Author Topic: Hardtop  (Read 3167 times)

thelews

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Hardtop
« on: October 20, 2015, 12:08:08 »
I bought my 1967 250 SL in 2007.  Pulled the car in the garage, took some pictures and promptly removed the hardtop, took it in the dry finished basement and covered it, never to be used again by me.  I'm building a home and hope to move in spring, thus, the hardtop needs to be on the car for transport.  With my son home visiting, we carried it up and installed it on the car.  I have to admit, I forgot how classy the hardtop makes the car look.  All that extra glass, chrome, wood and nice headliner.  Car really takes on a polished, top end, finished look.  The soft top, lets admit, is really just a rag on a dull bow, doesn't do anything to enhance the interior (actually detracts) or exterior.  But, the hardtop, 1st class all the way and makes all the other jewelry stand out in the car, especially the 230s and early 250s that have more chrome and detail than the 280s.  It's fun to look how MB created lines of chrome all the way around interior and exterior spaces.

That said, my car is VERY RED now!  My mother's car in the early 70s was red with a black top and black hubs.  That was a nice look.

These pics are from the previous owner.

Oh, one point of interest.  There must be some foam between the headliner and metal roof.  With the windows closed, when I close the door, it blows disintegrated foam pieces out the rear vent of the hardtop just above the window.  I do believe the top is original, possibly repainted in 1975 when the entire car was.
Enjoy some pictures at this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8292359@N06/sets/72157603240571101/show/

John - Wisconsin
1967 Early 250 SL Red/Caviar, Manual #1543
1961 190 SL 23K miles
1964 Porsche 356
1970 Porsche 911E
1991 BMW 318is
1966 Jaguar XKE
1971 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750

RobSirg

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Re: Hardtop
« Reply #1 on: October 20, 2015, 13:23:32 »
I agree the Hardtop is the true Pagoda, and I too have a soft point for two-tone cars (but I am biased).

I was having sprinkles of disintegrated foam on my head and shoulders after a drive for years - drove me nuts!.....it's like a black dandruff. I eventually took the vacuum cleaner to it and was being careful as my liner was original and in quite good condition. I would say I got most of it but I still get a light sprinkle.

I think it is my car's way of thanking me for driving her  ;D
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

batman

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Re: Hardtop
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2015, 09:50:42 »
She looks terrific Rob, a very classic 1960's style with hard top on in 2 tone.

 Is that the Ikea car park near your work?

RobSirg

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Re: Hardtop
« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2015, 12:06:59 »
No Mark, it was the Southland Car Park near my home (after hours) - actually looks good in Black & White also.
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

AGT

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Re: Hardtop
« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2015, 19:24:29 »
John

I agree.

I put the hardtop on my R107 a few weeks ago for the first time in about seven years and the look of the car is transformed. The 107 has an extra (and pesky) quarter light in the canvas hood which lighten it slightly compared with the pagoda but even so looks very dowdy with the canvas hood up. Now I want to put the hardtop on my pagoda except the car and the hardtop are 1200 miles apart. What an excuse for a drive.

The pagoda definitely has to be canvas top down or hardtop on. Maybe the Californian version makes the most sense after all.

Best regards
Andrew
Andrew

1966 230SL