surprise 250 SL Option

[zak]

There is a burgundy 1967 early model 250 SL California coupe on BAT right now showing the full one piece hubcaps, not the what I thought was the stock 2 piece cap and ring.
The description states that the one piece hubcaps with white wall tires was a factory option at that time. The data card is shown and sure enough it lists as option 641 - one piece hubcaps with WW tires.
I also confirmed this fact in our technical Manual.   You learn something every day.
Now I don't feel so bad driving my 250 SL around with the full one piece hubcaps even though it's not on my data card option list.
Can I truthfully say that it was a later option ?

jz

[Jonny B]

Most interesting! I will be waiting to hear from others on this one. The technical manual also lists option code 641 as the two-piece set up. There may be a date associated with the option code, but I am traveling and do not have access to a more detailed list of the option code put together by a group in Europe.

The list of changes for the 280 SL indicates it did not get the one piece hubcap until VIN ending 00045.

[kampala]

From everything I have seen code 641 for pagoda era cars is only describing white wall tires. 

Our tech Manuel is showing white wall tires with two piece hub caps and one piece hub caps and hence it describes the hubcaps.  The code reference is only for white wall tires regardless of which hubcaps the car has. From everything I see, the hubcaps were not an option during our years only the whitewall tires were an option. 

In addition, the car on BAT is an EARLY 250 — I don’t think the one-piece hubcaps even existed (would appreciate being corrected if I am wrong)

BTW -  my 250sl data card also lists code 641 (whitewall tires) and car has two piece caps.   Also, my 280sl also has code 641 and it has one piece caps and I have the original factory spare — white wall.

[114015]

Fully correct what Aslam and JonnyB said.
No deviation.

Achim
(2-piece hubcap collector)

[zak]

Interesting that you guys all agree. " No deviation " so I will bow to the experts.
But it is a bit confusing and a bit misleading because - Data Card Version 2 - which is shown as the data card for 250 SL models lists the full hubcap as an option along with WW tires ( and it also lists WW tires with 2 pc hubcaps as well ) . Perhaps Data Card Version 2 also is applicable to early 280 SLs as well ? But there are 2 separate Data card Versions for the 280 SL models.
jz

[kampala]

Zak

First, I am not one of the experts.  Achim and Jonny are.  I do however have the very large list of codes from a couple of sources.  I think what is confusing is that our tech manual “description” for code 641 mentions hubcaps - it would be clearer if hubcaps were not mentioned.

641 only means - White Wall Tires - nothing else.  The hub caps are not part of this code, the code only refers to tires. 

Our tech manual shows this code (white wall tires) with two piece caps and one piece caps as white wall tires were available for several years.  But the code is only about the whitewall tires not about the hubcaps.

That’s how I I understand it.  I am also basing this based on other Mercedes codes lists where 641 only refers to white wall tires. 

One version of a long code list is attached.  There are others out there that also list this code as meaning only whitewall tires.

[Jonny B]

Aslam, thanks for posting the full list

[Peter van Es]

I think what is confusing is that our tech manual “description” for code 641 mentions hubcaps - it would be clearer if hubcaps were not mentioned.
641 only means - White Wall Tires - nothing else.  The hub caps are not part of this code, the code only refers to tires. 
Our tech manual shows this code (white wall tires) with two piece caps and one piece caps as white wall tires were available for several years.  But the code is only about the whitewall tires not about the hubcaps.

You do realise that everyone can modify the Tech Manual? I just made changes to clarify what you mean... but the whole idea is that if you spot something incorrect, or which needs clarification, that you just change it yourself.

[zak]

Wow, yes that is some comprehensive options list. It spans from 1963 - 1997. Interesting how it's not segregated into categories - paint, interior materials, mechanical things - just numerical.
Kampala, do you know when that list was compiled ?
thanks,
jz