Are all 280sl's suppose to have some of the engine parts in a bronze color?

[chrislohrcdm]

My 1969 280sl has been in my family its whole life.  I bought it from my mom in 1994. I have recently had the engine rebuilt because it sat for awhile.  I have noticed that in some 280sl's I've seen, some of the engine lines/parts are coated with something that is a bronze color.  As far as I can remember this engine never had that. Are all 280sl's suppose to have some of the engine parts in a bronze color?  If so, what is it and should I have those parts recoated?

Thanks for your help.

[Baybear]

 I think you are referring to the cadmium plating. See this site for nice examples. https://motoringinvestments.com/historic/MainPage.htm. View the restorations, engine final pictures page.
Will

[chrislohrcdm]

Thank you so much.  Was this standard on all engines for a 1969 280sl do you know?

[wwheeler]

There are many, many references to this plating on the site. Basically there are two - yellow zinc and yellow CAD. The zinc and the CAD are the base metal and the yellow is the chromate that gives it the color.

[TheEngineer]

mine is a '69 and my lines are a dull grey and I have two more sets of injection lines and they are grey also.

[Shvegel]

Yes all W113’s had yellow cadmium plated hardware and lines with the possible exception of a couple of cars ordered with Show detailed engines.  The yellow chromate doesn’t last more than a few years and the lines turn grey the rusty as the plating fails.  It isn’t very expensive to redo but it can take some time removing and installing it.

[Taleb]

Hi Chris ,
These are the bronz parts in my pagoda ....

[mbzse]

.../... Are all 280sl's suppose to have some of the engine parts in a bronze color?

These are official factory colour photos, from the sixties. Useful reference