1970 280sl steering wheel

[Randy Allee]

I inherited a 1970 280sl.  I have looked at pictures of other 1970 cars and the steering wheel has a chrome ring around the center.  Mine looks more like a 1979 steering wheel.  Can anyone tell be if mine is correct or not and if not where can I get an original Steering wheel for this year and model.  Did the steering wheels come in different colors.  My interior is Blue.

Randy Allee

[Douglas]

Randy,

The wheel on a 1970 280 SL is a black or ivory hard plastic wheel that's identical to the part on any number of MB sedans (W108, W114, etc. up to 1973).

A US-spec Pagoda would have a matte silver finish on the horn ring, whereas a Euro-spec wheel would have a bright chromed finish.

Go to ebay and have a look. You'll definitely find what you're looking for.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[George Davis]

If you mean the center of the wheel (the horn push), there is no chrome ring of any kind.  It was deleted in 1968, I believe, as part of a safety upgrade that did away with all sorts of shiny bits.

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

[CraigD]

George,
When you refer to the 1968 safety upgrade that resulted in changes to the cars, was this a Mercedes initiative that affected all cars, or was it a US effort that affected US cars more than others?

Craig

[Benz Dr.]

I have a complete wheel with horn ring and pad. It's used but looks pretty good. The horn pad is new.

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[Douglas]

quote:Originally posted by George Davis

If you mean the center of the wheel (the horn push), there is no chrome ring of any kind.  It was deleted in 1968, I believe, as part of a safety upgrade that did away with all sorts of shiny bits.

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

George,

Here's a previous thread that shows the difference between a US-spec wheel and a Euro-spec wheel:

http://sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=2530

(Incidentally, Craig's car is the Euro-spec car in the pix.)

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[George Davis]

Thanks all.  Here's where I screwed up: I believe the original question is about the center pad on top of the steering column, NOT the horn ring.  I realize now I confused the issue by saying "horn push".  I meant the center pad, not the horn ring.

I believe the chrome ring around the center pad on top of the steering column was deleted as part of the safety upgrades on all Pagodas.  Many of the safety upgrades were across the board for all Pagodas, while some were specifically for US models.  I'd have to consult Engelin's book to get all the details right, but I don't have it nearby right now.  Note in the pictures that Douglas' link goes to that neither car has a metal ring around the center pad.

George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by Randy Allee
.... Can anyone tell be if mine is correct or not and if not where can I get an original Steering wheel for this year and model.  Did the steering wheels come in different colors.  My interior is Blue. ...

Randy,
your 280SL needs a "Type III" steering wheel. Take a look at the pictures in this topic: http://sl113.com/forums/index.php?topic=6502
and you'll see which one you need. Most of them come either in all black (black wheel/black center pad) or all ivory/white. If Dan doesn't have the color that you favor then search on ebay,  they show up frequently.

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic