The Avenue des Champs-Élysées - Paris

[kampala]

There is a Mercedes display center on The Avenue des Champs-Élysées in Paris where they normally show off concept vehicles and the newest models.   While walking by tonight it was amazing to see a Pagoda within the display ... they are celebrating Iconic Stars and the Pagoda is one 4 or 5 vehicles on display ... very nice to see.

[dario]

Very beautifully restored (or well-maintained original!) car.
I do not see any single error in it (maybe the radio gauges and missing lighter). And so the distinguished place.
Very nice photos.

[Flyair]

Fantastic photos. I find that Champs-Élysées is a perfect place to expose a Pagoda. I am sure that this venue for display adds a lot of value to our already highly praised car.

The car looks great indeed. The lighter knob is missing, as I am sure either the owner acted from experience this item goes usually missing each time watchers are too close, or... to the contrary, he was too late in preventing the unscrupulous watchers sampling a Souvenir de Paris...

As usual in the flaw spotting game chapter... not really an error, but for such a perfect car I would wrap it in some classic tyres, such as Michelin MXV-P and Vredestein Sprint Classic. The photos show the Michelin Energy Savers that are more suitable for utility vans. Not a problem in normal circumstances, but on Champs-Élysées... oh la la, messieurs dames!!!

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Thanks for sharing! Fantastic photos.

Is that the store where you work up the stairs (I seam to remember it having 5 floors). When I was there I took the elevator back down (the elevator has glass walls allowing another look on the way down).

[kampala]

Is that the store where you work up the stairs (I seam to remember it having 5 floors).

The Citroen building might be the one you are thinking of ... the Citroen building has only one car per floor and about 5 floors --- a bit odd.   The Mercedes building is mostly all on the ground floor ...

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Of course you are right now that I think about it. Thanks for clarifying.

[Tomnistuff]

Why does a 280SL have 230/250SL door pockets?
Tom Kizer

[dario]

Door pockets are correct.
It's european version (with armrests in it). All types (230Sl, 250SL, 280SSL) had the same.

[Tomnistuff]

We live and learn.  Mine is a 67 230SL Italian version with hard door pockets, so I thought all 280s came with soft pockets.  The TM mentions 280s getting soft pockets for the US but doesn't say that the Euro versions kept the hard door pockets.  Thanks for clarifying it.

Tom Kizer

[mbzse]

../..I thought all 280s came with soft pockets.  The TM mentions 280s getting soft pockets for the US but doesn't say that the Euro versions kept the hard door pockets

All other markets other than US had hard pockets on 280SL until end of production. I think it had to do with some US safety regulation, requiring the soft pockets to be fitted. This was then documented by M-B as part of the SA491 (US version) package, specifying sealed beam headlights, headrests and so many other items
/Hans in Sweden
.

[114015]

Tom,
Haven't you been a long-termed member here with us and you don't know this??

It helps also to read sometimes our Wiki...

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Interior/DoorTrim

No harm meant!

Achim

[Tomnistuff]

No harm experienced!

I guess I spent too many years in the U.S. auto industry.  Making different cars for different markets is a part of the game, but a change like hard pockets being replaced by soft pockets would normally be a switchover for all cars in all markets in the U.S. auto industry.  Arbitrary differences are not tolerated when all the cars are being made in the same plant.  Complexity costs money so it is normally minimized.

I saw the wiki where it says the U.S. doors required soft pockets but it didn't say that the Euro cars kept the hard pockets.  Based on my experience, I would have expected the Euro cars to get the soft pockets at the same time to save money.

Anyway, I had reasons for what I assumed but I was wrong.

Like I said, "Live and learn."

Tom Kizer

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hi Tom, I somehow think that in the 60s and 70s we still had Engineers running the show later on in the 80s and up the Accountants seam to be in the drivers seat. If the Accountants had been in charge during the production years of our fine Pagoda's (Pagode's) the change from hard to soft side pockets would have been made right across the line I'm thinking what say you?

[Flyair]

R-D

I agree that in the case of our Pagodas the show was run by engineers, but...  given what we spend on our Pagodas, I would say that the accountant has gladly accepted our cars into their realm. alas  :'(

[waltklatt]

A Blaupunkt radio is there instead of a Becker.
And the wiper arms are the US version, not the polished stainless as the Euro models had along with the chromed horn ring.
Cigarette lighter is missing as you can see all the fingerprint smudges on the door top chrome, yikes!
Walter.

[Flyair]

If the fingertips were adequately analysed, we would know who has taken the cigar lighter

[Brian in NL]

Blaupunkt was one of the optional radios. But I think they were more common on U.S. market cars. My 230SL has one with AM-FM-Shortwave. Still works beautifully, too!