Small Headrests

[CCollum]

I have a 1964 230SL Euro model with what can only be the original interior. This particular vehicle has the small headrests that do not look like the ones that became standard several years later. I have seen these sort of headrests on Pagodas but only rarely -- I'd say three times ever; and they were all exactly the same so I expect they were an early MB option. Does anyone know the particulars on these headrests? I don't think they are very attractive and am tempted to change them out to match the version that became standard later on. I honestly prefer to have no headrests at all, but am inclined to keep them for safety reasons.

[mbzse]

Headrests for the W113 were not available from M-B, neither as option nor standard, before Summer of 1968 (i.e. 280SL /8)
After  W113.044 chassis No 4052 onwards (July 1968). For US delivery Pagodas they were fitted as standard; in the rest of the World an option (SA 573)

[CCollum]

Thanks, Hans. I should have posted a picture earlier.  I just uploaded one with this post.

Do you know if the ones shown in this pic were an aftermarket option? Having seen the exact same ones on other cars (even though only three times that I can remember) just makes me wonder about their origin. The leather matches, but it's possible that the match was spot on and it's all old, or maybe the seats were recovered in matching leather decades back and I just thought they were original.

Thanks for your help.

[mbzse]

.../... Do you know if the ones shown in this pic were an aftermarket option?

Sorry I do not know. May have been aftermarket, from some vendor in the US offering these headrests, not at all associated with MBNA (?)
By what means are the headrests on your SL mounted onto the backrests?

[Garry]

They look similar to many of the headrests that have been fitted post production to pre ’69 cars, some by members here as well. I don’t believe they were offered by MB as an option in the earlier cars.

Garry

[wjsvb ✝︎]

They look like 124 headrests.  They could be installed on 113 seats using the mounting structure from the 124, screwing it to the bracing structure of the 113 seat and cutting holes in the top of the seatback upholstery.  There were also optional headrests on some pontons, finbacks and Adenauers which screwed directly to the metal beneath the seatback card.  If you can remove the HR from its mount and post a closeup pic I can look at the old ones in my shop and maybe ID for sure.  Jon

[CCollum]

By what means are the headrests on your SL mounted onto the backrests?

They have the normal rods that go into the backrests, although I think the spacing is a bit wider than the standard 113 headrest. Haven't measured, but they just seem a bit wider. If the car weren't in the shop I'd go check. Not sure of what is going on inside the backrest though.

[CCollum]

Thanks, Garry & Jon.

I'll go visit the car in the shop and grab a few pics to post.

[scoot]

My 67 250SL has really little (and stupid IMHO) headrests that I've always assumed to be a artifact of some previous owner.  Pics attached.  I assume you don't mean headrests that are THIS little...

[CCollum]

You're right, Scott. They are bit bigger. Will get some pics.

[mazmonza]

These came with a w113 number when I bought them from a Mercedes dealer 35 years ago, unfortunately in those days it didn't seem important to keep any paperworkI .

                                              Maurice

[CCollum]

Maurice, these are the exact same ones I have. Interesting!

[mazmonza]

Yes I thought so, I wouldn't change them.

                               

[scoot]

Those are adorable!

[Iconic]

mazmonza,
Just to be clear, you bought your 250 SL used and it was approximately 15 years old when you bought it, correct? So, you are not claiming that those are original to the car.
As Hans (mbzse) has already stated, "Headrests for the W113 were not available from M-B, neither as option nor standard, before Summer of 1968 ...."
So, they are not original to your '67 or CCollum's '64.

CCollum,
So, what are you going to do? Inquiring minds want to know.
If you are striving for originality, clearly they should be removed. And in your first post you stated you prefer no head rests.
But, if you like them, you should, and probably will keep them. But, if safety is your concern (you also mentioned that in your first post), you should inspect how they are mounted to insure they will truly help when needed, since they were not installed on the production floor in the factory.   
Mark (one interested in originality and safety) 

[Jonny B]

On the 107 cars, the smaller headrests, just as shown in Maurice's picture we installed for the 1980 model year. In 1979 and earlier the 107 headrests were just like the ones on the Pagoda, with the higher "ears". It makes ID of a 1980 450 SL quite easy (at least in the US).

[CCollum]

Maurice, your car is beautiful! That interior is fantastic. And thank you for commenting. That sheds a lot of light.

Mark -- I'm torn. I'll have to look and see if they will be helpful in the event of an accident. I'll probably let safety trump appearance since I drive it quite a bit. When it's not in the shop (haha) I drive it as often as I do my 4Runner. But knowing they are not original to the vehicle does cast an originality vote on the aesthetics side for me. Hmmm.

[CCollum]

Observation...

Since the smaller headrest part number is a 113 number and since the more typical headrests became available/standard for the 113 in 1968, it's interesting that MB would offer the option of a headrest like this that differed from the normal one which would have been available at the same time. I.e., when Maurice got the headrests from MB when his car was 15 years old, it's interesting that MB offered these as an option.

[mazmonza]

The headrests were old stock the garage was selling off when closing down,they had a 113 number so I bought them and a set of seat brackets.
I have owned the car since 1978, it didn't come with headrests, i'm not to concerned about originality I also have 15" road wheels and a non standard steering wheel. After all as soon as you have your first oil change your car is not original.
The 107 headrest is not the same as mine it has more angled sides a different end profile.

[Iconic]

After all as soon as you have your first oil change your car is not original.

mazmonza,
Funny. But no one can see your oil and your headrests are out there for everyone to see.   
Not many people would think you are using the concept of originality correctly. I am sure you are kidding.
For the record, I really don't care about the originality or your car, I only care about the originality of my cars and others that I get to see and enjoy. I am a stong believer that who ever owns a car should do with it whatever they want (as long as they are not infinging on the rights of others).
I was just trying to set the record straight for others who do care about originality.
I won't fault you for not caring about originality as long as you don't fault me for caring.
The OP was asking questions related to originality.

By the way, your exterior color is beautiful, and the combination with the interior is too.
I can appreciate long term ownership. I've owned my Camaro since 1977 when I bought it as a high school Senior as my first car.

Thanks for sharing the information on your headrests. It's so fun putting the puzzle together decades after these cars were designed and built.
Mark

[mazmonza]

Thanks Mark, it was a joke not a personal attack.

                                           Maurice

[Iconic]

Thanks Maurice !

[CCollum]

One more thought on this subject. It just occurred to me the other day that the backrests of the early 230SL's were very well too thin to accommodate the more standard headrest of the later cars. Thus, a smaller headrest as an add-on -- presumably for safety reasons -- would have been a reasonable option from MB, even alongside the more familiar scoop headrests.

[114015]

that the backrests of the early 230SL's were very well too thin to accommodate the more standard headrest of the later cars.

Naah, Collum,

That's not true.    That works very well with the early style seats.
You have not got an early 230 SL. It's a 1964, not a '63. Most likely you have got seat type 2 (from serial 002921 onwards), not Type 1.
Even though the backrest is a bit thinner where the headrest pedestals go, the usual (W108 - W113) headrest will fit.

Look at this picture, this is seat type 1 (a real 1963 car).

And do yourself one more favo(u)r: Pull out the headrest legs a bit so that the headrest reaches at least your neck or a bit beyond - and is not only just an extension of a bit too short backrest - as so often seen especially with US-based cars.


Good luck 

Achim

[mazmonza]

Hi Achim, I like the fitted beer crates, I wish I had thought of that before I wasted time making suitcases !! 

                                        Best wishes
                                                     Maurice