Centre console folly.

[Martin Dwyer]

As a result of too much Lockdown time to myself and having a workshop lying idle I thought I'd attempt to resolve the question that no one asked. Being a cabinetmaker I can form plywood, stretch and glue leather, work in aluminium and arrive at something from crude cardboard templates.

The idea is that this car makes occasional continental runs, so I'm going to need to charge a phone, use Satnav play music off the i-Pad, in fact all the things the original Becker radio can't do. I opted for a modern but retro look radio/CD/USB/AUX unit that is passable at a glance.

Having gone down that route I realized all the plug ins had wires that would trail across from the face plate to the wooden gearbox tunnel tray, I can live with it, but I have the time make the whole set up a little less messy now. There are a few other little things too, I need the alarm/immobilizer indicator light to be more prominent and I'd like a pair of tweeter speakers to balance out the sound system. That was what I thought was needed, but making it look something in a 50 year old car was a little harder than it looked, this was the third attempt.

Could use a little help with rotating these pictures please?

{Photos rotated as requested}

[johnk]

Looks really nice to me.

[JN]

definitely different

JN

[doitwright]

What is the purpose of the “BENZ” medallion? Are the tweeters behind?

It is an interesting design challenge adding modern amenities to older cars. I have spent considerable time researching how Mercedes introduced air conditioning into sedans, coupes and he SL’s that succeeded the W113.

[Pawel66]

I think this is a great design! I fully agree it is a challenge to make it fit and look good. And this one does it!

As for Benz - I think it is not bad - quite intriguing.

Of course (I hope our Club Management reads it) I would put club badge there.

[Martin Dwyer]

Hi Frank, I crept toward the finished item I have shown here. I made some templates, cut and recut those ensuring the handbrake handle wouldn’t get fouled in its operation, this dictated a bowed front as I needed the cubby up close and personal to the dashboard.

The tweeters are behind the 40mm diameter grilles in the side, they didn’t need to be chrome faced in any way so I’m glad that they’re not immediately obvious.

The ‘BENZ’ medallion offers some relief to the expanse of leather that it sits in front of. It’s made by a German metalworker who has CNC cut a 6mm mild steel blank, had it chromed, then laser etched some model relevant wording around the fret cut centre, ‘W113‘, ‘PAGODA’, ‘230SL 250SL 280SL’ , he’s made a job of it and unusually, it looks better in real life than in the photos.

I had a tracker and immobilizer fitted that needed a prominent position for an infra red reader and a little flashing red warning light, hence the 18mm diameter chrome ring above the medallion.

This one item covers a lot of bases for me and it’s an easy remove with no cutting or drilling in any original equipment. I’m ok with it, there’s things I do differently but I’ll know more after a long road trip.

[Garry]

Pawel


There was a Pagoda Group Badge as a one off run arranged by one of the current Board Members that would have fit nicely.

[doitwright]

I see the tweeters now. Very discrete. Does the console support or hold in place any of the accessories you mentioned? How is the sound with the tweeters positioned as you have them?

[Martin Dwyer]

Hi Frank,  the console holds my phone and Satnav and all the wiring to plug them into the face of the retro look radio which shortens the distance to connect in which cleans up the cabin no end. The tweeters, if I'm honest, should be higher in the cabin, but I cannot bring myself to alter the interior any more than I have. I'm thinking now that mid range speakers with a concealed amp might have been better. I had a stainless exhaust and it is a little loud, it's going to be a balancing act to get the sound right. Can't compromise the roar of the exhaust though, that, so far, is one of the most enjoyable parts of driving the car.

[doitwright]

I am curious about the sound quality from tweeters that are positioned in the center of the car. I have seen examples of the 2 tweeters installed on pagodas in place of the mono speaker behind the center wood grill. From what I have read, the tweeter direction is the most critical for optimal sound. Ideally, they would be directed in line with the listeners ears. Some custom audio installers will direct them toward a spot on the roof between the seats. Of course, optimal sound in any convertible involves compromises.

I would like to see a photo of your console installation with the accessories in place.

Nice work.

[JamesL]

I have a pair of tweeters under the dash-top grille and a sub-woofer under the passenger seat, with midrange speakers in the kickpanels, all on my Retrosound. Very very happy with this set up.

But love your console, not sure I’d call it a folly though as it serves a purpose. And gave you something to do...

[FGN59]

James,
Which Retrosound model do you use? I looked at their lineup and found it very confusing. In addition, my impression is that, provided you select a model that fits the opening in the dash, you can keep (if you wish to) the original bezel and buttons, but this isn’t really clear?

[mrfatboy]

I put in this retrosound version. Selected the look alike knobs and black button option.

https://www.retromanufacturing.com/products/1964-72-mercedes-benz-600-long-beach-radio-with-pinstripe-chrome-faceplate?variant=28587569667

Then with the help of Alpinaltd we created this kit to help dress it up a bit.

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=26843.0

[JamesL]

Francois
I got mine at RetroCarStuff in the UK. Darren was very helpful - I didn’t buy the speakers from him due to the limited under seat clearance for the sub.
I went with San Diego Classic DAB Car Radio Chrome Pinstripe and a DaB aerial splitter. I had a DIN sleeve so it was a simple (physical) swap but with different wiring challenges (hadit installed professionally)

https://www.retrocarstuff.com/shop/classic-car-stereo/retrosound-dab-san-diego/retro-manufacturing-san-diego-classic-dab-car-radio-pinstripe

It’s not quite as good looking as my old Becker 7948 but does more of what I want it to do

[thelews]

James,
Which Retrosound model do you use? I looked at their lineup and found it very confusing. In addition, my impression is that, provided you select a model that fits the opening in the dash, you can keep (if you wish to) the original bezel and buttons, but this isn’t really clear?

They fit the same, very flexible.  The differences are features and prices.  Hermosa has bluetooth, Long Beach has Sirus, if I recall, basic has no bluetooth.

I installed it in my XKE.  Very happy with it.

[FGN59]

Thank you all for your kind suggestions. Will look them up and report.

[66andBlue]

As a result of too much Lockdown time to myself and having a workshop lying idle I thought I'd attempt to resolve the question that no one asked. Being a cabinetmaker I can form plywood, stretch and glue leather, work in aluminium and arrive at something from crude cardboard templates.

The idea is that this car makes occasional continental runs, so I'm going to need to charge a phone, use Satnav play music off the i-Pad, in fact all the things the original Becker radio can't do. I opted for a modern but retro look radio/CD/USB/AUX unit that is passable at a glance.

Having gone down that route I realized all the plug ins had wires that would trail across from the face plate to the wooden gearbox tunnel tray, I can live with it, but I have the time make the whole set up a little less messy now. There are a few other little things too, I need the alarm/immobilizer indicator light to be more prominent and I'd like a pair of tweeter speakers to balance out the sound system. That was what I thought was needed, but making it look something in a 50 year old car was a little harder than it looked, this was the third attempt.

Could use a little help with rotating these pictures please?

{Photos rotated as requested}

Martin,
it looks like you have an open rectangular slot on the top. What is it for and why is it open?

Btw, I changed the orientation of your photos as requested.

[Martin Dwyer]

Thank you 66andBlue for the pictures.
The radio faceplate has direct plug ins within it and wires trail from that face from either the USB or AUX ports to connect into Satnav, IPhone, iPad or other things that need charging. The cubby hole takes these leads and the phones and neatly stores them directly under the radio unit. It’s been a few weeks since it was fitted and is working well for all these things.

[goda77]

Thats beautiful! Well done!
I also used the RetroSound radio. Great Bluetooth connectivity.  Here's a pic.  I also taped the USB plugs under the radio onto the underside of the dash for easy access.

[hauser]

Here's my center armrest with storage.

[thelews]

Retrosound radio is great.  I installed one in my XKE.  You can get an applique to fake a radio dial on it.  Also, if you adjust your knob shaft nuts better, you can make the radio flush with the faceplate as an original radio would have been.

[mrfatboy]

Here’s my retrosound with upgraded decals.

[thelews]

At the time, I didn't see you could get black buttons.  I would have.

[goda77]

Here's my center armrest with storage.

That's a beautiful thing