w113 detectives, please help identify my car. 1971 280SL?

[Richard Madison]

Common use for a switch in the center console was for a rear fog light or a heated rear window. If the hard top rear window was heated, there will be an electric cord on the inside right of the HT to connect to a plug coming up along the right side of the package bench wall.

Richard M, NYC

[Douglas]

Nothing is glaringly wrong on this car. I'm pretty sure it has an original full leather interior (nice!), original European Becker radio (LMKU), aftermarket a/c and the optional jump seat (leather here, too). I'd invest in some Leatherique to dress that old leather as soon as possible. Don't want it to dry out and crack.

According to the option codes, the "automatic" plate on the rear deck was the standard. To delete it, you needed to specify option 254 when ordering.

Looking forward to seeing more pix.

[rad-man]

What would be a typical reason for swapping out the motor?

Overall it's in great shape, but it runs like hell when the engine warms up - I've been reading up on that issue in some other threads.

The radio was working fine up until a few months ago. It seems like the fuse is blown, but I cant find which one it runs off of.
and finally, the windshield wipers dont work. I had to pay a little extra to get an inspection sticker

[rad-man]

[Iconic]

I'm pretty sure your left front side marker light is mounted higher than my US version car.
If true, that would be one more indicator that they were added to a non US model.
(I debated not posting this because I didn't want it to sound like I am insulting your car. I'm not. I believe these details are what makes these cars interesting. You are clearly interested in the history of the car, so hopefully you don't have a problem with my comment, and after all, I could be wrong.)

Was a fantastic car. Great interior.
Enjoy the ride and the memories of your childhood and father.
Did I miss the post or do you not have the engine number yet?
Don't assume the motor has been switched out. You'll know once you check the number against the data card.
I've had many positive surprises along the way (a whole year at this point    ), and a few sad ones.    (wrong grille washers, can you believe that )
As far as it running bad after it warms up, you should describe that in more detail.
Also, this site is FILLED with valuable information !!!

[al_lieffring]

The Radio fuse box is under the hood next to the right shock tower.  It's a brown plastic box with wires coming in from the sides and a thump screw holding the lid on. Clean off the contacts of the fuse and losten and re-tighten the clamping scews for the wires and your radio will start working again.

[Douglas]

That is the nicest original cognac leather interior I've ever seen. Congrats! Preserve that sucker and invest in some Leatherique ASAP!

[rad-man]

The Radio fuse box is under the hood next to the right shock tower.  It's a brown plastic box with wires coming in from the sides and a thump screw holding the lid on. Clean off the contacts of the fuse and losten and re-tighten the clamping scews for the wires and your radio will start working again.

Thank you!!

[hkollan]

Douglas,

Although the interior looks pretty nice, I'm quite certain that it's not factory original cognac (rotpunkt/red dots) leather.
Cognac leather in a close to 40 year old convertible in close to perfect condition would be almost unheard of.(no cracks and no red dots worn off)
A couple of observations, first the color of the dots are too dark and brown(that could be due to picture quality). The headrests are missing the side holes for the hex adjustment screws, so they are obviously later made and seem to match the seat leather in terms of dot pattern and colors.
In addition the seat cushion covers do not have the correct number of "sections" (for lack of a better name).
Still looks good though, but hardly factory original. My guess is that if one looks closely and  compare the leather on the doorpanels(they almost never gets replaced unless it's part of a full restoration) and the leather used in the seats the difference will be quite obvious.

Hans

[Douglas]

Although the interior looks pretty nice, I'm quite certain that it's not factory original cognac (rotpunkt/red dots) leather.
In addition the seat cushion covers do not have the correct number of "sections" (for lack of a better name).

Hans

Good eye, Hans. Of course, you're correct. The original seats have 4 of the perforated vertical "ribs" and this car has 5 running through the midsection of the seat covering.