early and later

[knittel]

At what Vin # is a 230sl a early or later production car? And at what Vin # did the  spare tire change from the tire pit to a flat trunk?     

[66andBlue]

At what Vin # is a 230sl a early or later production car?     

Almost impossible to answer. When do you consider a person to be old?   

And at what Vin # did the  spare tire change from the tire pit to a flat trunk?

The spare tire location changed from right to left with VIN 007205.
The wooden bow in the folding top frame was completely eliminated with VIN 007641.
Some "W113 historians" consider these VIN numbers to be the demarcation between "early" and "late".
Others consider the change from the 5.5J x14H  to the 6.0J x14H rim at VIN 005496 to be a proper demarcation.
But my guess is that there are as many opinions as there are 230SL owners. 😁

[WRe]

Hi,
on the occasion of the introduction of the new models W108/109 in August 1965 MB announced a so called "Teilmodernisierung" (part modernization) for the 230SL models starting with VIN 12343 (mass produced from VIN 12467, Aug.6, 1965) with several new features (trunk light, new door and window handles, new uniform clutch and brake fluid container, new seat and floor construction, etc.) but without the new introduced 2.5l/M129 engine to discourage any rumors of an new model (250SL).
Today we would call it "MoPf" Modellpflege in New German facelift.
During the lifetime of the 230SL MB changed or add ca. 450 features, up to Aug. 1965 nearly 400 (see Engelen: 250SL ~ 35; 280SL ~75 changes).
...WRe

[knittel]

Well that cleared the muddy water. As with any production sport car of that era   be it the 230sl or the Porsche. Changes were a on going part of the building the cars. With 400 plus changes the 230sl line I can see that defining line from Early to Later is just not there. {pick the number that makes you happy}As I am new to the pagoda world {Last Month} so I am learning history And the cars.  Will be asking question as I go Thanks. Alfred K   

[Jowe]

As a full member you may read the Pagoda notes, starting from Volume 9 Issue 4, a series of all the production modifications made over the years. See https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Restricted/PagodaNotes