A question regarding the correct color of the heater levers

[ncsurfer]

I am replacing my heater levers on my 280sl. The only one that was not broken was the clear one(see photo). Even though it is old, the clear lever is in good shape. The rivets and black plastic are very good. The new replacement lever is orange. So, my question is: since both are in good shape, what is the correct color, clear or orange and if clear is correct, should I use the older one? If the answer on correct color is clear, I am thinking that I will use the older clear one.
Thanks guys........

[mbzse]

.../... The new replacement lever is orange. So, my question is: ... what is the correct color, clear or orange

I have noted that among the the heater levers that are supplied from (various) vendors as a set, the two red levers are ok, the blue one is semi-ok (a bit too bright blue, compared to original ones) but the smoke-grey type - well it is now supplied as orange, for some reason!!     Totally un-original.

I have managed to rivet a new black plastic part (taken from the orange lever delivered to me) onto an old smoke-grey lever "body", see attached, which saved my day. I suppose you can use small screws with nuts as fasteners as well.
/Hans in Sweden

[Jonny B]

Totally in agreement with Hans. New sets are orange in place of clear/grey (what's up with that). My friend Barry just bought a set of aftermarket levers, and we found that one of the levers (bottom right) was not cast correctly! When you get the new levers double check that they are exactly the same as the old ones (the protrusions where the castle nuts fit through were not correct. We got a replacement set from Benz (I think) and the clear lever was grey.

[114015]

I have managed to rivet a new black plastic part (taken from the orange lever delivered to me) onto an old smoke-grey lever "body",

Hans,

How do you rivet these?
Where have you got the correct rivets?
And which tool do you use to "close" them properly?

Thnx a lot,

Achim

[49er]

 My replacement levers and cables came from MB. The colors are correct but he "gray" lever does appear to have an yellowish amber glow due to the old incandesent bulb.

John

[mbzse]

How do you rivet these? Where have you got the correct rivets? And which tool do you use to "close" them properly?

Well, somewhat intricate...   A friend who does model Railways as a hobby turned the rivets in a small lathe. Then with a punch tool, the soft brass rivets were shaped to lock the plastic parts together
/Hans in Sweden
.

[66andBlue]

The protrusion can be filed off, but unfortunately the color can't be changed. 
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=21878.0

[thelews]

on early cars the entire lever was colored.

[ja17]

Yes, I have been using the rivet trick for years also.  Not sure where the rivets came from, but I am sure they can be found. The rivets can be struck with a center punch to start the process. Next gently "peen" them over with a tiny ball peen hammer.

[UJJ]

I used a ball from a ball bearing and pliers to close the rivet, so no hammering.
I also got after market levers. I discarded the orange and purchased the clear from MB.
Urban

[jerrycastillo]

Hello,
I have found some heater levers that are advertised for W108 or W109 cars.
MB part # A000 833 22 40, A000 833 05 40 and A000 833 07 40
Would these work in my 1970 280SL?

Thank you!

Gerardo