PUZZLE...TRUNK LIGHT OPTIONS

[thomas wright]

Hi Everybody,

My puzzle is why do I both types of trunk lights in my French market ,30 July 1969, 280SL car.
From what I have read I should have only the separate light with plunger switch on the edge of the trunk lid but I also have the clear panel in the rear light cluster which illuminates the trunk.  I have thought that maybe the light cluster has been changed in the past but not in the forty four years I have owned the car. Is it normal to have both forms of trunk lighting together ?
If anyone can shine a light (pun intended) on my puzzle I would appreciate it.

[ejboyd5]

Mercedes-Benz has a history of introducing production changes on a "rolling" basis and continuing to use older parts in stock until their supply is exhausted. I suggest nothing more sinister than your car having been manufactured during the changeover from one style lighting to the other.

[Pawel66]

Was it not an option during some period - this additional trunk light? Maybe it was there ordered for your car?

[Jonny B]

I believe the trunk light was an option on the early 230 SLs. It was standard on the 280 SL. The other change was that the light would only come on if the the headlights were on - the 250 SL was like this. Not sure where the change to the light being on whenever the trunk was opened occurred.

My 280 SL (US version) does not have the small clear panel on the rear light - it is a Sept 1969 build.

My 250 SL (early US version) does have the small clear panel.

[thomas wright]

Do any other members have both trunk lid and clear panel illumination together on their W113 model car.  I was thinking that in the eight years prior to owning the car that maybe it had some rear end damage and that light clusters were fitted off either a 230 or 250 which do have the clear panel.

[Pawel66]

Sorry for my ignorance, but I have never seen the tail lights with clear panel in the back to illuminate the trunk (other than in my 190SL . Can you post a picture?

[Tyler S]

This is actually pretty common. The clear plastic in the tail light bulb plate carried over from the 230 to the 280 until the tail lights were changed from all red. 280’s with Amber turn signals and illuminated side markers do not have the window.
My 250sl has both a trunk lamp switch with socket and the window in the tail light housing.

The French market cars used a different outboard lens with the same earlier housing so it would make sense the window would still exist.

[thomas wright]

Many thanks for your views and information and Tyler.S for the photos and explanation that it's not unusual to have both trunk lid and clear panel light cluster illumination together.

[WRe]

I believe the trunk light was an option on the early 230 SLs. ...

Hi,
there was an option code
- 224 from 01.05.1963 to 31.10.1965 TRUNK LIGHTING
...WRe

[mauro12]

Guys sorry , I have a question . My 250sl has the trunk light on the top of the lid but the light comes on only when the the knob of the light switch is on too .
Is this normal ? I guess not .

[Mike Hughes]

Yes, this normal.