What options does your Pagoda have?

[Pagoda_84]

I just got the Datacard for my car and noted some interesting options.

Ordered with leather, sideways rear seat, Becker radio and heated rear glass in the hard top.

Full list of options on my 1968 280SL RHD Manual:

Option codes;
401     single seats
416     hard-top mounted
461     instruments in English
481     under-shields
502     side view mirror, right
511     Becker radio
524     paint-coat preservation
531     automatic antenna
565     rear seating
591     heat insulated glass / heated rear pane
613     lamp unit, left-hand traffic
669     mode of packing VE I
232     rear axle ratio, 1: 4.36
313     sea chest light
740     soft-top fabric, black

Curious to see what options other people have and how common some of the options I have are?

[Garry]

I see that the rear axle has a ratio of 4.36.  Has anyone else seen this before, it appears very high number given that most are 4.08 and less?  Any comments?

[mclewis]

What is a"sea chest light"?

[mbzse]

What is a "sea chest light"?

He he, good question! That is an SA [the 313] I have never encountered (or noted) before.
We must find out together, in this group, what is behind that cloudy description.
BTW, SA 232 is rear axle ratio 1:4.08
Nameless, how is the situation with the undershields (SA 481), are they still on this SL? I have only ever seen them illustrated in the parts books, never on a car.
/Hans S

[Peter h]

Yes, let see us  a picture.

Peter

[Jonny B]

You guys read my mind from across various ponds! I would love to see more about the under shields.

[Pagoda_84]

Could it be the outside glovebox light? My car has a map light on the outside of the glovebox.. so when you open the glovebox a light on the outside can be used as a map light... could that be it? Or is that in all Pagodas?

[Pagoda_84]

What should these weather shields look like? I dont think they are on the car.. would they be on the hard top?? Not sure what I am looking for.. I will post pics of the car.

[Pagoda_84]

Here are the pics.

[Tyler S]

481 under-shields are thick heavy metal plates under the car. They cover the engine and transmission. I think also the fuel tank?
313 is "sea chest, light"
311 is "sea chest, heavy". I don't think its an electrical item. Most likely rocker panel or other texture, undercoating, Or   
                                      some sort of waterproofing enclosure.

Edit: 313. Could it be the way the vehicle was packaged in a sea container for shipping?

[Pagoda_84]

He he, good question! That is an SA [the 313] I have never encountered (or noted) before.
We must find out together, in this group, what is behind that cloudy description.
BTW, SA 232 is rear axle ratio 1:4.08
Nameless, how is the situation with the undershields (SA 481), are they still on this SL? I have only ever seen them illustrated in the parts books, never on a car.
/Hans S

Are you sure about that with the axle? On the options page is says 232 can be a number of ratios and the only way to check is to look at the actual differential... I didnt type the specs, the ratio was sent to me by Mercedes.

[perry113]

Here are the pics.

What an awesome color combination.

[Pagoda_84]

What an awesome color combination.

Thank you! It's 158 - White Grey body.  Interior is 242 - Red Leather.

The hard top is currently painted Black but is actually supposed to be 181 - Light Beige.

[mbzse]

Are you sure about that with the axle? On the options page is says.../...

Hello Nameless, Yes I'm sure. What "options page" are you referring to?
There is a list of SA (options) in the "Tech Manual" section of this Forum.
/Hans S

[mbzse]

313 is "sea chest, light"
Edit: 313. Could it be the way the vehicle was packaged in a sea container for shipping?

To me, that sounds plausible. The word "sea" leans towards something to do with transport; normally a car is not connected with that word.
/Hans S

[Pagoda_84]

Hello Nameless, Yes I'm sure. What "options page" are you referring to?
There is a list of SA (options) in the "Tech Manual" section of this Forum.
/Hans S

Hi Hans, I am referring to the same page as you from the 'Tech Manual'.. perhaps I am misunderstanding? Refer to the statement about code 232:

'212   Hinterachse 1: 3.92   Rear axle ratio 1: 3.92. This ratio was standard in the US from 280SL 011132 until end of production.

With codes 212, 232, 255 various rear axle ratios were available. The actual ratio is stamped on the rear axle housing itself; the early location of this number was in the rear, the later location on the left side of the differential (40).'

Jonathon

[mbzse]

.../... the statement about code 232:
'212   Hinterachse 1: 3.92   Rear axle ratio 1: 3.92.../...

Ok Jonathon, now look a bit further down you'll see:
"232 Hinterachse  1:4.08 Rear axle ratio 1:4.08. This ratio was standard in the US from 250SL 002442 to 280SL 011131 "
/hans s

[Pagoda_84]

Ok Jonathon, now look a bit further down you'll see:
"232 Hinterachse  1:4.08 Rear axle ratio 1:4.08. This ratio was standard in the US from 250SL 002442 to 280SL 011131 "
/hans s

I already read that before I sent it to you.. but doesn't that conflict with information earlier in the same document saying the ratio could vary for option 232?

As I say, Mercedes Benz sent me the ratio for the car, it's possible that they made a mistake and the ratio is indeed 4.08, I just don't want to rule it out until we are absolutely sure. Perhaps it's best I check the axle case just to confirm 100%. I'm sure you are right, just want to confirm.

[mbzse]

481 under-shields are thick heavy metal plates under the car. They cover the engine and transmission. I think also the fuel tank?

Here is an illustration from the Parts book. Jonathon, if these plates are no longer there under the car, you should perhaps be able to see the mounting points.
/Hans S

[Pagoda_84]

Here is an illustration from the Parts book. Jonathon, if these plates are no longer there under the car, you should perhaps be able to see the mounting points.
/Hans S

Thanks for that.. I just checked the car and they are all there!!!!

[mbzse]

Thanks for that.. I just checked the car and they are all there!

OK, very interesting. I would venture to say, your Pagoda car must surely be one of very few in the world with these under-shields mounted...

For the benefit of our Group here, please take some pictures of your car with the shields, preferably from beneath with car on a lift or similar.
/Hans S

[DaveB]

They're more common in countries with a lot of unsealed roads. I've seen them on a couple of local cars (Western Australia) and one ex-South African 280SL.

[Pagoda_84]

They're more common in countries with a lot of unsealed roads. I've seen them on a couple of local cars (Western Australia) and one ex-South African 280SL.

Mine is ex-South African 280SL. What colour was the one you saw it on?

[DaveB]

It was a light colour, maybe a beige. It also had an oil bath air cleaner and all-red tail lights.

[Pagoda_84]

It was a light colour, maybe a beige. It also had an oil bath air cleaner and all-red tail lights.

Pretty sure that would be my car... manual 280sl? Mine has all red tails.. Red interior.. bash plate.. and I bought it from WA and sent it around to Sydney by sea freight.