your car.  You asked for some advice?  Here it is.

1) Do not under any circumstances allow your wife's car to reside outside in pursuit of your 113 hobby.  This will have long term unintended consequences.  If you only have a one car garage, you are in deep trouble.

2)  For WW tires, consider Coker; I've found them to be very good, and they are a repro specifically for the 1960's Mercedes.  Sadly, I can't find the link I once had to a company that would take ANY BW tire and add a WW to it.  It was expensive--nearly double the BW tire price but it would give you more options.  There is some debate about tires of course, and quite a few posts about it.

3)  There are many suppliers of leather interiors; mine was from GAHH in N. Hollywood, CA. I am quite satisfied with their product quality.  Contact me off line and I'll forward some photos.  You can find them at:

http://www.GAHH.com/

4) Passenger door mirror should still be available.  Check with the usual suppliers.

5)  Tim Kidder at K&K in Sparta Michigan is a sheet metal supplier to the MB trade.  He has remanufactured the 280SL fuel tank, so you might want to contact him when you decide to do this.  YOu were talking about the regular fuel tank, yes?  Or the overflow?

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

[KevinC]

Thanks for all the info back. Now I have to find time to work in doing my "day" job!