Does anyone besides me prefer US spec?

[n/a]

I actually prefer the US style round head lamps.  I also like the side marker lamps, and brace yourselves, the bumper over riders.

To me the Euro lamps look less like the classic Gullwings and 300SLs.  Without the side markers the Pagoda looks a little too plain on the sides.  

I think a lot of this comes from growing up in the US and when seeing Euro cars without these specs knowing they were gray market (less valuable).  Or maybe my eye has just gotten used to them.

Everything being equal (condition, equipment) are there others out there who would rather have their Pagoda "American style"?

Pete H.

[Douglas]

To each his own, Pete. I've owned both types and enjoyed them in different ways. In a perfect world, I personally think the closer we can get them to the way Bracq designed them, the more "pure" the design. Certainly those glass headlights were a radical design, even today.

I should also add that I don't think it's accurate to say a Euro-spec car is worth less than a US-spec car. "Gray market" is really a term that applies to cars from the 80s. You don't hear people referring to "gray market" Ferrari Daytonas.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[Chad]

I second that about the Grey markey issue Douglas. Cars of this vintage are relatively equivalent as far as registration and licensing issues go. Grey market reallt does apply to cars made within the past 25 years, more or less.

Just to throw my opinion in... the euro look is it.


1967 230SL (Manual, rustless driver)

[J. Huber]

I gotta go against ya on this one, Pete.

It's fun to have a little old German car -- and having things like instruments in kilometers & celcius, and the single-piece euro lamps reminds me of that everyday.



James
63 230SL

[n/a]

Hey guys.  When I said Euro gray market cars are worth less than US spec I meant European cars in general, not Euro spec Pagodas.  That was certainly the case out here in So. Cal. during the 70s.  Seems like most of you prefer the look of Euro spec Pagodas and actually convert over to those head lmaps etc. during restorations hence the Q.

[TheEngineer]

My li'l ol' red car is US spec (with Hella quartz lights) I like it very much that way. The side lights are cool and I like the big orange turn signal lights in the front. Drivers can really see them. I did install Bosch fog lights down low and hooked up the "Lichthupe". If I had a Euro Spec car, I'd convert it to US Specs and if I'd had such a car in Europe, I'd still prefer US specs with the speedo reading both MPH and Km/h. The Pagoda with US specs has really class, much more so than with those ugly euro headlights where the acrylic lens cracks and without bumper guards. But I like the Euro cam: The higher lift and longer valve opening makes a whole new beast out of what used to be a pretty tame car.

'69 280SL,Signal Red,113044-12-007537,tired engineer, West-Seattle,WA

[Raymond]

I like the American round headlights better as well.  It may be because that is what I always saw when I was a kid and vowed to own someday.  (Kind of like imprinting on a baby duck.)  When I see a pagoda with those long smooth Euro lights, and no bumper guards, it just looks like she's feeling sad.  Still pretty but sad.

I like the small amber turn signals and fog lights, so that is one reason I went for a '68.  I like the bumper guards too. Mostly because I park the car in public lots and don't trust mini-van drivers to stay in their spaces.  And, somehow to me, they look like they belong there.  

I did remove the side markers when I re-painted.  Those always seemed to just hang in space.

The color and style diversity keeps things interesting.  Whichever you prefer, don't let the style nazis tell you their choice is better than yours.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[Sam SL]

I agree with you, I like the late model full on US spec cars for its headlights, side markers, bumper over riders and headrests.  The only thing I would delete would be whitewall tires..... yuck!  In the 90's I had a US spec Pagoda and converted the headlights to European.  At the time I liked it a lot.  Now, I prefer the full stock look.  

Sam

Sam