"Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?

[relbhcb]

In Brian Long's book on the W113 SL he describes which paint colours were the "standard colours" by year. My November 1964 was (and still is) painted in Light Blue 334G, but this colour was not listed as a Standard colour in his book until much later. The Technical Manual on this website ( http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/PaintCodes ) suggests that 334 was available from 1963.

Would my 334G paint have been an Optional Extra, or perhaps a Special Order? Long does not mention the cost of non standard paint in his lists of optional extras.

TIA

[Jonny B]

 I just checked Engelen's book (Mercedes-Benz 190 SL - 280 SL, Vom Barock zur Pagode), and that has 334G listed as a standard color as of 9 Sep 1963.

[relbhcb]

Jonny - thank you SO much for that - you are most kind!

At the risk of asking too much, does it give any "suggested" suitable interior colours that go with 334G. I have a 117 (red 2500) MBTex interior - I do like it but it has always struck me as a slightly odd pairing ...

The Engelen book does sound excellent & I'd love to have a copy, but with it being in German the price is more than I can justify right now ...

[66andBlue]

Yes, there were standard color combinations - chassis paint, interior MB-Tex/leather, softtop - but to know exactly which one your car had you need to have the data card for your car. If you don't have it you can request it from MB. More here: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/DataCards
Under "17 Ausstattung" you'll see the code for the combination. My 230SL is painted in 334G and has code 119 for the color combination.
That code you can find here:
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/MBTex
I have not seen a red interior together with 334G, but it is possible since almost anything could be ordered for a price.

[relbhcb]

Hi Alfred. I do have the Data Card for my car, and the paint is 334(G) and the upholstery code in Box 17 is "117"; both colours are still on the car - I just wondered if this combo ever featured in the "recommended combinations"? (Unlikely, I agree, but one never knows!) 

[Garry]

Julian,

Mine too is the 334G but has a beige interior. Special order as a tourist delivery.

Do you have a photo of your interior, it would be interesting to see it in the red.

I have sen Alfreds and really like the white grey 119.

Garry

[relbhcb]

Hi Garry,

Not the best photo or lighting, but herewith a shot showing the inside and exterior.

[waqas]

Hi Julian,

I know that lighting makes a huge difference in how a photograph comes out, but there seems to be quite a difference between the paint color of yours and Garry's cars. Are you sure it hasn't been repainted since new?
I'd love to see more photos of your car, both in the current lighting and in bright sunlight.

My understanding is that MB's recommended color combinations generally paired darker exteriors with light interiors, and vice-versa.

[66andBlue]

Hi Waqas,
Julian's 334G looks just like mine: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=14408
But I agree with Julian that the red looks slightly odd next to the "hellblau", but still quite nice. I have seen it mostly paired with dark blue (904) or with silver.

[Garry]

That interior is very unusual with the 334G combinatoin.

Waqas, my photo is probably overexposed as it was taken inside a shed.

Here it is after just being repainted 334G but not rubbed back

[waqas]

Alfred and Garry, thanks for the photos. I'm really liking 334 the more I see it. I'm still not decided that I want to re-paint my pagoda in the original 268 color (dark green), especially since my 111 coupe is also 268.

The red interior is nice too, although I agree the combination with 334 is not quite right. I've seen the red interior in a black car, as well as midnight blue. I preferred the former. I think one of our members has a red interior in an anthracite car, and that looks decent. Probably the worst combination I ever saw was a green car with red interior!  

[Flyair]

the 63 vs 64 year confusion can also be linked with the fact that at least in Europe the cut off date for a car-year was August. Many if not all manufactures have been putting models for say the year 64 from August/September 63 and similarly every year after.