Option code 519

[66andBlue]

A recent post in the "Wanted to buy"  board started a discussion about the Option Code 51/9. To prevent further hijacking of that thread (https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=31639) I am starting a new one with the specific question:
Was option code 51/9 ever used in a W113?
The list in our Technical Manual shows: 519: Radio Becker Grand Prix, USA
This web site shows several entries for 519: http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~mtor/mbcodedsc.html
Engelen's book includes the last price list for passenger cars published by Daimler in February 1971 and that one stops at option code 51/8.

I wonder whether "alpinaltd" has ever seen a data card with this entry?

If 51/9 was not an option for W113 cars then the discussion of whether it is a mono or stereo radio becomes a moot point. 

[Iconic]

Thank you Alfred !!
Here is my data card, so the 519 (51/9) option does exist on the W113.
I also know others in the group that have 519 including Ralph (neelyrc).
I look forward to this discussion and will add as we go.
Take care,
Mark

[rbouch8828]

With the 533 on my car, I guess the dealer would have been able to supply whatever the customer wanted.

[neelyrc]

...........I also know others in the group that have 519 including Ralph (neelyrc)..........

I am attaching a copy of the confirmation of order for my car showing the 5/19 Becker grand Prix radio.  I collected the car at the factory with the radio installed.  A copy of my data card is also attached.  Mark (Iconic) and I discussed this a couple of years ago and I mentioned to Mark that the original radio was stolen when I shipped the car to the USA in 1970.  The shipment was insured by MB and they paid for the replacement which was purchased through the Birmingham MB dealer.  This radio is still in the car. It is a mono.

[66andBlue]

Thank you Mark and Ralph, that answers my question, option code 61/9 was available when ordering a 280SL.

Ralph, when you ordered your car in Dec. 1968 did you get by chance the salesmen "cheat card", showing the prices for the cars and the optional equipment?
I bought a compilation of copies of these cards and option codes on eBay from a seller who puts them together:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-SPECIAL-EQUIPMENT-W113-280SL-250SL-PAGODA-1968-1971-FOCUS-SL-OPTIONS/333649180834?hash=item4daf0a78a2:g:pPoAAMXQrvpREBjk
 
For 1968 European delivery the card shows that a Becker Grand Prix with signal seeking ("wonderbar"?), Mexico and a Europa were available. However, cars sold here did not have the Grand Prix option, only Mexico and Europa. Strange, why that difference?

For 1971 deliveries there was no difference only Europa AM/FM or Europa AM/FM stereo were the options.

Mark, was yours also a Euro Delivery?

[neelyrc]

Alfred,

I did not get a copy of the “cheat sheet” when I was ordering.  I picked the Grand Prix as I wanted the best radio I could get and it was the most expensive offered.  I note that the price of the radio and automatic antenna on my order confirmation match the prices on the “cheat sheet” in your post above. 

It is hard to understand why the Grand Prix wasn’t offered by the dealers in the USA for 1968.  Could it be that the Becker supply chain was just not ready for suppling this model in volume in the US market.

[alpina]

USA price lists

[GM]

In case it helps the discussion, I just received this master list of Mercedes Code Descriptions from a dealer. You'll see there are multiple versions of the same code number. I also noticed some numbers missing from the Tech Manual.

[66andBlue]

USA price lists

Thanks for these very nice reproductions, DM, much better than what is offered on eBay.
However, you have now opened another can of worms. 
The Oct 1969 order card (for 1970) delivery shows only one radio choice for a 280SL, a Becker Europa AM/FM.

But Mark's vehicle data card for his 1970 280SL shows a USA country code (704) dealer 3456 (sequential numbers, really?  ), yet he got a Grand Prix.
What gives? 🤔

[neelyrc]

For completeness, I offer one further pricing card for model year 1971 dated October, 1970.  Nothing new here except a few different prices. Please excuse the slight discoloration and the crease from folding. The card includes the stamped signature of Rolf A. Sommerkorn.  I do not know if Mr. Sommerkorn was an official of the local MB dealership where I obtained this card or otherwise.

[Iconic]

Yes, Alfred, sequential numbers.  From a statistical point of view, that is as likely as any other sequence. 
As further proof that my car has 519 and 531, here is a picture of my data plate.
Very strange about the pricing card. I have no idea why the Grand Prix is not mentioned. I look at data plates whenever I am checking out a car and I have seen 519 out in the wild, so Ralph's and my car are not the only '70 Pagodas that have Grand Prix radios.

What I was hoping for was to confirm it was the mono available for '70 280 SLs and what the button markings and face plate markings look like. But, we are far from understanding that.

Attached are also pictures of Ralph's period replacement radio and mine. The file names indicate which is which. Ours look very similar or the same except for Ralph's goes to 106 on the FM dial and mine goes to 108.
And, with the last attachment (green car), you will see that sometimes the dial has the LMKU on the right side of the dial, whereas, mine and Ralph's are on the left side of the dial.

[neelyrc]

Mark, there is another slight difference in mine and yours.  You have the letters L BC SW FM on the right side,  I have LW BC SW FM.

[Iconic]

Yes, correct Ralph.
I forgot about that one.
Thanks !

[Iconic]

And here is an example of a Grand Prix mono with LMKUU buttons.
It is on ebay right now (benzrestorer) and he was nice enough to send me a picture of the serial number (which indicates it is a '69).

Maybe those LMKUU buttons were for European delivered cars???

[mmizesko]

My 1970 280SL (april) came with a mono Becker Europa.  But in the footwells, behind the board covering, were mounts for the 4" stereo speakers with 4 screw holes and plenty of clearance for the speakers.  I wanted stereo, so I found a Europa Stereo (maybe from a 71) with an external 7w amp which i mounted behind the glovebox.  I used the DB7 port (which was used for the external cassette player) on the back of the radio for the 3.5mm ipod input, which I mounted next to the cabin light under the dash.  Then bought 2 new 4" becker speakers from Becker autosound in NJ.  happy ever since.

Mike

[m300cab]

Nice going, I have a bunch of old MB speakers, I may  have to give it a try