Wheel color - match body or hard top color?

[rjmarco]

I have a 1965 230 SL.  It is painted white on the body and hard top.  My plan is to repaint the hard top in the original no. 332 dark blue per the data card.  I know that the small hub caps are supposed to be painted with the same color as the hard top.  What about the wheels themselves?  Are they supposed to match the body color which is white or should they match the hard top which will be dark blue?

Have seen some conflicting info.  Old photos suggest that the wheels should match the body color. 

FYI, I have the hub cap and beauty ring combo.  Any help or advice would be appreciated. 

Regards,

Rich

[w113dude]

Most of the wheels that I have seen were same color as the hubcaps and the roof and assuming correct.

[Jordan]

As you will get conflicting information even here hopefully one of the guru's will step in.  I believe the hub cap should be hard top colour and wheels are body colour. 

[ctaylor738]

Concur with Jordan.

[66andBlue]

Ditto.

[rjmarco]

Thanks to all for the comments.  More welcome. 

I have found photos on the internet showing the wheels both ways.  Please see the attached. 

I find the one with the wheels painted in the dark color a good match with the white walls which my car will have.

Regards,

Rich

[rjmarco]

Here's a photo with the other combination. 

[Flyair]

For the risk of being called cheap-minded, let's be practical (if possible in the case of vintage ownership ): if you go with the solution shown in the last post, you will save a lot of money and trouble, as white wheels would spare you the need to buy white wall tires, that are usually more expensive and hard to get

[gerster]

Here you can see the real thing.

Greetings: Ger.

[rjmarco]

Great photo of the production line!  Thanks much.

Rich

[KevinC]

Answering the orginal question, with two-color vehicles, I tend to agree that the color of the steel wheels were always the same color as the body of the car, only the hubcaps themselves matched the top.

Now for an interesting question....we have all seen ads and brochures from MB for pagodas from "back in the day". Has anyone seen a marketing piece that includes a car with different colors on the body and hard top? Every piece I have shows body and top as the same color. 

[rjmarco]

Hi, Kevin.

Thanks for the reply.  Seems the consensus is that the wheels should match the body color.  Here's an old MBZ ad that speaks to this point.  Now in modern times, I haven't seen any two tones.  I'm converting my car back to a two tone with white walls purely for the nostalgic look of that period and to match the original data card. 

Regards,

Rich

[Jordan]

Rich, what colour code white is your car?  My Pagoda is white (717) with a dark blue (332) hard top.  I was looking for some pictures but most I have are with the top off.  It' on now so if I get a chance I'll take a picture.  My interior is also blue (MBTex).

[rjmarco]

Hi, Jordan.

My car is presently all white.  The data card says that it was made trim no. 220.  It originally came with the 717 papyrus white body, the 332 dark blue hardtop, and the 896 marine blue soft top.  The car was repainted by the prior owner so I can't tell whether it was done in 717 or not.  I suspect that it may have been redone in the 050 white by looking at it but really not sure.  The car came with leather and I've had it replaced recently. 

Would enjoy seeing a photo of your car.  He's one of mine as it sits in the custom shop. 

Rich

[Jordan]

Rich, here is a picture which shows the wheels as you requested.  Hard to see the hard top colour however.  You will find that 717 white is actually whiter than 050 white.  I see you have an ivory steering wheel.  That is on my wish list at some point.  You'll have to post some pictures of your interior.

[rjmarco]

Beautiful, Jordan.  This is the look I'm seeking!

I had thought the 717 was darker, so maybe that's what I have after all. 

Once I get my car back from the custom shop, I'll send you photos.  It will have new seats and carpet by then.  Will also have a disguised stereo system that is separate from the Becker Europa radio.

Thanks so much!!

Rich

[pj]

Hi guys,
here's Marcus's 717 white next to my 050 white, in bright sunshine.

[rjmarco]

Great comparison shot.  My car surely looks like the 717.  Solves a big question for me. 

Thanks much for sharing. 

Regards,

Rich

[W113SL]

DB717 is a slight variation on white. The color a very slight blue tint to it.  It is clearly different than a DB050 white.

Open your glove box door ton see an undamaged  and un-faded example of the color

W113SL

[rjmarco]

Great suggestion!  Thanks,

Rich

[Brian in NL]

Jordan, your car and mine look like twins!  See my pic below.

Rich, I had the same question when I got my car repainted a few years ago. My conclusion was most all W113s have wheels painted the body color, but now and then you'll find one painted the top color. Hubcaps usually match the top. And it is true that some of the early MB press photos (like the one you posted along the water) show the wheel-top match.

In my case, I have a 1967 230SL in white (050) with a black top, but it had white hubcaps and wheels. My data card shows it have a white top.  The car has been in my family since 1970, so we figure the first owner had the top repainted black, but the hubcaps remained white. In the end, I liked the look of the black hubcaps and a black top, so I went with that ... data card be damned!

My suggestion: Do what you think looks best.

Brian

[Brian in NL]

Here's a 230SL at the Mercedes Museum that appears to have wheels painted to match the top ... in a rather unusual color combo and the extra chrome options.

Brian

[rjmarco]

Hi, Brian.

Thanks for sharing your photo with me.  I hope mine gets to look just as nice when I'm all done.  Will share photos. 

Appreciate the thoughts on the two wheel color options. 

Regards,

Rich

[66andBlue]

Although wheel color = hardtop color one the car,  please, please do NOT use the car in the Mercedes Museum to prove anything, it is a "dog" when it comes to originality, as Hans in Sweden and others here have mentioned many times!  
See: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=17761.msg123940#msg123940
We should just ignore this "dog"!

[Brian in NL]

66, thanks for the link to the other discussion. I knew the wheel well chrome was not original, but was unaware of the other originality "violations."  javascript:void(0);' Ive only recently jumped back into the Forum and hadn't seen those posts.  It is surprising that the MB Museum would put a car like that on display, particularly with such an interior. There are a few obvious transgressions in there as well!

This brings up a question: Is there a good source for the oval "country" badges that are period correct?  I'd like to install one now that I am about to put a retro Dutch plate once my U.S. car gets registered here.

Brian