Author Topic: RED 280sl with HARDTOP ON looks GREAT!!! (Read 12742 times)

abe280SL · « **on:** January 02, 2009, 22:59:37 »

I remember reading something about this on this forum....softop vs hardtop. Well, now that its getting a little colder I waxed and cleaned the hardtop and on it went. I just love the visibility from inside....I can think of very few other cars with such great visibility...maybe old Volvos or 2002 bmws. The car also looks elegant. Wouldn't be great if we had a folding hartop just like they have on the new SLs? Well, off to enjoy my "new" car.
abe

thelews · « **Reply #1 on:** January 03, 2009, 00:37:39 »

Just offering a little "color" to the description

MichaelB. · « **Reply #2 on:** January 03, 2009, 00:50:38 »

I concur. I really like mine with the hardtop on as well. May leave it on well into the spring. I actually drove mine today and could not have been happier. I needed the influx of car goodness as it has been too long (and to think we have 3 more real months of winter here).

J. Huber · « **Reply #3 on:** January 03, 2009, 00:53:27 »

It is so true that our cars have 3 distinct looks and personalities ... As hard as it is to "rank" them -- I would probably vote top-off, hard-top, soft-top. I recently replaced the soft-top so it climbed a lot closer. But I am always impressed when the hard-top goes on -- the true Pagoda look comes out...

Enjoy it Abe. And when it comes off -- you'll fall in love with the no-top look all over again!

Witt · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2009, 20:41:59 »

........sometimes I do wonder why I bothered to install a new soft-top,even though it looks great !
Most of the time I drive with the top down in the summer. Come fall the hardtop goes on and it looks and feels (more solid) great. Come spring the hardtop comes of and the soft-top is reinstalled. Yes I remove the s/t completely during winter, it takes more of a beating being stowed away then erected. It takes only four bolts to remove / install and it stays nice and warm inside the house.

CHEERS !
WITT !

thelews · « **Reply #5 on:** January 05, 2009, 00:38:49 »

Quote from: Witt on January 04, 2009, 20:41:59

........ it takes more of a beating being stowed away then erected.

Not sure I agree, how does it take a beating being stowed away if you take care in lowering it and protecting it in the boot? This is a recent picture of one that's been stowed in it's boot, when required, for 34 years. I put it up in winter during storage.

DavidBrough · « **Reply #6 on:** January 05, 2009, 12:32:12 »

I must admit that I always remove my soft top in winter as well and leave it open in a spare bedroom. I've found this preferable to leaving it folded down for long periods as there is no creasing of the fabric or curling of the edges which always seems to be worse at colder temperatures. When these cars were new, UK MB dealers used to offer a winter soft top removal and storage service.

hkollan · « **Reply #7 on:** January 05, 2009, 12:54:40 »

Hi all,

This thread appeared at the right moment for me, since I've just finished taking the HT apart in order to restore it completely,
and felt the need for some positive thoughts regarding going through with this project. Your posts has convinced me that is
worth while doing this properly.
I've read about a full restoration of a HT being a rather extensive undertaking, but so far the task seems even bigger than I expected.
Half way through the dismantling process I decided to read the excellent Article by Gernold Nisius on the topic, to be found
the Technical manual. The article is slightly outdated when it comes to parts costs, just for fun I did a quick calculation of the parts still available
such as rubbers chrome moldings and glass etc. using SLS prices it roughly amounts to 8000 Euros.
Fortunately I got the parts out, that I will reuse without major damage, I decided to sacrifice the window rubber seals to
reduce the risk of breaking the glass though. The rear window is heated and colored, so breaking it would have been a setback.

I am curios if someone here has succeeded in removing the side quarter windows without destroying the rubber seal(or the window).
So far I believe was I was told that the only ways are, 1. breaking the glass, or 2. cutting out the rubber seals.

Considering all this, and the fact that these cars look and drive great with the HT on, I will appreciate it and probably put the HT on more
often than before, when I eventually finish the restoration of it.

Regards,

Hans

CraigD · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2009, 04:40:17 »

Hans,

I also prefer the look of the Pagoda with the hardtop on. Last August I completed the restoration of a 2nd hardtop for my car which I painted black to give me the option of a two-tone look. I love it.

I also cut all the seals to get the windows out, and ordered new ones from Gernold. If you search on "restored hardtop" you'll find the thread in which I pictured the results, and several others added good insights on the project. I've only done it once but let me know if I can provide any advice.

Garry · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2009, 05:22:03 »

Hi Hans,

Like Craig, I have just finished stripping my HT and had to destroy the rubber seals to get the glass out and purchased new ones from Buds Benz that are yet to go back in. I had the chrome re-plated and purchased a new liner and rear wood also from Buds Benz to be installed. Have just finished the repaint and about to start the re-fitting of glass and liner. Not rushing though as its summer here and am making the most of the sunny days!

The job has ended up much bigger than expected as there was some rust in the rear corners of the roof that required metal replacement. I also had the old paint bead blasted off that caused some heart ache as it appeared to have stretched the roof metal slightly and that required a lot of work to get right again and something that I would not recommend. Paint stripper would be much safer. I also used some sound deadening in the roof whilst still stripped awaiting the lining. Any one else here done that and if so did it make a difference?

Given we don't get really cold winters here in Oz it has potentially worked out an expensive exercise for a top that would spend most of its time in the HT stand.

hkollan · « **Reply #10 on:** January 06, 2009, 12:17:02 »

Hi Craig/Garry,

I revisited the thread you mentioned Craig. Great pictures and great result, black on silver looks very good.
I am also considering painting this one black. It seems to be a pretty common original HT color for the 462 beige metallic cars, and
is also a nice combination I think. It would also work nicely, with the Silver 280 that I plan to restore next.
Garry, I am aware of the risk involved in stripping paint by bead blasting painted sheet metal. I did get good practice when I did strip the car entirely to bare metal, using paint stripper, hot air and spatula as well as some sanding. Will do the same on the hardtop.
It seems I was fortunate that there where no serious rust, so as it looks now no metal patching will be needed.
Does anyone have any advice on the sealer/caulking to be used. It appears that originally it was generously applied during assembly of the HT at the factory.
I have found a non hardening sealer from 3M part #08568 Body Caulking, that looks and feels very much like what the factory used, even the color gray is very similar. Surprisingly most of the original stuff was still soft after all those years.

Regards,

Hans

J. Huber · « **Reply #11 on:** January 11, 2009, 04:44:58 »

So, a really nice winter day here in California today. I couldn't resist a drive -- and as much as taking the hard-top back off was tempting -- I decided to enjoy the Pagoda roof a bit longer. Afterall, its only January!

psmith · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2009, 05:00:53 »

Looks great James! I really like the two tone white with blue.

J. Huber · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2009, 19:48:00 »

Thanks Pete. I have always thought the two-tone Pagodas look really "groovy." Very sixties-ish.

And, since we have a good start -- I'd love to see anyone else sporting their hardtops! Let's see some more!

Mike Hughes · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2009, 21:04:17 »

Your wish is my command!

J. Huber · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2009, 21:09:58 »

Groovy! Thanks Mike. Love that combo...

MichaelB. · « **Reply #16 on:** January 12, 2009, 21:17:08 »

Quote from: J. Huber on January 12, 2009, 21:09:58

Groovy! Thanks Mike. Love that combo...

Here is the reverse scheme!

J. Huber · « **Reply #17 on:** January 12, 2009, 22:18:26 »

Nice! If any of you had doubts about restoring (or just dusting off) the hardtop, I think this thread will make up your mind...

And its only heavy for about 10 seconds.

Garry · « **Reply #18 on:** January 12, 2009, 22:44:39 »

I am currently restoring my hard top and have painted it Light Beige 181 to fit on my Green 291 280SL. Also have the hubcaps to match. Not quite finished the interior but will post photos when done. Anyone seen that two tone? I dont think it was a factory option!

Mike Hughes · « **Reply #19 on:** January 12, 2009, 23:13:21 »

I recall that your dark green SL has a fairly light tan interior. A 181 Light Beige hardtop should look great!

Garry · « **Reply #20 on:** January 13, 2009, 01:35:02 »

It is and I am hoping that it will go ok with it. I really like the two tone cars and the two examples in this thread look great.
Have not had the top on the car yet to see what it loks like.

psmith · « **Reply #21 on:** January 13, 2009, 05:11:56 »

I know I am biased, well we all are, but I think these are one of the few cars that look just as good with the hardtop or topless. They also look great in two tone, both light/dark and dark/light. Thank you Paul Bracq!

Mike Hughes · « **Reply #22 on:** January 13, 2009, 17:13:29 »

It'll go just fine. I have a light interior, too, but I've seen the 181 Light Beige hardtop in combination with the more common darker tan interiors on brown Pagodas and they still look good!

hauser · « **Reply #23 on:** January 13, 2009, 19:36:30 »

Mike, I like the Jaspe coco mats you have. I too considered them when I bought mine but decided on black and taupe.

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Author Topic: RED 280sl with HARDTOP ON looks GREAT!!! (Read 12742 times)

abe280SL

MichaelB.

Witt

DavidBrough

psmith

MichaelB.

psmith

hauser