Just Making Sure We Have These Pictures

[Pawel66]

Just to make sure we have the pictures. The first, with the two gentlemen for sure, but the third one, when we see the original idea, I suppose, of painting dashboard the color of hard top - I am not sure we know. If we do - sorry.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3159429067435733&set=pcb.2480336278845603&type=3&theater

[mbzse]

You must realise, these were pre-production cars that were present there i Geneva.
Many detail differences compared to the later "production type" 230 SL.

The promotional video from 1963 shows this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIuo82fubVA

Commented in our Forum here:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=9675.25

    Quote: "one of the prototypes, it's got the "Mercedes Benz" on the lower front fender.
    During the braking section I thought I saw a smooth body panel under the front bumper.  Or was that just my imagination?

You are right in that this early pre-production W113 shown has a number of details differing it from a later, full production Pagoda.
The rear door edge is fully chromed, shape of armrest on doorskin and the padding on the dash being rounded, for instance."

[114015]

If you asked me ... I know you don't, but if you did so,
most likely this DB 574 orange metallic-painted car with black hardtop/dashboard and turquoise leather interior is No. 000009, which belongs today to an enthusiast in Heilbronn, Germany.
At its beginning this car was used as business car by Fritz Nallinger.

[Pawel66]

If you asked me ... I know you don't, but if you did so,
most likely this DB 574 orange metallic-painted car with black hardtop/dashboard and turquoise leather interior is No. 000009, which belongs today to an enthusiast in Heilbronn, Germany.
At its beginning this car was used as business car by Fritz Nallinger.

Wow!

[Benz Dr.]

I have  146 here right now and it was painted a copper color which I'd have to imagine was special order. This car also has power steering which maybe wasn't so common on early cars. It makes me wonder if many or most of the early production was pre-ordered long before the cars were even built.

I'd be happy to hear anyone's thoughts on this.

[mbzse]

.../...It makes me wonder if many or most of the early production was pre-ordered long before the cars were even built.../...

Oh yes, was certainly so. Continued during all of the sixties. The time between order and delivery for a M-B was like 6 Months, at least here in Sweden.
A friend told me of how he made a heap of money in the early seventies by selling a /8 (Compact W115) that he had on order (he never drove it).

The dealers made bulk orders however so if you wanted a car quick, you could perhaps buy it off the showroom floor. But then the dealer had set the colour and specification...

[114015]

I have  146 here right now and it was painted a copper color which I'd have to imagine was special order. This car also has power steering which maybe wasn't so common on early cars.

Thanks, Dan,
For this info, highly interesting. 
It all depends. Copper 463 was available right from the beginning, and power steering as well.
"Officially"... no. 000013 was the first car built equipped with power steering.

What does the datacard of 000146 tell you about these...?


Best,
Achim