Author Topic: Help with choosing top color?  (Read 5009 times)

lurtch

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Help with choosing top color?
« on: September 10, 2012, 16:35:41 »

Hello All,

Now that I am  nearing the last stages of my 230SL restoration, the time has come to select the color for the new cloth top.

The formerly  717 Papyrus car has now been repainted in 173 Anthracite Metallic.

The old middel blau M-B Tex has been replaced by Maroon leather.

The carpets are now dark gray square weave with black edging.

The question now becomes do I go with a black top, a maroon top, a grey top or a tan top?


The purists among you may question the correctness of my color coordination. However, there is ample evidence that these choices were available in the 1966 SL model offering, so I went with it because it was not common.  I think everybody will agree that this combination was much more popular in the w108's.

Regards, Larry in CA
Larry Hemstreet  in  N. Cal.

1966  230SL  (restored) Met. Anthracite w/ Maroon leather
1981  300TD-T (Concours condition, 86K, GETRAG 5sp.)
1982  300TD-T (parted out)
1986  560SEC (totaled)
1991  300TE (gifted)
1998  E320 (sold)
2004  E320 wagon (gifted)
2008  CLK550 Cabriolet

Jkalplus1

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Re: Help with choosing top color?
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2012, 16:42:44 »
I say Maroon for your top.  Not that the other colors aren't fine...I just find too many different colors would not best showcase the car's features.

Iconic

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Re: Help with choosing top color?
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2012, 17:25:02 »
In my opinion, I would not select Tan. I believe that would be out of place.
Black is not on your list.
For me, on my car, I would go with Dark Grey for the originality factor.
But, if grey was not available, I would strongly consider the Maroon.
It could be striking.
Black would be a more subtle look, but I believe the contrast would be nice.

Please post a picture when it is complete, no matter which color you choose.
I'd like to see it .... for selfish reasons.  ;D
By the way, 173 is non-Metalic Anthracite. You must mean 172, correct?
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold

thelews

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Re: Help with choosing top color?
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2012, 17:36:15 »
1st grey
2nd black
Enjoy some pictures at this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8292359@N06/sets/72157603240571101/show/

John - Wisconsin
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual #1543
1961 190 SL 23K miles
1964 Porsche 356
1970 Porsche 911E
1991 BMW 318is
1966 Jaguar XKE
1971 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750

dtuttle123

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Re: Help with choosing top color?
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2012, 00:28:55 »
Black!

ctm14

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Re: Help with choosing top color?
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2012, 01:04:53 »
I vote for black. I tend to think with the exception of a black/black car or navy/dark blue car that matching car color doesn't quite look right. The color is always off a bit and a strong contrast is always better than a mismatch. 

Just my two cents,car looks great,
Chris

bogeyman

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Re: Help with choosing top color?
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2012, 01:26:48 »
Hi Larry:

I looked at my original color list for 280SL - I don't have one for 230SL.
It shows your color of 172 with red leather would come with 741 dark grey soft top.
I don't think you will find a 741 color, so all other combinations listed with 172 body color list a black top as original.
My choice would be black as that would be the closest to original suggested color.

PS - Car looks great, love the colors.
Rick Bogart
1970 280SL Black(040)/Parchment
1969 280SL Silver(180)/Green
1993 500E
1972 350SL
1995 E320 Cabrio

jeblack123

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Re: Help with choosing top color?
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2012, 04:41:50 »
Grey or black. Great looking car.

James

hauser

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Re: Help with choosing top color?
« Reply #8 on: September 11, 2012, 05:25:56 »
Black

KevinC

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Re: Help with choosing top color?
« Reply #9 on: September 12, 2012, 00:15:53 »
Black.

Benz Dr.

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Re: Help with choosing top color?
« Reply #10 on: September 12, 2012, 02:51:16 »
If you can get the colour you want you can always have a top made.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC