California Coupe

[JN]

I have a California Coupe 4/17 data code
It is a 1967 250 SL, as seen in my profile picture.
Dark Red with Caviar interior
Does anyone know or can any one help me find out
how many California Coupes were made in 1967 ?
I saw total production numbers in the Technical Manual

Thank You
JN

[Vander]

I believe all 250SL California coupes are 1967 model, as 5,177 of the 5,196 250SL made were made in that single year.

So the total production number for california coupe should all be 1967

[JN]

Thanks John

Maybe I didn't ask the question properly.
What I am asking is how many California coupes are there?

JN

[mbzse]

I have a California Coupe 4/17 data code.../... help me find out
how many California Coupes were made in 1967 ?

There are no specific numbers published by Mercedes. An estimate would be 2 to 3 % of all 250SL and 280 SL were SA41/7 Coupé,
i.e delivered without softtop compartment.

So, say 100 to 150 of the 5,196 produced  250 SL cars (?)

[JN]

Thank You for the information.
It is much appreciated!

JN

[MikeSimon]

What do you base the percentage estimate on, Hans? I remember another discussion about the Coupé with a higher number.

[mbzse]

What do you base the percentage estimate on, Hans?.../...

Relevant question... Was long ago when I bought my own metallic green California Coupé (2008, subsequently sold), so I do not have clear memories.
At the time, I discussed this with many Mercedes guys "in the scene", and also my own gut feeling based on the ratio I have encountered over 25 years.
Furthermore, the numbers in for instance the German Club Pagode.
But, certainly a subject up for discussion. As mentioned, there is no official table from the Factory to look at.

To confuse the matter, a number of SA 41/7 cars have been modified. Their bodywork cut and welded, and a soft top compartment has thus been fitted to them
(as well as a soft top frame, as a result late type soft top frames are hard to come by, and expensive).

[114015]

...To put sand into the tank here ...

I personally think the number of 41/7 California coupés is slightly higher than 2 - 3 %.
885 Pagodas (= 1.8%) were built with ZF 5-speed but this option is much more rare than the option code 41/7.
Instead, 41/7s cars are more often around; you see them from while to while on the Events.
Perhaps 5% or so...; but as Hans indicated, no official factory (-published) numbers available here.


Achim

[Raymond]

At a PUB once, we had 3 California Coupes out of the 35 or so Pagodas.  Anecdotally, that would be about 8-1/2%.  Not at all scientific but an indication that it's probably higher than 3%.
 

[Benz Dr.]

I've seen three cars in Ontario, two of which I worked on. Not common at all.

[Garry]

At the 50th Pagoda Anniversary  gathering where there were 58 cars here in Australia, i think we had three California coupes this making up just over 6%

[mbzse]

I now found a note I made; in 1999 the statistics of the German Club Pagode indicate
that 2,4% of member's 250 and 280 SL were SA 41/7 cars, w/o soft top or soft top frame compartment (i.e. California Roadsters)

[balimatharu]

Sorry to butt in.
I own a 250sl California. UK supplied RHD.
I think this could be the rarest pagoda.
So I am having trouble finding some parts.
Any of you guys could help me to locate the rubber seal that goes  on the body (back end) and the hard top sits on it.

Thanks

[Garry]

Bali,


Have you tried at the Classic Mercedes Centre ( Tom Hanson) in Irvine CA or the German Classic Centre. They are going to probably be your best bet.


Garry

[Benz Dr.]

Sorry to butt in.
I own a 250sl California. UK supplied RHD.
I think this could be the rarest pagoda.
So I am having trouble finding some parts.
Any of you guys could help me to locate the rubber seal that goes  on the body (back end) and the hard top sits on it.

Thanks

I had to get one about 20 years ago and found it at Bud's Benz.

[dpreston Virginia]

Speaking of California Coupes and Buds Benz.
They just finished a restoration on a California Coupe and added a convertible top and a boot cover like the 111 Mercedes.
Looked great and you could use it as a convertible not just a hard top car.

[mbzse]

.../...a California Coupe and added a convertible top and a boot cover like the 111 Mercedes.../...

I did such a conversion, welded in mounts for a soft top frame. Made the SL just like a normal SL sans the soft top lid.
There was no divider/wall present, to form a soft top compartment, and this design worked fine.
I enclose a picture. The black canvas cover was bespoke

[dpreston Virginia]

I did such a conversion, welded in mounts for a soft top frame. Made the SL just like a normal SL sans the soft top lid.
I enclose a picture. The black canvas cover was bespoke

That looks great. Smart conversion.

[Desertpagoda]

I also had a '67 250sl California Coupe, or as some used to call them a "Belgian" coupe. Silver/Caviar, 4spd manual, Italian delivery and an Oris hitch!

[RobSirg]

I have seen a lot of 250SL’s as a Californian Coupe, so l think the % is higher than we all think ( higher % than 230SL’s and 280SL’s).

Of course MB could easily answer these questions so we don’t have to keep estimating .......but that’s the subject of my previous post

[mbzse]

.../...higher % than 230SL’s.../...

Well, for the 230SL the percentage is 0 

[MikeSimon]

...and as the total number of 250SLs is significantly lower than that of 280SLs the percentage is likely higher.....

[JN]

I really like that conversion and also the moss green metallic paint!

JN