All Red Tail lights

[LFrank]

Thanks; I was going to point out that my "beater" farm-use car - a 1990 Ford Explorer - has all red rear lights, including chimsel and indicators.

LFrank
Washington DC
65 230 sl - auto
DB334/Hellblau

[Bob G ✝︎]

Tom:
 Can you post some pictures of orginal and Lenses  and unites your company manufactor so we can see the two side by side?

Bob Geco

[pagode.info]

Hello Bob,

I took two pics of a new right side red/red one.


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[pagode.info]

I also took a pic showing one of the best
used "old" red/red taillight I have in
stock.

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Tom

[Ben]

Does anyone know if its possible to convert the later lights for use with the old "all red" lenses ??

I had the ols style but they were damaged and I bought the later 280 style units.

Can I just buy the red lens, I know the bulb holder is different but that isn't a problem, is the chrom part the same, will the same gaskets work ?

Does anyone know ?

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

[pagode.info]

You will also need early style inner
reflectors and also early style metal
bulb holders. Frame & Rubber can be
used.  

Tom

[Ben]

Thansk Tom !

I have the bulb holders, why the reflectors ?

Is it because the actual layout is different.........obviously !

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

[pagode.info]

Yes, the layout of the "late" rear
taillights (built from Feb 1969) is
totally different. The "late" reflec-
tors do not match with the "early"
glasses.

I have some friends in Northern Ireland.
Do You know T & D Heaney Motor Co ? If
You are not sure what to do, Tom senior
can help You. Their website adress is
www.pagoda.info (I lead one of mine
Domains onto their website). They are
specializing in Pagoda Restoration.

Have a nice day,

Tom

 

[Ben]

Hi Tom,
   Yes I know Tom Heaney, and Tom jnr, they have both helped me out numerous times in the past. They are quite a distance from me though.

Still I might talk to them the next time I'm there and order the lenses in the meantime !

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

[mdsalemi]

OK Guys now I have the definitive answer on all red versus red/amber lamp assemblies.

Many of you think that this research is "over the top" but that's how we get answers.  Call it intense curiouity, but I've owned 4 cars from the 1968-1969 era (Austin America, Austin Cooper S, MG Midget and of course the 113) and all of these vehicles seemed to change from all red to red/amber at around the same time--mid 1968, though at this point in time nobody gives a hoot about all red tail lamps on a BMC product!

I contacted the DOT and NHTSA and it turns out that this is just mere coincidence and manufacturer's choice, not any US regulations for the change.  Red or Red/Amber is acceptable and has been for years, for the tail lights.  Perhaps there were some European rule changes or it could be simply that both BMC and MB decided to change at the same time for aesthetic reasons.

So, as Bob Geco (krwxbz) astutely noted, the new '05 Mustang is all red.  So are many others.  The use of red/amber actually adds to the complexity of wiring (per a Visteon engineer) and is done solely for aesthetic reasons.


Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[sammyr]

I still havent been able to find just the red reproduction lenses. The only place that had them was buds bens for 175 each lens. Does anyone know where they have them at a cheaper price?

1969 MERCEDES 280SL
WHITE ON BLACK/ BLACK HARD TOP

[Bob G ✝︎]

Ok now I am seeing red again! How about I install some of those way out clear lens with orange turn signal bulbs and red stop light bulbs you see the in crowd with the rocket Hondas have Then We can all go to Pepe-Boys and buy them for cheap. That will fix thoses Red tailight hustlers! Now where did I put my percription?
Bob Geco

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by sammyr

I still havent been able to find just the red reproduction lenses. The only place that had them was buds bens for 175 each lens. Does anyone know where they have them at a cheaper price?

1969 MERCEDES 280SL
WHITE ON BLACK/ BLACK HARD TOP

Let me offer that you probably won't find them much less costly, I'm afraid.  There was an advertiser in the Star last year that had them for something like $1,000 a set, so considering that and what the real ones cost on eBay, $175 looks to be pretty good, wouldn't you say?


Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[Jonny B]

Just remember that the lens from Buds (millers has them too) you will need to break out the old lens to install the new one. Millers and Buds also have the chrome frame and the backreflector. The price, unfortunately, is pretty decent.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[pagode.info]

175 US $ sounds OK. It`s only 45 $ more than
the price, when You buy them directly in Ger-
many (where the lenses come from.)

P.S.:
New frames & rubbers are always Merc parts.
You can buy them at Your local Merc dealer.

By the way: You can also buy the licence
plate lamp glasses as a single part now !

Good Luck,

Tom





www.pagode.info

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by pagode.info

By the way: You can also buy the licence
plate lamp glasses as a single part now!

Great!  I recall an old thread on this and it was decided that buying the whole assembly was the only way to get a new lens.  Good to hear!

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

[pagode.info]

Hallo Rodd,

the "official" info, that one has to buy the
whole assembly, is a result of the matter of
fact, that the licence plate lamps are always
parts coming from Mercedes. All dealers have
to buy them at Merc. Because of this You get
no other answers.

Dealers who do not only buy and resell parts
coming from Mercedes, will offer a bit "more"
than only the Merc parts.

There are lots of other bits and pieces on the
market now, that Merc doesn`t deliver.

The glasses are approximately 25 Dollars each.

Have a nice day,

Tom

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www.pagode.info

[Jonny B]

Just to keep the group up to speed, there is a set of all red lenses on ebay, currently at US$ 1425, with the reserve not met! The current top bidder is the same person (not me) that bought a set late last year for $2550! and from the same seller to boot!

Silliness abounds.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[mdsalemi]

...and to think my set went for only $850 in 2002.  Perhaps I should have held on to them longer

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[n/a]

If, by some chance, these became available again, what do all of you think a fair and realistic price would be for them ? I need to know these things. It's part of my job.

Tom Hanson
Parts Manager
MBUSA Classic Center
Irvine CA

[Cees Klumper]

Hello Tom. What I would personally consider to be a fair price for a new set of rear lights (including the bulb holders, reflectors, gaskets but not necessarily the outer chrome trim - i.e. like one can buy the front light assemblies made by Bosch) would be around $800.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[pagode.info]

The results on ebay are almost unbelieveable
to me. Others may agree.

It seemes to me that a lot of pagoda parts
get different feedbacks, depending only on
WHERE You offer those items.

The discussion regarding the still available
(affordable)new all red taillights shows the
same.

Have a nice day,

Tom
 



   

   

   

[n/a]

Cees,
The early W113 tail lights have the lenses and chrome bezel moulded together.

Tom Hanson
Parts Manager
MBUSA Classic Center
Irvine CA

[Bob G ✝︎]

On e-bay another orginal new old stock of red taillights are up for auction same source Robert Sully.

Bob Geco

[Cees Klumper]

Ok Tom, in that case add $5 ;-)

Seriously I suppose another $100-150 for the chrome would be reasonable to me.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic