Skid Plate

[jeblack123]

Good morning all!

I have a 1968 Euro 280SL. There are four bolts underneath the forward section of the car that would seem to have secured a "skid plate" to protect the oil pain and radiator. I have called a couple of places and have been told that no such part exists. Does anyone know of this part and better yet have a picture and/or part number or info on where to purchase one? Thank you, in advance for any help.

Sincerely,


James Black

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, James,

Picture of engine skid plate attached. It hardly protects the rad! There should also be two longish studs welded to the sub-frame to attach the rear of the plate to.
There were such plates for the transmission and fuel tank but AFAIK, they are no longer available.
I was able to get the rubber mounting bushes though.

Naj

[jeblack123]

Thanks, Naj! Where were you able to find the bushings? I have a guy who will fabricate the plate based on your picture. Maybe, I'll have him make it a little larger to cover the bottom of the rad and oil cooler. Thanks again.

James

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, James,

The rubber buffers are available from MB.
See Pic for part #s

Naj

[twistedtree]

Wow, I never knew these existed.

[Jordan]

Yes, that is my question, were these on all models and all years?  I have a parts book and have never seen that page.

[twistedtree]

None of my cars have them, nor any I've looked at, so I would venture that it was an option.

[Naj ✝︎]

Yes, these were an optional order item for unpaved roads.
My car had them because it was originally produced for Kenya.
By the time I got it, only the engine plate was in place. The transmission and fuel tank plates had already been removed but some of the fixings are still on the car. The engine plate is also off the car at the moment. Too much extra weight to carry around if its not needed!

Naj

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, James,

Here's a more aerated design you may want to consider.

Naj

[jeblack123]

Thanks, Naj! I like that especially if its going to need to be fabricated. that design would probably have improved air flow as well as be somewhat light than the original design depending on the material used, correct?

James

[mbzse]

Just to add to Naj's nice Rally W113 picture: This is Glemser, driving in the Spa-Sofia-Liege rally, August of 1964
/Hans in Sweden

[GGR]

Interesting to note that they had firtted the US style front lights. Any idea on why ?

[Naj ✝︎]

Then and now!

[Bonnyboy]

I read somewhere that they put the "american" headlights on for ease of changing/fixing them when they got busted

[Raymond]

I'm particularly fond of the head gear he's wearing.  They just don't make helmets like that for modern rallies.

[GGR]

I'm particularly fond of the head gear he's wearing. 

Ha Ha ! Same here. I think that together with the sunglasses it was a way to protect his eyes from the sun light as fidddling with the panels may not be the best while rallying.