Production Numbers of 280 SL particularly in 1971

[Concept 42]

I am trying to find out how many 280 SL were actually manufactured by MBZ. I would specifically like to know how many were produced in 1971 total and how many of the total were US Spec. If possible it would be great to find out how many were 4 speeds versus automatics as well. Can anyone help with those numbers or direct me on research material I can obtain the numbers from? Thanks for the help.

[Lars G]

According to the book by Brian Long  the prouduction was 830 cars 1971 and out of this 553 was for export.
Lars

[sandcrab59]

Not having the info in front of me, My car 23,740 was made on 2/19/71.
Flyair (Poland) car is 23798. At Willingen there was a person that flyair met , his car was 23802.
The last 280sl is 23,850 made in the last week of 2/71.
All you have to do is find the last number for Dec 1970 subtract that number from 23850 and you have the 1971 production.
My car was Euro, Flyair was USA. So they were mixed when they came off the line.
Good luck with finding your other numbers
Tom

[Concept 42]

Tom - I am no sure I understand what you are saying?

Lars,

Thank you very much. Do you know how many 280 SL were manufactured in total during their time of production?

Thanks again.

[cbenz1]

Here is one reference that has details for all the Pagodas - http://www.my280slpagoda.com/production-numbers/

As far as 1971 stick versus automatic, I read somewhere there were approximately 10% that were stick for 1971, but have never seen the specific amount. I would like to know exact myself.

Chuck

[Peter van Es]

I can't imagine you'll find any more detail than at our own technical manual:

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/USModelYear

Peter

[sandcrab59]

I made a mistake. That is what you get for relying on memory rather than going to the stats.
Her is what I found out years ago.
280SL Production numbers
1967   143
1968   6930
1969   8047
1970   7935
1971  830

For a total of 23,885.
That was my mistake in the previous email. 23850 was wrong. That was not the last car,23885 was.

All SL'
230SL   19831
250SL    5196
280SL   23885

As far as your other questions are concerned I do not have a clue
Tom

[Concept 42]

Thank you!

[sailjay]

I too am curious about standard transmission numbers for 1971. Does anyone have this info?

[mmizesko]

If you were asking how many 280SL's were produced in the calendar year 1971, the number is 774, I believe, with 56 made in December of 1970, for a total of 830.

I tried to calculate how many hardtops with rear defrosters were produced.  I know they were on the 71's, but I have seen some pictures of 1970's with the defroster switch behind the ashtray.

Anyone have an idea?

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

[zoegrlh]

I have a 1970 with Hard Top with defroster switch.
Bob

[Larry & Norma]

So have I (1970) but switch is on the dashboard.

[CraigD]

I have a '70 with the defroster switch behind the ashtray... 018260, delivered 5/21/70.

[mmizesko]

Thanks for the info.  Could you provide the production number for yours so I could get some sense of whether they started early or late in the year?

My 1970 came with a hardtop, which was lost or discarded by the prior owner,  and didn't have a defroster, and mine was made in April.  I bought a 71 hardtop and am wiring the switch (found the wrapped switch module for the center box on ebay, and pulled the harness/relay out of a 108) and putting in the "b" pillar cover with the pigtail hatch, so I wanted to know how correct I could be, instead of fabricating a 1970 1/2 280SL.  Perhaps it was an option all year?

Larry & Norma, interesting placement of the switch on the dash.  Where is it mounted?

At least now I know that some 1970 280SL's had the defroster.

Also, I've seen a few pics of cars that have a "double" pull switch in the tray behind the ashtray (one for the defroster).  Just curious what the second one is for?  Anyone know?

I appreciate the help.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

[hkollan]

Also, I've seen a few pics of cars that have a "double" pull switch in the tray behind the ashtray (one for the defroster).  Just curious what the second one is for?  Anyone know?

The second pull switch is for the rear fog light option on non-US cars and had a green control light in the center.  The hardtop defrost option was available on earlier cars, and eventually became standard on all cars that came with the hardtop.

Hans

[Larry & Norma]

My switch is mounted near the steering column on the opposite side to
the emergency flasher switch. RHD car.
It does not look like a factory fit.

[mmizesko]

Larry,

Interesting.  I think it is nice to not have to encumber the center console.

Hans,

Thanks for the explanation on the 2nd switch.  I'm not sure I've seen the rear fog lights yet over here.  I'll have to look it up.

You have been very helpful.

Mike

[Flyair]

Joseph
Not much of a help to resolve the US/Euro version split in 1971, but just an interesting info on the motoring investments page:

the car with the VIN ending 23884 (in other words the one before last) was a US version and can be seen on their page (link below) while the 23885 was a Euro and is at the MB museum.

http://www.motoringinvestments.com/MainPage.htm

BTW, mine is 23798, but there is one listed in the car registry on this site with 23842.

[Flyair]

Joseph
Not much of a help to resolve the US/Euro version split in 1971, but just an interesting info on the motoring investments page:

the car with the VIN ending 23884 (in other words the one before last) was a US version and can be seen on their page (link below) while the 23885 was a Euro and is at the MB museum.

http://www.motoringinvestments.com/MainPage.htm

BTW, mine is 23798, but there is one listed in the car registry on this site with 23842.

[WRe]

Hi, Pagoda production statistics see here: http://www.pagodentreff.de/diskussionsforum/t8728-produktionsstatistik-w113.html
...WRe

[Lars G]

while the 23885 was a Euro and is at the MB museum.

23885 was a US version and was for sale on Ebay some years ago in US

[Peter van Es]

Hi, Pagoda production statistics see here: http://www.pagodentreff.de/diskussionsforum/t8728-produktionsstatistik-w113.html
...WRe

Or: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/USModelYear

[Flyair]

Peter,

These statistics say that the 250 was discontinued in january 1968, which as I gather did not mean there were none in production that month. The table below shows that 2 were produced in January 1968. Interestingly enough the column to the right shows that 15 were exported that month (8 od which to the US). This means that the export column doesn't mean necessarily the cars produced the same month.

As a matter of curiosity, one of the 2 250SL is in Poland owned by a friend.


Lars,
If the pictures attached to your mail are correct (and I don't see why not) that means you discovered the first (and hopefully only) flaw on the motoring investments webpage, which was for me one of primary sources of information. The Motoring Investment page says: We have just purchased the last ever made U. S. specification Pagoda! The only car built after this one was a European model and it now resides with the factory in Germany. This one is number 23,884."

[Sam SL]

My 71 is 23845… 2/71 build.  US model

[Flyair]

Sam

have you entered the data into the car registry here?

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Registry.Start