1963 230SL original white wall width

[Audiophile]

I have a 230SL and am considering dressing it like the 1963 Geneva unveiling with the white walls.  I am trying to determine the white wall width and manufacture of the tires.  Second, given the "modern" styling of the W113 I wonder how this actually looks.  Opinions would be welcomed.

[mdsalemi]

I've looked through several books I have, Engelen's and others.  The early factory photos of the 113 prototypes showed them in "gangster" whitewalls; standard 3/4" whitewalls, and blackwalls.  So, it's anybody's guess.  I'm not certain what width showed up on the actual premier; I saw other premier photos with standard width WW.

There is one firm well noted for custom size white wall on any size or kind of tire.  There name is Diamond Back Classics.

http://www.widewhitewalltires.com/index.htm

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[nick350]

I had considered white band tyres too, in fact I was convinced that my car would only be complete once I had whitewalls, so I put white masking tape on my blackwalls and stood back and looked from every angle and in the end decided against it. It was an interesting and useful excersise.

Nick350
r107 SL red

this was on my 250sl by the way.

[Douglas]

While I like the idea of recreating the prototype, I've always preferred the look of a Pagoda without whitewalls. IMHO, whitewalls, esp. the widest styles, are a period detail that undermine its timeless design.

Nonetheless, the nice thing about your choice is it's a simple bolt-on. You could actualy keep two sets of wheels.

Just my two cents.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA