I've noticed two different types of knob on the dimmer control and on the speedo. One is rounder and flatter, and the other is more conical in shape.
Something tells me the conical shape is earlier, but does anyone know which models had which or what year they changed?
Hi David,
Please forgive me my ignorance ...
but that's a typical beginner's question again & again.
Well, we've had this discussion already earlier today regarding the passenger's sunvisor mirror ...
The most profound change on the W113 chassis is not so much the change of the engines from 230 to 250 and finally 280 ...
the most far-reaching change was made between early 250ies and late 250ies (together with all 230ies before and 280ies thereafter).
This change took place after 250 SL serial no. 113043-xy-002979.
All cars until then looked more or less like a 230 SL.
All 250ies from 113043-xy-002980 on and thereafter (including 280 SLs) looked more or less like a 280.
This includes steering wheel & column, instrument's padding, other rearview mirrors in and out and many more details.
From this VIN on also the US-delivery cars had more profound differences in contrast to Euro (or other worldwide) models than before: side marker lenses, flat chrome inside (mirror, horn ring, etc.), other (soft) door pockets and handles and so on and these differences increased with every built year (from 1967 to 1971)
We've had long debates here on the differences ... and even after years we find more and more details about this.
As to your speedo and light dimming knobs, ah yes, these changed with these both VIN numbers as well.
Achim