A few questions on upgrades

[gullwing71]

Hi,

I could not see answers on the forum for these qns, but...

If the original seats are changed from MB-tex to leather do you also have to change the door cards, dashboard and soft-top cowl pieces to leather?
Did an original leather optioned car have leather everywhere?

If the seat headrests have been recovered, say in leather, and you no longer see the grommets are the grommet holes just covered over, so that if you wanted, you could pierce the leather near where the original grommet should be and rectify the original look?  I believe the grommet hole is there so that you can adjust the tilt for the headrest?

How easy is it to change the manual antenna (on front right fender) to an electric Hirschmann?

Also, did the factory paint the data card metal plate, shown on front left of fender inside the engine bay or leave it just metal?  I have seen cars with the data card plate both colored and left as metal.  Obviously, a car having a respray in the engine bay will probably have painted over this data card plate.

I am guessing many upgrades can be taken by the owner but I am just trying to educate myself on what was factory done.

Another I can think of is the exhaust.  Was stainless steel/chrome looking exhaust tips original or not?

Thanks as always!

[neelyrc]

Answers to some of your questions in ”Bold”

Hi,

I could not see answers on the forum for these qns, but...

If the original seats are changed from MB-tex to leather do you also have to change the door cards, dashboard and soft-top cowl pieces to leather?
Did an original leather optioned car have leather everywhere? yes

If the seat headrests have been recovered, say in leather, and you no longer see the grommets are the grommet holes just covered over, so that if you wanted, you could pierce the leather near where the original grommet should be and rectify the original look? grommet holes likely still there  I believe the grommet hole is there so that you can adjust the tilt for the headrest?

How easy is it to change the manual antenna (on front right fender) to an electric Hirschmann?perhaps someone who has made the switch can advise

Also, did the factory paint the data card metal plate, shown on front left of fender inside the engine bay or leave it just metal?  painted body colorI have seen cars with the data card plate both colored and left as metal.  Obviously, a car having a respray in the engine bay will probably have painted over this data card plate.

I am guessing many upgrades can be taken by the owner but I am just trying to educate myself on what was factory done.

Another I can think of is the exhaust.  Was stainless steel/chrome looking exhaust tips original or not?chrome was original

Thanks as always!

[TJMart]

It is not difficult to change the antenna to electric. The antenna is mounted on the inside of the fender behind the foot well cover and some minor wiring. I replaced mine when I had all the dash pieces out which made it much easier.

[specracer]

Answers that I'm familiar with:

It is likely that the original headrest stuffings were replaced with foam. To get the grommets back, you will need to trim the foam, with the leather off (I used a hole saw, but not in a drill, in my hand), and cut the leather. Aluminum (vs OEM plastic) grommets are available at Buds Benz.

As others commented, easy to change to the powered antenna. You will obviously need 12v maintained (when radio is on) out of the radio, to raise the antenna (the Becker Europa has this)

If the seat headrests have been recovered, say in leather, and you no longer see the grommets are the grommet holes just covered over, so that if you wanted, you could pierce the leather near where the original grommet should be and rectify the original look?  I believe the grommet hole is there so that you can adjust the tilt for the headrest?

How easy is it to change the manual antenna (on front right fender) to an electric Hirschmann?