French Show car 280SL

[W113SL]

Attached is an image of the engine compartment which we think is the Paris Auto Show 280SL in 1971.  This car has  the documented code 997 on the option card which means "Standwagon" or stationary show car.  The valve cover is painted black and most, if not all the normally yellow cad parts, including the injector lines are all chrome plated.

To make it more interesting, it is a five speed and very low mileage.

I only knew of one other Pagoda, a 1967 250SL formally owned by the late Frank Mallory which was ordered this way. This car is owned by a collector who looks to buy unusual and very low mileage examples.

Very rare indeed.

Pete Lesler
W113SL

[bsimaz]

Is that an air compressor connected to a pair of horns under the hood.
Wonder what that sounds like.

[W113SL]

I wondered what that cannister was for, then I noticed the horn.  Must be some kind of air horn.  Don't think it is original, though.

I have a lsting of all options on this car and there is no mention of a counry horn.

Pete Lesler
W113SL

[Jonny B]

This is the car that was at the La Jolla Concours this past Sunday. I am trying to figure out what would be the components of the 997 option. We can see the chrome lines and black valve cover. What else would have been included as part of 997??

[66andBlue]

Is that an air compressor connected to a pair of horns under the hood.
Wonder what that sounds like.

This horn looks quite similar to the ones in the original Boehringer Pagoda that Peter photographed during the Willingen event:

[Jonny B]

I had not realized there were so many under the hood, I guess on a rally you need to let people know you are coming!! Wow

[W113SL]

Hang in there friends. I will attempt to unlock osme if these mysteries surrounding code 997.  I will take copious phoots and interview te owner after my visit on May 9.


Stay tuned,

W113SL

Pete Lesler

[W113SL]

I spent over four ghours looking at the car collection in Phoenix which includes the red french car with option code 997 along with five other pagodas, all low mileage, a very low mileage 250SE Cab, a 1971 3.5 coupe, six 220S and 220SE ponton cabs and coupes,  two 300SL roadsters, and a gullwing.  All oare keputnin aaircoditioned 24 car garage.  The collector has been searchingt for low mileage original interesting Pagodas. Idon't hink he is itnterested om restored ones.

The red car is o French origin  It also has a fve peed ZF.

Therehas been a discussion about missing spot welds. On this car option, we belive the option code included the elimination of the visual spot welds. I am photos, the most tellign is the cover plate that was installed inide the front jamb where the fender meets the A pillar. THIS PLATE


is looks to be orig9nal and is clearily an obvious attempt to hiude spot weks, door ls is unliabs and cout

[W113SL]

Sorry about the typos.  Here is a phot of cover plate.  Pay particular attention to the cover plate inside the door jamb.  This is an obvious attempt to hide spot welds  by the factory.

W113SL

[W113SL]

More photos:

[W113SL]

Data card:  Option  code 997

[Garry]

That 997 rocker cover is really different, I have never seen one before and I guess it would be very rare option taken up.

Thanks for sharing.

Garry

[Jonny B]

Most interesting about the spot welds. I suppose there was really no listing sheet that specified exactly what was involved in 997. In other words, it may have depended on who ordered it, what they wanted, or where it was going to be seen; really no way to no for certain without any further documents. We have seen photos of Frank Mallory's car that clearly shows it does have the spot welds in the engine bay??

Pete - thanks for posting the photos and comments. All part of the fun of the detail.

[hkollan]

Hi,

Some years ago in Switzerland near Lausanne, I saw a white 280 SE w108 (M130 engine)car that was a show car exhibited at the Geneve Autosalon sometime in the mid/late 60's.
I remember to owner proudly pointing out that it had some special show car features. Unfortunately I didn't pay to much attention
to the details, but I can confirm that all the injection lines where chromed. I am quite certain the valve cover was not painted black.

Hans

[Tomnistuff]

The horns are FIAMM air horns and the cannister is an electric compressor that drives them.  They are typical on Italian cars of the period.
Tom Kizer

[w113savvy]

I see that you are impressed with the car collection.. one of the best collections to be seen today..

I spent over four ghours looking at the car collection in Phoenix which includes the red french car with option code 997 along with five other pagodas, all low mileage, a very low mileage 250SE Cab, a 1971 3.5 coupe, six 220S and 220SE ponton cabs and coupes,  two 300SL roadsters, and a gullwing.  All oare keputnin aaircoditioned 24 car garage.  The collector has been searchingt for low mileage original interesting Pagodas. Idon't hink he is itnterested om restored ones.

The red car is o French origin  It also has a fve peed ZF.

Therehas been a discussion about missing spot welds. On this car option, we belive the option code included the elimination of the visual spot welds. I am photos, the most tellign is the cover plate that was installed inide the front jamb where the fender meets the A pillar. THIS PLATE


is looks to be orig9nal and is clearily an obvious attempt to hiude spot weks, door ls is unliabs and cout

[w113savvy]

Yes, the red 280sl was at the La Jolla Concours along with our ivory 280sl, 220se cab and another silver 280sl.

This is the car that was at the La Jolla Concours this past Sunday. I am trying to figure out what would be the components of the 997 option. We can see the chrome lines and black valve cover. What else would have been included as part of 997??