Fender notches

[Mark Sean]

I need a couple of "expert" opinions.

I just found out my body shop guy filled in the original "notches" on the fenders by the lights yesterday.

Big disconnect.

Should I have him remove the body filler or let it go?



Mark
1971 280sl

[Douglas]

Has he painted it yet?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[Mark Sean]

it has not been painted.

Mark
1971 280sl

[Mark Sean]

No it is not painted.

quote:Originally posted by Douglas

Has he painted it yet?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

Mark
1971 280sl

[Douglas]

In my opinion then, you should have him do it right. If it bothers you enough to even hesitate, then do it. Chances are, you'll kick yourself down the road for not doing it. (You'll also be annoyed at yourself when people ask where the notches are & you know they were once there.)

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[A Dalton]

<<(You'll also be annoyed at yourself when people ask where the notches are & you know they were once there.)
>>
..and of all the things I can think of, that is probably the First thing a fellow 113 owner will look for, by far..

[Jonny B]

I would absolutely agree, have the notches put in. It will drive you crazy later. Whenever I see a new (to me) 113 it is one of the first things I look for to see if the car has been done right.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[Tom230sl]

Absolutely must do.

Anyone who knows anything about these cars looks for it.

3/4" in length.

& you won't have to think about it again.

[hauser]

Undo the damage now before it's too late!  Not having the notches will always raise eyebrows.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[Douglas]

Do you have the original fenders on the car?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[Benz Dr.]

They're actually smaller than 3/4 inch. Probably about 15mm. I saw one with 25,000 original miles the other day that was never touched so I made a note of the size. These mrks are small and not very deep - maybe 1 or 2 mm

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org

[knirk]

Since I don't speak this language daily I guess a (possibly) stupid question is in order: What is a fender notch?

Per G. Birkeland
69 280 sl aut 834
Norway

[Vince Canepa]

Pardon me if I am stating something that is already known, but the notches are not in the fenders - they are in the filler (originally lead) that covers a diagonal joint at the end of the upper crosspiece/inner fender.  In covering the joint, extra lead was applied to give material to form the notch.  That is why they are so often left out by body shops.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[mdsalemi]

Gents,

Vince is 100% correct.  These are fabricated details created simply to continue a line of detail that begins on the chrome trim surround on the headlight.  They are created with filler.

It is the #1 sign that someone knows what they are doing on 113 body work or doesn't.  Get it right or you will forever be made to feel that your body work is 2nd class.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[J. Huber]

I am going contrarian on part of this. First, let me say my notches are gone. (I know, I know, no one will ever want my car...)

Why are they missing? Apparently the car was in an "altercation" in 1978. The records from the PO show the nose panel and headlamp lenses replaced. However, the original lenses came with the sale. Slightly cracked but usable. An early inspection of front end when we bought car in 1980 showed no damage to suspension or frame. This was a fairly minor crash by all indications, but in 1978, body shops got in and got out. In hindsight we look for things like fender notches on "milestone" vintage cars -- in the early days, I don't think it necessarily meant crappy body work.

But since this is 2005 -- and you caught it -- have them put em in!

James
63 230SL

[Ed Cave]

To learn more about and see photos of original Headlight Notches go to the link below. Just read part way down the page until you come to it. Clicking on the photo of the notch opens another shot from a different angle. Hope this is helpful to this discussion.

http://www.motoringinvestments.com/RestoLog.htm

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA


1971 280SL
1973 911S
2004 A4 3.0 (wife)
2006 GS430

[Mark Sean]

Yes I believe so.

quote:Originally posted by Douglas

Do you have the original fenders on the car?

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

Mark
1971 280sl

[Douglas]

In that case, you want to make sure to preserve all the original touches in and around the engine bay. Take a look at Ed's car in the early stages of its restoration. You'll see what I mean. Brian Peters and Ed did a terrific job of preserving yet restoring, at the same time.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[Mike Hughes]

Make them redo that area of both fenders to include the notches.  Thke them photos of what the finished product should look like.  If there is someone in your area with a properly notched Pagoda who would be willing to let them look at the car, so much the better.  Don't allow them to complete the work without proper notches!

- Mike Hughes  -ô¿ô-
  1966 230SL Auto P/S
  Havanna Brown (408)
  Light Beige (181)
  Cream M-B Tex (121)

[Raymond]

Mark, this advice may be too late for you, but I pass it along to others who are preparing to paint their cars.

Before I took my car to the body shop a couple of weeks ago, I wrote all over it with grease pencil, (china marker).  I circled every detail including "the eyebrows",(nicer term than notches)and wrote what I wanted done right on the car.  I also provided a printed page with the details listed and walked around the car with the shop manager.  We discussed every thing on the list and where that was on the car.  I left a copy of the list with him, and one in the interior.  He really appreciated the detailed information.

They aren't finished yet, but I took every precaution I could.  No matter how good the craftsmen, you can't count on them to be Concours judges or mind readers.  

Everyone here is correct.  Now is the time to get it right.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[glcg123]

Here is a picture of where the notch is relative to the dimple on the headlight bezel. My car has never been in an accident and has original paint. Therefore this should be the exact position.

Hope this helps.

George

1965 230sl
4-speed

Download Attachment: Notch.jpg
36.77 KB

[69280sl]

Dumb question, are the "notches" innies or outies. I always thought they project up out of the fender to follow the contour of the chrome trim, but one of the pictures on this thread looks like it is struck into the fender.

Obviously I dont have them, but I want to get it right on my next pagoda.

Thanks

Gus in Illinois

inspectorgm

[Douglas]

If I understand your question correctly, they're "innees."

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[pagodapete]

Definitly fix those notches.

Brian Peters
Motoring Investments

[Douglas]

Here's an excellent photo from Brian Peters' very informative site:

http://www.motoringinvestments.com/RL_notch.htm

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220