Chin Spoiler?

[Douglas]

Here's one on ebay with a chin spoiler. Never seen one on a Pagoda before:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2493891534&category=6315

(Obviously, it's not factory. Just thought it was interesting to see one.)

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[Malc]

Looks ok, sort of though I would like to see it in the "flesh" as it were. Doubt if it would have much aerodynamic effect though Pagoda's do have the aerodynamics of a housebrick compared to more modern stuff.
However that said aerodynamic aids do make a difference, a BMW3.0CSL with a "batmobile" rear wing, roof spoiler, front spoiler and front wing splitters handles, but we are talking at over 100mph  
Malc

[Ben]

Mmmm you must have sharp eyes.......I can hardly see !

Still its one aspect of the car that I dont like, probably the only one, the fact that you can see some of the bits hanging down at the front !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[norton]

May help cooling, OEM's often added air dams, to aid cooling.

[tuultyme]

This car does not have the chrome strips behind the rear wheels.  I have seen others like this.  Would these have been removed during repaint?

Bruce; 268Blaugrun(green) 1970 280SL; IL

[Ben]

I knew there was something odd about it !

Also I think the aerial is in the wrong place, the tail pipes are incorrect and there are no badges on the trunk lid !

Not that my car is perfect, its far from it !

Seller also describes it as SILVER !!

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[Bob G ✝︎]

Very intresting looking chin spoiler, almost excapes your eye as does the missing horn ring. I wonder if this came off a R-107 560SL. their where also quite a few intresting modifications like locking storage boxes built into the box sections behind the seats. I did notice the position of the radio antenna and can vouch that on European models some SL did get the antenna mounted there. The paint looks to be DB 180 silver .

 Gee the more I look at it the more wacky things I catch.


Bob Geco

[hauser]

It may have been a cool look at one time when an owner tried to set their car apart from others.  As for aerodynamic value I don't think it would be of much use.  If anything it could be used to indicate when a driveway is too steep.  

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[hauser]

Here's something strange to add to Doug's discussion.

Download Attachment: 230 bumber.jpg
41.57 KB

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[rwmastel]

Hauser,
That's to protect that expensive grille.  Looks like one might hit a cow driving where that car is parked!

I would assume the chin spoiler is to push air up to the radiator to cool the engine, not for aerodynamics.  I would like to see that in person and I would like to test it's functionality.  If it doesn't look too bad, and could be painted to match the body, then it might be a good modern modification!

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[n/a]

Hello, I am the owner of the 280SL that is listed. I got an Email from your user Hauser. He asked me if I could answer some questions. First the chin spoiler; the chin spoiler was fabricated to hide the void between the two front fenders. It was custom made from abs plastic. No it is not low enough to scrape, and has limited aerodynamic down force. I thought about painting it … but I didn’t want to call attention to it. Second; the steering wheel is original, but I bought a spare and leathered the winglets (Personal preference). I have however kept all original parts to revert to stock. The antenna is in its original hole. My data plate shows automatic antenna. During the restoration the car was stripped to bare metal and no evidence of a front fender hole exists, I looked because I was confused. Third; the rear deck badge holes were professionally weld-filled with aluminum (personal preference) but the stock badges are again included. Fourth; the lock boxes were made from W111 glove box hardware to provide easer access and hide a stereo that is housed in the lid.
Some “personal preferences” that were not discussed…No paint on coolant reservoir, 230SL Rearview mirror, Aluminum tank cap of unknown origin, Electronic ignition, 69 dealer option wheels on a 68, custom aluminum front plate bracket to hide euro mounting holes, Radio delete plate on a car w/ antenna
I have extensive knowledge on these cars and have reviewed you site before, but forgive me for saying this but I belong to another forum… rennlist… and can only devote time to one. If you have any more questions or might want to know about some worthy restoration modifications... I will be happy to answer what I can. Please leave the technical mechanics to your wealth of experts on this forum… because anyone who restores a car knows he is not the expert, but the beneficiary of the wealth of his predecessor’s knowledge.
Charles

[n/a]

quote:Originally posted by rwmastel

Hauser,
That's to protect that expensive grille.  Looks like one might hit a cow driving where that car is parked!

I would assume the chin spoiler is to push air up to the radiator to cool the engine, not for aerodynamics.  I would like to see that in person and I would like to test it's functionality.  If it doesn't look too bad, and could be painted to match the body, then it might be a good modern modification!

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

No cows in Saint Louis

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by Bruere


No cows in Saint Louis

Bruere,

Hi.  I was referring to this picture:
Download Attachment: 230 bumber.jpg
41.57 KB


Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Tom]

I have seen chrome guards as shown in the picture posted on other Pagoda's-designed to protect the very expensive grill. Seems odd to spend money on protective chrome bars that take away from the look of the grill/car. Kind of like keeping plastic on your sofa for 20 years so the fabric does not get messed up!

I like the looks of the black scoop on the Ebay car, and providing access to the void under the parcel shelf area for storage is a good add. Too bad Mercedes did not introduce both features while the car was in production. Perhaps the future retro version of the Pagoda will fix these oversights (hope springs eternal). In my humble opinion, tasteful modifications like this add to the texture of our Pagoda community.

Best,

Tom

1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)

[n/a]

I like the looks of the black scoop on the Ebay car, and providing access to the void under the parcel shelf area for storage is a good add. Too bad Mercedes did not introduce both features while the car was in production. Perhaps the future retro version of the Pagoda will fix these oversights (hope springs eternal). In my humble opinion, tasteful modifications like this add to the texture of our Pagoda community.

Best,

Tom

[/quote]
Thank you for you comments. I try to
1. Modify in a way that improves on a design.
2. Can be reversed to stock.
3. Serves to reflect the owner’s tastes without distracting from the designers intent.
The car is silver DB 180; the paint was a special order with finer metallic. I have gone way overboard on this car… over 15K in the paint job alone. I defiantly won’t do this again.
To address the exhaust; he system is an exact duplicate of the original except in stainless steel by borla. I have new chrome tips; just don’t like them on the car.
Charles

[Tom]

Charles,

Can you provide additional commentary on the paint?  I like the sheen and wonder if using a more fine metallic flake in the paint produces the sheen.

Also, the finish on the wheels looks very nice-any special paint used?

Best,

Tom


1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)

[n/a]

quote:Originally posted by Tom

Charles,

Can you provide additional commentary on the paint?  I like the sheen and wonder if using a more fine metallic flake in the paint produces the sheen.

Also, the finish on the wheels looks very nice-any special paint used?

Best,
The finer metallic prevents the flatness that DB 180 tends to get. The paint has a better shade shift and produces a deeper color. Direct sun is defiantly silver with no blues. Shade/overcast will tend towards a putty. The other art is the tried and true…Paint/sand/paint/sand etc… the clear, removing all orange peal. The car has the wet look all the time.
The wheels are painted with Wurth abrasion resistant lacquer wheel-rim spray; Color is Metallic Silver. And clear coated with the same in the clear
Another interesting modification is the soft top drain holes. The holes under the soft top rubber gasket have had brass fittings brazed onto the holes. Neoprene tubes joined with the soft top tray drains were routed out the bottom of the car. This keeps the water out of the inside of the automobile.
Charles

Tom


1971 280sl Tunis Beige Metallic (restored & enhanced)
1971 280sl Tobacco Brown (low mileage stock)
1970 280sl Deep Red (Project Car)

[n/a]

Sorry Tom, it appears that I inserted my comments into you message.
Charles

[n/a]

A beneficial modification for 280SL seats.
When I restored my seats I took the precaution of updating the bases to prevent the chance of breakage or sagging. The 1996 E class seats have a bolster pad to prevent sagging (I noticed the part in a seat cutaway at the car show). The part is very robust and fits perfectly in the 280SL seats. I welded a cross brace and the seat is at the same level of firmness but now the bolsters never sag.
Charles

[Ben]

quote:Another interesting modification is the soft top drain holes. The holes under the soft top rubber gasket have had brass fittings brazed onto the holes. Neoprene tubes joined with the soft top tray drains were routed out the bottom of the car. This keeps the water out of the inside of the automobile

.........now that IS clever !  Are these neoprene tubes exiting through the larger grommets for the main flat area and are there tubes from there down to the sill exit holes ?

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[n/a]

quote:Originally posted by Ben

quote:Another interesting modification is the soft top drain holes. The holes under the soft top rubber gasket have had brass fittings brazed onto the holes. Neoprene tubes joined with the soft top tray drains were routed out the bottom of the car. This keeps the water out of the inside of the automobile

.........now that IS clever !  Are these neoprene tubes exiting through the larger grommets for the main flat area and are there tubes from there down to the sill exit holes ?

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

The exit holes in the rear finder in front of the wheel well were closed to prevent the elements from intruding from below. The neoprene tubes exit from the caps in the rear well boxes, and have been venturi”ed” to create a negative atmosphere that draws the water out.
Charles

[A Dalton]

<<<The exit holes in the rear finder in front of the wheel well were closed to prevent the elements from intruding from below. The neoprene tubes exit from the caps in the rear well boxes, and have been venturi”ed” to create a negative atmosphere that draws the water out>>

 Charles

 So, They pitch back ?? or straight down to travel ?
Tnx
A Dalton

[n/a]

So, They pitch back ?? or straight down to travel ?
Tnx
A Dalton
[/quote]

The point down w/ slight pitch venture is cut in the back.
I can produce pictures but I don’t think that I can post on this forum.
Charles

[n/a]

quote:Originally posted by Bruere

So, They pitch back ?? or straight down to travel ?
Tnx
A Dalton

The point down w/ slight pitch venturi is cut in the back.
I can produce pictures but I don’t think that I can post on this forum.
Charles

[/quote]

[A Dalton]

Charles,

 You could email me a jpg, if that is cool w/you..
Tnx
AJDalton7@aol.com