Under Dash Panels

[n/a]

Dear Group:

I just ordered from Bud's Benz the three (left, center, right) under dash panels for my 1964 230SL.  Bud's advised that the panels are made of cardboard with a black textured finish on the side facing the driver and passenger.  They said I should paint them to match my interior color (which is tan) or cover them in matching leather.
Is this right?  How did the panels come stock from the factory?  Does anyone still have their original panels?  Most of the photos in old magazines or books are black and white so it is hard to tell.

Thanks,
- Richard - Chicago, Illinois
  1964 USA 230SL

[J. Huber]

Hi Richard. I cannot speak for those with tan trim but my original panels were a grey blue with some texture (my interior is blue). I would think recovering or painting the black ones would be overkill, as having them dark under there blends in fine.

James
63 230SL

[JamesL]

Mine are a soft hardboard (not cardboard) and are textured as described

Black and in need of replacing

[hauser]

I'm not really sure what color these should be but I'd have to agree with James.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[Vince Canepa]

Mine are dark gray cardboard (Caviar MB-TEX interior) and have a very light texture (similar to that in the M-B TEX - which is the early style in my car).  There is foam about 3/8" thick glued to the back.  There is a hole about 3" in diameter in the outboard, rear corner of the passenger's footwell cover.  I know for certain that they came on the car new.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[Ricardo]

Ditto to what Vince say's, except mine are tan colored and my interior is Cognac...they aren't painted, they came that way....
Richard
'67 250 SL
113 043 10 001854
834G Moss Green metallic
213 Cognac leather