Paint Color for a re-paint for collectibility

[DickLewis]

Hello,

I am a full member now and new so please if I make a mistake treat me gently.  Question.  I acquired a 250SL that was painted 304 - Horizon Blue with 114 - Natural interior.

The car is being strippred to bare metal as I write this.  I am thinking of changing the colors.  If I stay in the original colors am I OK for collectibility.  And second question if a color was only available for the 280 could I use that color as well and would that be OK?

Thank you in advance for ideas or comments

Dick

[Rodolfo]

if you liked the original color it would be best not to change it of course. But if you don't like the original color at all , you can change it to another original color. Because if it is your car , you should be happy with the color, not other people. On the other hand if you immediately want to sell the car you, best keep it original.Because if if you dont like that color, it is for the buyer to like it then.Just my 2 cents.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Dick, I wholeheartetly agree with Rudy. Blue is a nice colour for this car (I find anyway) my colour code is 904 H blue and in the short while I have the car I got a lot of comments on the colour.

Then keep in mind it's all in the Eyes of the Beholder

[Garry]

As Rolf-Dieter says, its all in the eyes of the beholder.  However, for originality purposes only one colour counts and that is what the car came out of the factory with.  Its on the Data Card and on the Paint code Plate.  Painting it another MB colour, even a colour from the same period is still changing the colour from original and does not score any points in the collectability stakes. That is not to say that it might be more attractive to more people but bottom line on originality is original colour.

The cost of properly stripping the car and painting it correctly is very high. A follow on potential purchaser may take this into account when buying but you have to live with the car during your ownership so you can do what ever you want just so long as you recognise that it will lose some points on originality and may scare away some potential buyers when you decide to sell it. Not necessarily lower the price if it is done well and it period and not purple

Garry

[DickLewis]

Thanks so much.  I am in a quandry and will take all advice into account.  But honestly in person I am just not that in love with Horizon Blue.

[DickLewis]

Thanks as well.  I love to hear from everyone.

[DickLewis]

WHich begs another question.  I cannot find anyone who makes 114 interior.  Is it even available?

[Garry]

In the past month I have done a search around the suppliers for a Leather 219 Natural to go with my Light Blue 230SL, which is the leather equivalent of the 114 MB Tex Natural and have found that GAHH and KHM both have a near match for it so suggest you start there.

Garry

[stickandrudderman]

In the UK a colour change won't affect value much, if at all, provided it's done properly.

[Cees Klumper]

My advice: I would research what colors are the most popular on the Pagoda (today, not back when) and choose the one you really like the most, then change to that color. That way although it's not original, it's likely to nevertheless attract more buyers than a less-popular color such as 'Horizon Blue'. There are various colors that are really gorgeous so why not have what you (and likely many others with you) prefer?

[ghenne]

WHich begs another question.  I cannot find anyone who makes 114 interior.  Is it even available?

I just finished getting the interior done on my car - it also came new with #114. I searched for years and could not find it anywhere on the planet. I went with GAHH #3218 Saddle leather: the color looks just like the original vinyl. Get a good installer: there are 160-180 hours of work to put in a complete new interior, if you skip the hardtop.

[Cees Klumper]

George - do you mean that, if one is to do the install themselves, the time required would be around 170 hours, but if an installer would do it it would be substantially less? Because if it takes an installer 170 hours, for sure I would do it myself (at say $60 an hour we'd be looking at $10,000?). I am going to be replacing at least the seat covers soon.

[KevinC]

To all...keep in mind that included in the subject line Dick states "for collectability" not "for my own enjoyment". If it were me, I would repaint in the original Horizon Blue (an awesome combination with the natural interior, IMHO). Its not likely that a different color would make the car worth more but it certainly could make it worth less in the opinion of the purists. Again, for 'collectability' you would want the car to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, including the purists. I would bet there are more of them than people who don't like blue.

[mdsalemi]

I agree with Kevin C 100%.  Horizon Blue is a great color, albeit a bit unconventional which makes it a bit desirable, I would think.

Aside from that, however, if you do decide to change the color, follow 2 basic rules to minimize any problems (which you foresee)

1. Paint EVERYTHING the new color that had the old color on it; do a 100% job. If you can tell from overt appearance (w/o looking at the data tag) that the color has changed, this is not a complete job. Dash, door jambs, engine bay, etc. all should be done.

2. Use a Mercedes color that appeared in the model range…not Ford Blue, or GM Yellow, or some made-up color.

You probably will minimize any future complaints when you come to sell by doing it right.

[DickLewis]

Thanks for the info

[DickLewis]

This is what I am trying to do.  There are some awesome potential original color combinations of both exterior and interior that many people just didn't think of back then.  Thanks.

[DickLewis]

If I change the color I will abide by your 2 suggestions and I would have done so.  I expect this to, of course, cost me more thank I have in mind but I always try to do it first class.  I want to take the car to the highest level I can with my pocketbook but I want to really like the car.

When I visited the paint man they were in the process of stripping the car and the best indication of really what the original color looked like (the hood and trunk appeared faded) was the paint above the speedometer housing that was under the MB tex dash so it never saw sun.  Plus that color looks quite different in different light, inside is one thing and outside is another.

I appreciate all of your comments so I will say thanks now to all who read and reply.  I have been active in the Rolls Royce Cllub for over 20 years and am very competent in judging and knowing  those cars but I have never had a collectible Benz and this will be my opportunity.

My paint man is very capable and I am confident that he will do a stellar paint job.  He has been told to take his time, (once I figure out the color).

[bogeyman]

In the immortal words of Rick Nelson (Garden Party)

"You can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself"

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hello Dick,

Be sure to post here the final results of your car once completed … We all look forward to it

On a foot Note ….

Dick I just got my Mercedes Benz Club of Canada "The Star Board" Magazine … in the Mercedes-Benz Club of Canada Annual Meet write up I'm listed as …

Rolf-Dick, 280 SL hmmm should I have changed my name to Dick when I came to Canada in the late 50s  I know it's just a typo

[ejboyd5]

In the immortal words of Rick Nelson (Garden Party) "You can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself"

Actual lyrics:  "But it's all right now
                     I learned my lesson well
                     You see you can't please ev'ryone so
                     You got to please yourself"

[DickLewis]

Hello again,

I don't know how to reply to everyone who has sent me wonderful emails to consider but let me be the first to say:

I am going to do it ORIGINAL.   I want to keep it as it came from the factory.  So that is it!!!!!!

I think that is what I should do since I hope I can take it up pretty high.

Next I guess I need to figure out how to show before and after photos but that will take a long time.  Thanks again for all your counsel and support on this new adventure.

Dick

[Garry]

Dick,

I am glad you are going to go there with original colour.  That way you cannot go wrong and keep the purists feeling better

I personally love my Light Blue 334 colour and spent several years looking for it in a blue and whilst slightly different than yours, they can look magnificent when done properly and attract a lot of comment.

[DickLewis]

She is quite nice as well.  Question for you.  Did she have the ivory wheel or did you add that?  While I am going original I reallly do love the ivory wheels.  I am now into this so I will probably be talking to you all every now and then.  Once I again I thank all of you.

[Garry]

The ivory wheel was a no cost option together with the central hub and also the ivory gear lever. The data card does not show whether it was or wasn't as far as I can tell but others more knowledgeable  may add if it was listed.

Garry

[KevinC]

My data card shows item 55/1 which the Tech Manual lists as "Steering Wheel, Ivory Colored". Since it is called out on the card, if your dc doesn't show this, your car was likely delivered with a black one. This is of course more easily changed than the exterior paint color!!