Help needed on body dimensions

[star63]

Help needed!

Since my SL has apparently been rebuilt several times I can’t trust any of the body dimensions anymore.

Does anyone know:

1. What is the distance between the left and right rear fenders? Measured from the rear most tip of the wheel arc (the measuring tape going across under the gas tank)

2. What is the angle of the windshield frame (A-pillar) from vertical? Is it exactly the same as the side window’s front edge angle? (In my car, the gap between the A-pillar and the glass is widening upwards, measured w/o the seal)

Any help would be highly appreciated.

- Petri

[66andBlue]

Petri,
some dimensions that you need are listed in the dimensions drawing posted here: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/ChassisBody/Chassis

[69280sl]

A MB drawing I have shows the dimension across the fender flares to be 1760mm. It appears front and rear are the same.

Gus

[star63]

Thank you, Alfred and Gus.

I still couldn't find an answer to either one of my questions...

[Shvegel]

You need to make sure the glass lines up with the hardtop before judging the windshield pillar. The glass might be down in the back due to poor adjustment.

[69280sl]

Thank you, Alfred and Gus.

I still couldn't find an answer to either one of my questions...

I thought I answered question 1.

Gus

[66andBlue]

... Measured from the rear most tip of the wheel arc (the measuring tape going across under the gas tank)  .... 

Since this is a very individual way of measuring that might be difficult to replicate by others  I thought that you might be interested in knowing the actual chassis dimensions as specified by Mercedes and shown in the link that I provided earlier. Use those as a basis and build up from there.

[star63]

I'm asking these strange measurements because my SL has been heavily welded. The rear wheel compartments are not original and I wanted to know how the fender arch is supposed to curve behind the rear wheel. The dimension across the fender flares in my car is 1745 mm (instead the correct 1760 mm). The dimension I was originally after is this:

When measured from the photo, the distance seems to be something like 1370 mm. In my car it is now 1350 mm.

What comes to the windshield pillar, the idea of using the hard top to determine the correct dimensions sounds excellent. My car didn't come with the hard top but I'll try to borrow one.

Thanks,
- Petri

[star63]

Now, it seems that in order to get the trunk floor side pieces fit I should widen the bottom part of the rear fenders (which now seem to curve too much inwards). To match the shape of the trunk floor side piece that goes against the fender I should widen the rear fenders by 5 cm on each side. This sounds a lot to me and would mean that the distance indicated in my previous post should be 1450 mm instead of 1350 mm (corner to corner).

I really would appreciate if someone could measure the correct distance. It's easy to measure when the car is lifted up. I will be welding the trunk floor in place this coming weekend and would like to do it right...

Thanks,
Petri

[49er]

Using your photo as reference,  I just measured the distance (marked by the red arrow on your photo, blue arrow on my attached photo) on my car and it come out to 54" or 1372 mm. Looks like my car needs a bath

John

[star63]

Thank you very much, John!

You have saved me from a lot of guesswork. 

It seems that the shape of my aftermarket body panels is not 100% correct...

[pagoden]

Petri,

I'm writing to inform you that we are all shocked -- shocked I tell you -- to hear your 'aftermarket body panels are not 100% correct'.    ;o)
If you can you tell us who made or supplied them, we will better know who to avoid.
And someday, when you are making suspension improvements to accomodate the Finnish driving style and skill level, please share them with us as well.
Admiration and best wishes to you with your project.

Denny

[DaveB]

1370mm on mine also.

[star63]

Dave, thanks for the confirmation.

Denny, maybe -- just maybe it's me rather than the body panels

The curved shape of the quarter panel and the edge of the trunk floor side piece seem to be difficult to get perfectly fit together. (At least for me)

Petri