250SL - true convertible or California Coupé?

[n/a]

Hi from Amsterdam;
is there a way to find out whether a 250SL was produced as a convertible or as California coupé (without soft-top, then)?

The VIN ends with 3935.

Any help welcome!

Thanks,
Stefan

[Douglas]

It's extremely difficult to convert a Coupe to make it look exactly like a Roadster. The conversions I've seen are "approximaions," at best.

If it looks like a real Roadster and everything lines up properly, it probably is.

Alternatively, you could ask if there's a datacard. The code for a Coupe is 417.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[n/a]

Thanks, Douglas,

I asked for a data card from Mercedes-Benz, Stuttgart. Let's see what is in. I've seen old pictures of this car with German license plates on and I wonder whether coupés were ever delivered in Germany. I always thought this was a typical US-specification.

Greetings back, have a nice week,

Stefan!

[Douglas]

The Coupe version was definitely available in Germany.

In any event, please report back to us on what you find out about your particular car. I would like to see a nicely done conversion, if that is what you have.

By the way, do you have a backseat, a transverse seat, or the carpeted rear shelf?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[rwmastel]

Please be careful of your terminology.

Coupe - Regular W113 with an empty soft top well.
California Coupe - W113 with soft top well removed and rear bench seat added in place.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420