Author Topic: A very original 1969 280SL !! (Read 21928 times)

66andBlue · « **on:** March 21, 2011, 02:17:38 »

Perhaps some of you may have seen the photos already but Brian Peters posted lots of photos of a very original early 1969 280SL on his web site:
http://www.motoringinvestments.com/MainPage.htm
I wonder how many have ever seen a Metzeler hose, or who knew that the transmission cover plate had the body numbers stamped on it?
How about an original white wall tire with the curb lip?!

Take a look!

Richard Madison · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2011, 10:37:26 »

A letter from MB says that the 5 speed manual option was not available on a USA version car due to limited demand. I didn't know a 5 speed was not an option on US cars.

Was it only demand or was there a difference in the manual transmission's of USA and Euro version cars?

Richard M, NYC

Jonny B · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2011, 15:01:24 »

Most impressive, the car and the number of photos showing many of the details we have discussed many times on the forum.

49er · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2011, 16:25:28 »

I noticed the mention of one key fits all locks. My early '69 has three keys (ignition, gas cap/door, trunk/glovebox). Very nice car and also having an original, interesting to compare some of the details.

John

hkollan · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2011, 19:22:20 »

That's a really amazingly original and grat looking looking car.
I noticed this quote related to a recent discussion here about the paint color on the rocker panel covers.

Quote

The rockers and rocker panel covers from the
rear of the car. The rocker panels have a
rough texture chip guard and are
affixed with Philips head screws.
Factory correct specification is
always satin-gloss black

dtuttle123 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2011, 19:37:12 »

Hans - Nooooooo! I thought we put that rocker panel color thing to bed!!!!

71Beige280SL · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2011, 19:50:17 »

Look at that beautiful cognac leather!

badali · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2011, 19:55:54 »

It looks like MB tex. Are the pleated areas correct? I thought there was perforations in the pleats...

?

49er · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2011, 20:16:16 »

Quote from: dtuttle123 on March 21, 2011, 19:37:12

Hans - Nooooooo! I thought we put that rocker panel color thing to bed!!!!

I thought the same thing when I read that comment. My car is in the shop right now but I plan on putting together a photo documentation of it when I get her back and will use a Pantone color chart when I photograph the rocker panel.

John

49er · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2011, 20:30:15 »

Quote from: badali on March 21, 2011, 19:55:54

It looks like MB tex. Are the pleated areas correct? I thought there was perforations in the pleats...?

Not the best picture but the MB Tex should be perforated. Hard to tell if the $175K car those perforations but looks original.

John

hkollan · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2011, 21:24:01 »

Quote

Quote from: dtuttle123 on Today at 08:37:12 PM
Hans - Nooooooo! I thought we put that rocker panel color thing to bed!!!!

I thought the same thing when I read that comment. My car is in the shop right now but I plan on putting together a photo documentation of it when I get her back and will use a Pantone color chart when I photograph the rocker panel.

John

Sorry guys, but I couldn't resist it.

114015 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2011, 22:21:52 »

Hans, John, Doug and other originality aficionados,

Thanks that you are mentioning this topic again. I am myself confused about the rocker panel color now.

I think ... Alfred has to go to see the car for us and prove its rocker panel originality.

For the moment I believe John's color more.

First of all because I he is the first owner, second I believe him to be honest, third he does not want to sell and fourth his car has some minor chips in the dark grey rocker panels... a very good sign if you asked me.

I am keen to follow the progress here ...

Best,

Achim

49er · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2011, 22:37:45 »

Quote from: 114015 on March 21, 2011, 22:21:52

For the moment I believe John's color more.
First of all because I he is the first owner, second I believe him to be honest, third he does not want to sell and fourth his car has some minor chips in the dark grey rocker panels... a very good sign if you asked me.

I am keen to follow the progress here ...

Best,

Achim

Thanks Achim, You are correct on all four points, especially the "honest" part

John

thelews · « **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2011, 22:50:25 »

Quote from: dtuttle123 on March 21, 2011, 19:37:12

Hans - Nooooooo! I thought we put that rocker panel color thing to bed!!!!

I think it's repainted. Y'know, it's got 60K+ miles and is 40+ years old.

My vote is Tex, hard for leather to look that good 60K miles later and 40+ years.

114015 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2011, 23:25:43 »

Don't know about the rocker panel color. Maybe it is really re-painted.

We'll see.

The interior is clearly MB-Tex. Leather looks way different when (well) aged (much nicer IMHO). But especially: MB leather of our cars ALWAYS had the basket weave pattern in the pleated areas - as had the MB Tex on 230ies and 250ies (only more accentuated). MB-Tex in the 280ies had the pattern that John (49er) has - and many of the members here as well.

Attached is a picture of a passenger seat with factory Roser leather of a 64'000 miles original 280.

Achim

Iconic · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2011, 01:14:33 »

Quote from: 66andBlue on March 21, 2011, 02:17:38

I wonder how many have ever seen a Metzeler hose, or ....

1. Here is a picture of my Metzeler hose. When working on the WRD, I was going to replace it, then some dirt rubbed off and I noticed gold lettering. I cleaned it off and it reminded my of a picture in the manual (BBB or Haynes?). I couldn't bring myself to replace it. There is only air running through it. Not fuel, oil, or coolant.
2. I think the rockers shown in the link of the original post are DARK GREY.

Seriously, I do think they are dark grey.

66andBlue · « **Reply #16 on:** March 24, 2011, 01:50:20 »

Quote from: 114015 on March 21, 2011, 22:21:52

... Alfred has to go to see the car for us and prove its rocker panel originality.

OK, I follow orders and looked at the car today. The rocker panels are indeed more black than dark-gray, they have pretty much the color of the rubber/plastic caps over the jack holes. If you look closely at Brian's photo you will notice that he points out that there are a brush paint marks right under the door sill and below the panels. They are clearly visible on both sides at the front and at the back of the panels.
He believes that the installer at the factory used a brush with black paint to go over the panels and has stated this in the text with the photos. That is of course a matter of interpretation - it could have happened later, perhaps when the dealer prepped the car??
I have attached photos that I shot today with a flash.

Quote

It looks like MB tex. Are the pleated areas correct? I thought there was perforations in the pleats...Huh?

The seat covers are indeed MB-Tex and they are perforated. I was astonished how small the holes are, barely visible - see photo.

Another detail that I had not seen before are the protective rubber strips in the chrome trim along the door. The front edge of the strip on the door is slightly rounded off and not just cut diagonally as I have seen it on many cars. (3rd photo)

And then there was another puzzle. Engelen writes in his book that the taillights changed from red/red to amber/red after Vin # 7938. This car was finished in June 1969 (I know the VIN but since Brian did not mention it on his site I wont do it here either) so this car should not have red/red taillights ... but when one looks at the information in the international spare parts list (10202 Edition C) it shows (for the left light) p/n 113 820 01 64 replaced by 113 820 09 64 from VIN # 7938 til VIN # 10650, and that was replaced with 113 820 15 64 with an amber blinker light lens.
Added March 25: The USA spare parts list provides an even simpler explanation. The change over from red/red to amber/red taillights on US version cars happened with VIN 011041, and the list has no entry for the intermediate taillights (p/n 113 820 09 64) that were used on non-US cars as mentioned above.
So the red/red taillights are correct for this car but it would be the first mistake that I am aware of in Engelen's book.

pj · « **Reply #17 on:** March 26, 2011, 06:51:12 »

I like this thread... it's fun to poke at a $175k car.
I'm a newbie and the names of the parts are still rather confusing. So on my engine, I'm looking at the piece I'll call "Brad's Arrow" on top of the engine cover, and it looks like mine is metal, not just a bent hose. No clamp at all, it seems. Does that sound reasonable?
(oops, did this post end up in the wrong thread? How'd that happen? Can I move it myself?)

Naj ✝︎ · « **Reply #18 on:** March 26, 2011, 07:54:46 »

Hi, PJ,

Yes, for an early 230SL, its the correct arrangement. I thought they changed to Brad's type with the 250, but I must be mistaken.

Naj

jacovdw · « **Reply #19 on:** March 26, 2011, 08:49:58 »

The engine breather line on the valve cover changed from December 1965.

Before that a 2 piece metal line was used with a banjo fitting on the valve cover.

badali · « **Reply #20 on:** March 26, 2011, 11:16:30 »

How about an original white wall tire with the curb lip?!

Take a look!
[/quote]

Here is an original continental tire with a curb lip in my 4.5. Well used but I am keeping it any way.

Tom Colitt · « **Reply #21 on:** March 30, 2011, 18:53:05 »

I will confirm that without a doubt, the area just below the BLACK rocker panel covers was painted slightly sloppily with a brush, so as to give a more consistent look when the car is viewed from the side, down-low. This follows the same logic as blackening the area around the front radiator support and the air baffle plate behind the front Black grill vents and even the transverse frame member to which the front bumper mounts....
On very dark colored cars, this would have been less likely to have been done....

JamesL · « **Reply #22 on:** April 09, 2011, 20:53:52 »

As a matter of interest/my education...

The body number was stamped on the bonnet/hood and on the inside of the soft-top compartment lid (both on the left side of the car)

Was a number stamped on the boot/trunk lid?

bogeyman · « **Reply #23 on:** April 09, 2011, 22:26:41 »

Not as far as I know.
It was in four places - Hood (bonnet), soft top lid, hard top, and trans cover.

66andBlue · « **Reply #24 on:** April 10, 2011, 00:04:29 »

I am not sure if I remember correctly but on very very early 230SLs (like "114015"s #21) the number was also stamped on the trunk/boot lid.
Correct Achim??

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Author Topic: A very original 1969 280SL !! (Read 21928 times)

dtuttle123

jacovdw

Tom Colitt