250 or 280?

[ctm14]

Just when I thought I understood the small differnces between the 230/250/280 models.  Check out the ebay link below to a 68' 250.  It sure is a pretty car but I am wondering if it is actually a 250 as advertised. 

-The door pockets are not rigid
-The lock and release door hardware are not the round chrome type
-The rearview mirror is not chrome
-The steering wheel looks more like a 280
-Side view mirrors are not gooseneck
- what do you spot??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-Mercedes-Benz-250-SL-Roadster-Pagoda-CA-Car-/250630812270?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3a5ac2b26e



I am also wondering if the color combo is original as stated.  If the interior was originally blue why are the dash and door armrests black?  Perhaps there is an explanation so I pose the question to the group. 

[jameshoward]

230.
 

[Naj ✝︎]

There was a big change after VIN # 002789 (?) This one is 005xxx one of the very late 250 SLs.
Earlier cars had the 230 SL door hardware/mirrors etc.
Later cars are more 280 like in these details except for the engine which is M129
This rad on this car does not have the oil (to air) oil cooler which I believe only the 280s have.

Seems genuine - but don't know about the arm rests.

naj

[w113dude]

It's a much later 250, with the exception of door pockets every thing else checks.

[thelews]

Nothing inconsistent with the changes to the later 250...

http://www.silverstarrestorations.com/113SL.htm

Mine is an early.  That's why they're coveted, all the cosmetics of the 230, but the later mechanicals of the 280.

[Jordan]

The colour combination is the same as my car but I have a vinyl interior rather than leather.  Was going to go leather but decided to stay original.   Anyway, my dash and arm rests are blue, not black.

[scoot]

Mine is an early.  That's why they're coveted, all the cosmetics of the 230, but the later mechanicals of the 280.

Exactly.  The best of both worlds.  Early 250s rule!!!   :-)

[JamesL]

an awful lot of 15foot pictures in that ad

My car looks good at that distance

[star63]

:=)

[al_lieffring]

Here are a couple of my observations. First the data card shows light blue (tex) interior, not blue leather. The seams in the door pannel are heat bonded like TEX cars, the seams were sewn on leather door pannels. The seats have been recovered in leather.
Dash boards on Mercedes (all models) with blue vinyl were proned to cracking especially around the speaker opening, these parts were most likely replaced with black parts from a wrecked car? recovered in black? or repaired and redyed balck?

[ctm14]

Thanks Everyone,

  I surely have much to learn.  The knowledge in this group always amazes me.

CTM