Trunk Details

[john.mancini]

Now that I have the old girl back from her vacation, I wanted to share some photos of the trunk, including the spare and the location of the tools. To our W113 experts out there, please let me know if this looks correct. The rubber trunk mats and the trunk tag hanging from the left trunk hinge are original to the car and in great shape. The wheel chock, jack/handle, lug wrench and wheel alignment tool all seem to fit into the trunk factory floor brackets. Does this look correct? Hopefully the pictures are readable. Thanks to everyone.

[Jonny B]

The tire pressure gauge in the tool kit would not be there from the factory, but that is a good item to carry along in any case. I don't think the hex head wrench was in the original tool kit either, but again, a very helpful tool for maintenance as it fits the diff drain/fill, the manual tranny drain/fill, and the "inny" oil pan bolt. I do keep that in my tool kit.

Car trunk looks good.

[john.mancini]

Thanks Johnny B. Yes, the tool kit has some "Extras". I've been away from the forum for a while. Good to get back and have a car to discuss.

[rwmastel]

Should the spare wheel mount surface be silver?  Is that painted, or bare metal?  It's been sooooo long since I've had my spare off that I don't remember what mine looks like.

[john.mancini]

It's the same finish as the trunk, "blackish". I think the photo makes it look silver.

[lreppond]

I’d say this trunk looks to be in great shape and VERY complete!  Toolkit has everything original plus extras as pointed out.  Jack is correct for your year. Decals proper and in  correct area.  The only thing not shown from the angle of your photos is the wheel centering device.  It should be mounted below the trunk lock in a dedicated bracket. 

[Mike Hughes]

Isn't that the wheel centering device in its bracket between the jack and the lug wrench?

[BobH]

Hello John, sorry to go off piste here, but you must have driven more Pagoda's than most people, other than perhaps repairers.  I always wonder how differently these cars drive, and most of us probably don't get the opportunity to drive other Pagoda's to compare them, i've only driven my 230 and one 280, both automatics.  Have you found much difference between the cars you've owned, i would guess even if they are set up correctly, they all behave differently, do you have a preference between the different engines, manual and auto's?

Many thanks

[john.mancini]

Hi Bob,
I do prefer manual transmissions, but that's just my opinion. I've been lucky enough to have owned some very nice Pagodas. I've got the car hobby bug, and so does my oldest son and his son! There are a couple I wish I had never let go. My favorite was a factory black, 69 4-speed ordered with cognac leather. it was stunning. I sold it to Alex Dearborn many years ago and he thought, at that time, that I was crazy to sell it. I wish I had listened to Alex. I have never owned a 250SL, so I can only compare 230's and 280's. Honestly, I can not tell the difference in performance between those engines. A 230SL, to me, has the same pep as a 280SL, (both manuals). The automatics that I've owned also seem very similar to each other. I like the simplicity of the earlier cars. But again, that's just my opinion.
Thanks Bob

[BobH]

Hello John, that's very interesting, i too prefer the early cars, but i've never had the opportunity to drive a manual

It's great that your family have inherited the collecting passion, long may it continue, you've still got a few more colours to get before you've had the full set

I wish you years more happy motoring

Take care

[AdelaidePagoda]

John and Bob,

Thanks for asking and answering  this question as I have also found that the difference in driving between the 230/250/280 is infinitesimal. In fact I found the 230 4 speed a more spirited drive than the 280 auto. I fully appreciate that this is not everyone’s opinion, nor will it sway people from desiring and paying more for the later models, so it was with interest I read your comments John.

Has anyone else had a similar experience, or even the opposite experience?

Perhaps we should not say too much in case it drives up 230 4 speed prices!

[fd-li]

Looks very clean.

Not sure the blue sticker is original. Think only later cars post pagoda hat that one.

The other thing many cars miss in the trunk and which isnt easy to source is the black felt piece fixed to the trunk lid. Unfortunately we cannot see it on the pictures.

[AdelaidePagoda]

The blue sticker is on the left hand side of the trunk on my car. Which side is correct?

[BobH]

The blue sticker is on the left hand side of the trunk on my car. Which side is correct?

Hello Dave, the subject of decals has been discussed many times and i suspect no definitive conclusion will ever be reached

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=32875.msg239490#msg239490

My January 1965 RHD UK registered car also has the blue sticker on the LHS of the boot (trunk) lip, it looks old, but i have no idea if it's original.  Having said that, i don't have many decals, so it's not like a previous owner bought a set and stuck them everywhere

[AdelaidePagoda]

Thanks Bob, I have now read the forums. I suspect unless we find someone who worked on the production line, specifically in the trunk area, or we find master plans from the factory, this will forever remain a mystery.

As Pawel states, this is part of the charm of these cars, that there is mystery and heterogeneity behind some of Mercedes decisions.

[john.mancini]

Yes, the black foam piece is at the x-support on the inside of the trunk lid, along with the original tire pressure sticker. You can also see the runs in the paint on the underside of the trunk lid. All signs of originality. Even the wheel alignment tool tag is original, not a repro. The blue sticker? I very much doubt that it is original. I also don't know if those blue sticker locations depend on whether the car is LH or RH drive. Who knows? The attached picture that shows the foam piece has some red reflections from the exterior paint. There is no red paint in the trunk.