Can I install/convert a softop into a roadster?

[n/a]

I recently bought a '69 280SL roadster (no soft top)and plan to do a total restoration work on it. Since this is the first time I would own a car like this, I am not very familiar with all the details, I am still making my research before I embark on the restoration work. My biggest concern is that I would just like to make the roadster into a coupe (meaning, add a soft top). Can anyone suggest what I should do and if it is possible.

[Raymond]

English can be tricky, but a Roadster has only a soft top.  If your car has a fold down rear bench seat, it is a Coupe like mine.  Mercedes sold the Roadsters with removable hardtops as Roadster/Coupes.  

If your car is a true Coupe, it is not economically practical to convert it to a roadster.  It would involve cutting the sotftop tub out of a Roadster and cutting the Coupe body to accept it.  Then welding the tub into place and doing all of the finishing work.

There are some folks in Germany who have added a soft top to the outside of the Coupe, but it still involves cutting and welding and it doesn't fold down into a tub with a cover like the true Roadsters.  The car still looks good with the Pagoda hardtop that gives the car it's nickname.  I am quite happy with mine, and here in Florida, there are plenty of days to go out and about topless.  In fact, I'm going to go do that right now.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[Douglas]

Dango,

Raymond is absolutely correct. Technically, you have a Coupe, but you want to convert it into a Roadster.

It's expensive, but it's certainly possible. Talk to Gernold at www.SLTechW113.com. He can tell you more about how it's done.