Swapping out 250SL tail lights on a 230SL

[relbhcb]

I have 1964 230SL (UK spec) which has what I now believe are the 250SL tail lights as fitted by a previous owner. See top & bottom of photo. The indicator section have orange lenses. I would like to replace them with the original 230SL style "all red" lenses.

I have just obtained a pair of all red lenses (see middle of photo) but now see that they will not directly swap over.  . Thankfully the vendor has said that I can return them for a refund if I wish to.

Question: does anyone know what is the best way to make this change? Would a set of 230SL (all red) light cluster back plates fit in my 250SL chrome trim surrounds, or am I just going to continually hit expensive bricks walls with wanting to make this change? Does anyone know of a UK (or EU) source? Will I also need to buy new chrome surrounds and rubber gaskets etc etc? 

Any top tips warmly welcomed.

TIA

Julian B
(UK)

[jameshoward]

It looks like your car is a '64, so the switch over will be legal (unlike my late 230, which has illegal all red lights and which has failed one MOT as a result).

I got my complete set of rear lights from Kienle, which are a world class outfit, who - unsurprisingly - charge world class outfit prices. I was able to use mates rates to reduce the cost of a full set of OEM lights with surrounds, gaskets, etc, but there were still not far off 800 euros. http://www.kienle.com/index.cgi?lang=en I'm sure they'd be glad to help.

Have a good search on the site. Lots has been written about rear lights. Alfred (66 and Blue) will be able to add some helpful advice, I'm sure, as can others.

I recently put LEDs into my all red rear lights to improve the vis at night. Made a huge difference.

[Paul & Dolly]

Hi Julian,

Are you sure that your UK spec car were fitted with all red tail lights ? and not maybe the "all red" style with orange indicator sections ?

The  Technichal Manual here may be illuminating ! but it is often written wrt US spec.
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/TailLights

I think you will find that the complete assembly/lamp holder is different between the earlier 230 type lights and the later type you now have fitted.
it can all be very confusing.
good luck
Paul

[jameshoward]

Paul,

This has come up before, I think, and I went through this when having to look at changing my lights to MOT the car after a particularly sharp inspector (who was also a complete arse) picked me up for all red lights. I think I recall (but can't be certain) that the early 230s came with the all red lights wherever they were exported to, but then the orange lenses were used after the mid-66 cut off. Either way, Julian's car would not be incorrect with all red lights because of it's age, and they'd be legal. I guess another question is whether it's worth what could be quite an outlay. It would be interesting to know for certain if/when UK cars rear lights were changed over to orange.

JH

[relbhcb]

Thanks both; http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_140.htm suggests that cars first registered before 1st Sept 1965 _can_ have red rear indicators, and certainly my other two early cars (1956 Citroen and 1962 Haflinger) get through their MOTs with red indicators.

Whether or not my 230SL ever had red tail lights I am not sure. I do have an old photo from a PO which definitely shows orange lenses in ~1998; an earlier photo from a Peter Skellern LP record cover shoot (~1981) that looks like the lenses were red but I can't be sure.

Whilst I'd like to have red lenses I don't want to spend a vast amount on them. A couple of hundred pounds is fine, but more than ~£400 and I'll give up 

[Scottcorvette]

I'm about to order some repro tail light housings and reflectors from K&K for mine. If they look ok when they turn up I will use them, if they don't I'll ebay them...

Assuming they look ok you can have my old ones if you like. They need tidying and depends what kind of finish you are looking for, but the offer is there. Can't help you on the bezels though. Failing that if you want new ones I can double up on my order and get you a set.

I like all red tail lights, I think they look cool.

[jameshoward]

Thanks both; http://www.motuk.co.uk/manual_140.htm suggests that cars first registered before 1st Sept 1965 _can_ have red rear indicators, and certainly my other two early cars (1956 Citroen and 1962 Haflinger) get through their MOTs with red indicators.

It's also worth noting for anyone else that stumbles across this from the UK that there is an additional 6 month grace period post Sep 65 that can be granted, effectively taking you out to Mar 66. I went through every loophole trying to get around this when I was picked up, so became a bit of an expert on UK MOT lighting regulations for as long as it interested me. In the end, I lost. However, I have since changed MOT testers...so far, no problem.

[mbzse]

.../... and not maybe the "all red" style with orange indicator sections

Yes Paul,
This type (which I have from factory on my early 280SL /8 Italian delivery) is today available in repro style. See pic attached.
One vendor is AMS Hagen in Germany, web oldtimer-ersatzteile24.de
The plastic glass needs to be glued to the chrome frame, somewhat intricate
/Hans in Sweden
.