How many 230SL's have the sideways back seat like mine?

[Koolmarca]

I purchased my car in Germany when I was stationed there in 1982 - I know I am the third owner of the car.  It is officially a 1965 230SL - it has the built in rag top and the removeable hard top.  It also has a sideways back seat behind the passenger seat.  I was told when I purchased the car that it was custom built for the first owner.  I have never seen another SL with the sideways back seat.  Can anyone tell me how many were actually built?  Is it a desirable feature?  Where can I get confirmation of the car original build sheets?

thanks.

[Richard Madison]

The Kinder Seat was a factory option for these cars.  It was coded as Option 565 on the data card.

Not sure if exact numbers exist...my rough guess based on observation is that maybe 5 in a hundred cars have the option.

It is possible to retrofit a Kinder seat on any car...it is more difficult to find (or make) the floor pieces that create the foot well in front of the seat.

Richard M, NYC

[MichaelB.]

I have it in mine!

[JamesL]

me too

[peterm]

Gernold had been contracted by my cars previous owner to build one but he never pulled the trigger.  I think gernold made it not sure if he still has it as it was a few years ago.  If anyone is looking you might try him at sl tech up in Maine

[Rolland]

I've got one.

[al_lieffring]

My 230 has the sideways "kinderseat"

[Ulf]

Mine hasn't, but I wish it had - any learnings on alternative, like fitting a forward-facing child seat with belts behind the seats in the middle?

[douglas dees]

I purchased my car in Germany when I was stationed there in 1982 - I know I am the third owner of the car.  It is officially a 1965 230SL - it has the built in rag top and the removeable hard top.  It also has a sideways back seat behind the passenger seat.  I was told when I purchased the car that it was custom built for the first owner.  I have never seen another SL with the sideways back seat.  Can anyone tell me how many were actually built?  Is it a desirable feature?  Where can I get confirmation of the car original build sheets?

thanks.

Most of SL's that I have seen with kinder sets are European versions. My 280Sl is Italian but had the seat removed and the platform lids installed in California. I bought  a seat on e bay and had it recovered in black leather to match the interior but had the bottom portion rolled and pleated like the front seats. It looks cool but has no seatbelt. I did it for my grand daughter but she is only one year old. My wife just shakes her head.
My friend in Arizona had a German SL with a kinder seat and my son used to ride around in the back but I am sure it is now illegal.
It is a great option   Have fun with it. You can put your teddy bear in the back like I do.
Doug Dees
Toronto

[Richard Madison]

Kinder seat passenger in my previous car...a 1971 USA version car.

Richard M, NYC

[gimp]

Mine is also a European model and has the kinder seat.
It came in handy on many occasions.

[Shvegel]

I showed my wife a picture of one in use where the child's head was right up against the chrome molding and said I wanted to put our daughter in one. She said no way. 

On a serious note it probably isn't a great idea to actually use the kinder seat for small children. There are a lot of advancements made since then in the area of child safety.  I am not the most cautious person by any measure but after seeing how the windshield frame flattens in a rollover and how the aluminum doors have no safety bars built in to them I think it is best to transport the little ones in a safer car.

[john.mancini]

I've had a few with kinderseats. They're very common. It's amazing to think, that not that long ago, safety regulations were so weak. Imagine building seats like that today! However, kinderseats are excellent for mothers-in law. Put them in, then drive really fast around corners. They fall out every time.

[knockmacool]

kinderseats are excellent for mothers-in law. Put them in, then drive really fast around corners. They fall out every time.

maybe we should call them wunder-seats 

[thomkins]

my 230 has one. It was always referred to as mother in law seat, now i see it referred to as child seat. Times change.!

[Eryck]

My Hong Kong delivered car has the kinder seat option.