Headlight Switch PLATE

[kampala]

I am trying to find a part number for the Headlight Switch PLATE - the black rectangular plate with the white icons.  I know the knobs are very available, but I am trying to find a new plate and cannot find a part number.   

See photo.  The photo is from my 250sl, but I need this item for the 280sl.   I believe they are the same.

Any help would be appreciated. 

[Mike K]

Hi Oz,
On my '71 280SL the plate is slightly different, it doesn't have the "P" see pic below.

Try contacting this guy on eBay, https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lichtschalter-Knopf-Light-Switch-Mercedes-600-W100-W108-W109-W110-W111-W113-W114-/264270377788?hash=item3d87bdf33c I remember seeing one in stock a few months ago.

I've bought a few dashboard items from him, including a new light switch, no issues.

If all else fails, you could also have one made & engraved, it's fairly straightforward.

Best,
Mike

[kampala]

Mike,

Thanks very much for your help!

I think you have hit on a CHANGE from later 250's to 280's.   You are correct that the 280s seem to have no "p" icon on this plate and the 250's do have this "p".  I looked at random photos, including the first Holy Grail and they seem to corroborate that later 250's and 280's had different light switch plates.

Achim, Hans & Jonny B - did this very minor detail get caught in your extensive catalog of differences along the pagoda time line?   

Some photos pulled off the net - Two are 250's and Two are 280's

[114015]

Well....,

Just looked this up in Nemiga for the 280 SL-US.
Couldn't find that part.
Appears to be more difficult than I thought ...

Yikes....!

I'll keep on looking.

A.

[JamesL]

I've never seen this plate on a car over here...

[neelyrc]

Mike,

Thanks very much for your help!

I think you have hit on a CHANGE from later 250's to 280's.   You are correct that the 280s seem to have no "p" icon on this plate and the 250's do have this "p".  I looked at random photos, including the first Holy Grail and they seem to corroborate that later 250's and 280's had different light switch plates.

Achim, Hans & Jonny B - did this very minor detail get caught in your extensive catalog of differences along the pagoda time line?   

Some photos pulled off the net - Two are 250's and Two are 280's

Oz, here is a picture of my 280sl 007749 as delivered.

[Pawel66]

I spent good hours looking for PN for it, then I read somewhere (probably this forum) that it was US detail (as defrost) and dropped it.

I was surprised Authentic Classic had just the round one, not this one - they are usually good in these details.

[mbzse]

I've never seen this plate on a car over here...

Well observed, James. These plates at light switch and heat/ventilation levers on dash were factory fitted to US Pagodas only (e.g those that have code SA491 on body data plate)

[kampala]

Thank you all for your help - really appreciated.   

Well, since I did not realize these were specific to USA cars, I think I can do without it since I'm changing the headlights to Euro, no bumperettes,  and removing side markers anyway.     

[Mike K]

That's correct the European cars didn't have the plate.

It's been the subject of a silly and ridiculous ongoing debate between a friend who has a RHD 1969 280SL and me.....his car was a full restoration and about 98% correct, except for the "missing" Head Light Switch Plate. After he saw mine, he was convinced that his restoration was incomplete due to the "missing" plate. Talk about pedantic!

It took me a long time to convince him that he wasn't short changed and that these plates were only found on USA cars.

Best,
Mike

[Benz Dr.]

I think this might have been mandated for those in North America who couldn't read or wright and so pictures were used instead. Not sure how you could even get a driver's license back then without being able to read or write English but driving in Toronto today verifies that notion. 

[MikeSimon]

  couldn't read or wright 

..and today, we still need the spell checker....