La Jolla Concours

[Jonny B]

I was a judge at today's La Jolla Concours (Southern California). We had a single class for Pagodas. They were all excellent. But the top dog was a 1971 280 SL with the display prep option (code 997). This is the black valve cover and chromed injection lines. It was a French car with the amber back up lights. It was just great to crawl over this for the judging. I have a number of photos and will post them when I get back from traveling this week.

[Michael C]

I was wondering what the scoop was on the black valve cover and lines.  It looked a little flashy, but beautiful car.

[W113SL]

I am traveling to Phoenix to review this car in a couple of weeks. The owner specializes in low mileage original cars.

The black painted valve cover is a feature on these "standwagon" cars for the show circuit.

I only knew of one other ordered like this and that was a 250SL owned by Frank Mallory now deceased.

W113SL

Pete Lesler

[Jonny B]

Pete, will be most interested to see what you have to type about this. One other detail I forgot to mention was that the screw holes on the cover for the A pillar had little plugs glued in to cover the screw heads.

[66andBlue]

... I only knew of one other ordered like this and that was a 250SL owned by Frank Mallory now deceased. ..

Did Mallory's car have a black valve cover or a highly polished one?
More importantly I am told that it did have the fender spot welds in the engine whilst this car does NOT!!
Now if Mercedes had accepted that "weld spot removal request" as part of the 997 order then I am really surprised.
Pete, please take a very close look at these missing weld spots and let us know your opinion.

[tel76]

Jonney,
Would you clarify what you mean,  The screw heads on the A pillar had little plugs in them.
The screws that hold the A pillar chrome on are hidden under the rubber moulding.

[Jonny B]

These are the screws that hold the plastic upholstery cover that match the dash trim, seats etc, not the chrome.

[Jonny B]

Just a little late, here are a few shots from the La Jolla concours. It was just a chamber of commerce kind of day by the ocean! The red car engine bay is the display option car (code 997). The 300SL roadster was quite an eye-catcher in the silver violet metallic, chatting with the folks from the Classic Center - it was an available color, but no 300 SL roadsters left the factory this way. Only one Gullwing did. Gotta love that Rolls Royce!

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Nice pictures Jonny, thanks for sharing!

When will be the 2016 event? I might just visit (by air) my friend on the west coast then. Is the date known yet?

[49er]

Hello Jonny, it does look like it was a "chamber of commerce" kind of day. Miss those So Cal beaches. In looking at the Red 280SL, it apears the firewall pad had been painted black along with the under lying structure (hood latch and heater inlet/outlet). Was this also part of 997 order option?

John

[Jonny B]

49er, Good eye on those details. There was black around the fuse box (which is the case on most of our cars, later 280 SL's perhaps not), also black in the corners of the firewall, under the hood bumpers. I have sent a note to Tom H at the Classic Center, but no comment. I am trying to get a better list/understanding of what was included in 997.

Just checked the La Jolla concours site, 8-10 April 2016 is what is posted.

[W113SL]

I will review this car with the owner in May 9.

He has asked me to come by to see his collection.  This car is also a five speed car as well.

There appear to be some inconsistencies with the various finishes under the hood.  I will attempt to investigate these and answer any questions taht are unanswered.

 BTW, I ddi potst a phot a while baclk on this same car .

W113SL

Pete Lesler