Author Topic: HELP! my w113 asked me if amber side lights make her look sexy, what do I say? (Read 3104 times)

leonard · « **on:** October 20, 2020, 20:08:45 »

Hello
I just bought a 250SL with a 280 engine in relatively good condition. Paint job is good but not to my satisfaction. Planning on doing a re-paint sometime in 2021 but for now deciding on what to do with the car. Car originally came from Italy with amber side lights and 'beautiful' Italian version side mirror. The amber side lights were removed and hole filled.
I did a search and didn't find this question

For owners of Italian w108/111/113's how do feel about amber round side lights. Would you take them off or if they were off would you put them back on? Why?

US version cars, same question. Please let me know if your Italian or US spec car, thanks leonard

JamesL · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2020, 20:31:22 »

I don’t mind side markers but not having them on my car prefer the naked look.
If the car is Italian, and you want at least a nod to its past, go round markers - I’m sure I read here that they are a common item (like Fiat or Alfa parts). But not sure I’d choose US markers over Italian ones.

Personally... naked> Italian > US

leonard · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2020, 20:50:39 »

James
that's how I see it. I prefer not having them on there...but the car is Italian so perhaps a nod to its past. They are common enough to find,
thanks for the input

doitwright · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2020, 20:59:09 »

As Mies van der Rohe (famous German architect) used to say “Less is more”.

Side markers were required by the Dept of Motor Vehicles of the country where the cars were delivered. Hence the different sizes and shapes. The German delivered cars are likely the closest to what the original designers of the W113 wanted the car to look like and we know Germany did not require sidemarkers on the W113. For this reason and my own personal preferences, I prefer the look without sidemarkers.

sandcrab59 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2020, 22:21:57 »

In 2005 when I was at Blacklick, Rodd M had an Italian car with the Fiat Orange side lights on the front fenders.
I think it looked great.
My 280SL (Euro) when it came to Calif in 1975 the owner ( I am sure that it was required by Calif) put on American side markers.
I really don't like them, car is perfect without them.
But since the laws are different in USA than Germany , I am stuck with them.
Since I found the lights on the Fiat website , I will change out the rectangular lights and put in the Orange round ones.
I will leave the rear ones alone.
When you see a car up close it is great.
Tom M

Atazman · « **Reply #5 on:** October 21, 2020, 15:11:44 »

Italian 250 SL; it has the round lights; it's gonna keep the round lights. No special reason for having/keeping them other than I see no need to change.

Jordan · « **Reply #6 on:** October 21, 2020, 18:14:23 »

I like the Italian side marker lights, but only the small round Italian ones. They identify the car as being Italian origin and I would keep them if my car was Italian. I'm with James on this, naked > Italian > US.

Cees Klumper · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2020, 20:44:12 »

Me too: Naked -- Italian ------------------------------------------------------------ US

Mike Hughes · « **Reply #8 on:** October 23, 2020, 14:02:24 »

If you are replacing your U.S. side marker lamps at the front with orange Italian style round lamps, I have occasionally seen those Fiat round side lights with red lenses - perfect complimentary replacements for the U.S. side marker lamps at the rear!

sandcrab59 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 23, 2020, 14:04:15 »

Sounds Good.
I did not know they had red lens.
That way all markers match.
Tom

ejboyd5 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 23, 2020, 15:25:06 »

Is it truly an Italy car with metric instrumentation? If so, there is no doubt I would return to the original side markers. The U.S, versions are oversized, discordant and ugly. The small, round lights are very attractive and a guaranteed conversation piece.

kampala · « **Reply #11 on:** October 23, 2020, 20:04:28 »

For those who have US side marker and want to replace with Italian - I believe (not 100% sure) that the Italian side markers are mounted higher up on the fender vs the US sider markers. Probably 12cm or so higher from all the ones I have seen.

ejboyd5 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 23, 2020, 22:26:07 »

Kampala: Good observation. I believe you are correct. In the OP's question he states that the original holes had already been filled so he is now writing on a clean slate. Perhaps he could provide measurements locating the original holes as a guide for anyone else contemplating "going Italian."

Pawel66 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 23, 2020, 23:48:45 »

The info is here: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Sidemarker

Shvegel · « **Reply #14 on:** October 24, 2020, 10:43:46 »

Bald is beautiful. US spec converted to Euro lights and bunpers.

Pawel66 · « **Reply #15 on:** October 24, 2020, 16:53:58 »

I agree!

A question of taste of course.

ejboyd5 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 24, 2020, 23:30:48 »

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=20302.0

leonard · « **Reply #17 on:** October 27, 2020, 14:57:48 »

Ok
It looks to be about even, however those with Italian version Mercedes seem to want to keep the round ambers as a nod to the car's heritage.

I like the car as it was designed (without side lights), but this is an Italian version so small amber lights it is.

...Now on to replacing vinyl interior..this doesn't look hard.....................%$^%$^..............@$$%$%%............@$#@$@$@$@%$@%$@%$@$@$%@$@%$@%@%$@%@%$@%$@%@%$@%..............

johnk · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2020, 02:33:14 »

Mine is the Italian version and I could easily have filled the holes in during my restoration but I wouldn’t think of it. The small round orange lights are original to its heritage and look great to me.

News:

Author Topic: HELP! my w113 asked me if amber side lights make her look sexy, what do I say? (Read 3104 times)