Ivory steering wheel option

[zak]

A small point here, but worth asking...
Recently I have read in 3 different postings on other sites saying that the ivory steering wheel option did not come with an ivory shift knob on Pagodas.
The shift knob would have been black.
I have seen many ivory wheel/ ivory shift knob combinations and a few that had a black shift knob with the ivory steering wheel.
Which combo was factory correct, or was it variable ?
Thanks for any insight,

jz

[Jordan]

Zak, good question.  I've not really been sure about what is correct.  It was my assumption that an ivory steering wheel and ivory shift knob went together.  I also painted my hand brake knob ivory as well.

[mbpaul]

I do not know about variations but my 1966 230SL came with an ivory steering wheel and a black shift knob.  Neither have been changed since the car was delivered February 1966.

[ScouseJames]

My ex USA ‘66 230SL had the ivory wheel and black gearshift knob when I bought it.
I have since replaced it with an ivory one.

[JedinDetroit]

For what its worth, my 1966 Euro W111 250SE Coupe has an original (appearing) ivory steering wheel and black shift knob. I just bought the car last year so cant confirm how it was delivered new but after reading this post I suspect it was delivered as it is now.

jed

[Klaus Pieper]

My 1965 230 SL also has an ivory steering wheel with a black gear shift knob. I have had the car for over 20 years, but whether any of those two component are original equipment or not I can not vouch for.

[zak]

So it's still a small mystery then. Maybe more will chime in about the shift knob color.
Another question comes to mind about ivory steering wheels - what was the original color of the horn pad from the factory ?
Was it a generic ivory color like the many I see, or was it color matched to the interior color as I see in ScouseJames's 230SL photo?

jz

[lreppond]

Since there are OEM gear shifters for both manual and automatic transmissions in ivory, I’d be VERY surprised if cars with ivory steering wheels didn’t come with matching knobs.  I believe the 230s even had ivory buttons for the hand brake. 

Certain restoration companies have offered hubs in colors to match the interior. This is merely a consumer’s choice but not one ever offered as an OEM product. Ive also seen sun visors re-upholstered in matching colors to the interior.  When originally manufactured, visors always matched the headliner. 

[MikeSimon]

I have all kind of pictures of cars with different combinations from contemporary magazine tests, brochures and later images. There are Black wheels with black shifter knobs both AT and MT, ivory wheels with black knob and ivory knobs for both transmissions and even one of a black wheel with ivory knob. I think this is one of these questions that can be answered only by those who bought their car new and still own it, or someone at MB who is able and willing to share this info. One thing I can say, though, is that all 190SL pictures I have seen of cars with ivory wheels have ivory shifter knob. Maybe it is a cosmetic feature that owners adapted from the 190SL and not a MB feature.
The pad on the steering wheel, however, I think was always an ivory shade matching the wheel, not the interior

[BobH]

Have a look on here for the various model years.  Seems that early cars had dark (black/dark grey) grab handles and ashtray covers and later cars were colour matched to the upholstery

In issue 63 Peter Ustinov is sitting in a car with an ivory wheel and matching gear knob.  Perhaps it was up to the customer to ask if they wanted an ivory or black gear knob, or it was just pot luck?

Doesn't answer the question re wheel pads, but safe to say ivory probably had white/cream pads, and black had black or dark grey.  Maybe they were also colour matched in later years

http://oudemercedesbrochures.nl/W113.html

[Merc_Girl]

Doesn't answer the question re wheel pads, but safe to say ivory probably had white/cream pads, and black had black or dark grey.  Maybe they were also colour matched in later years

http://oudemercedesbrochures.nl/W113.html

I agree. Albeit I’m no expert, it would not surprise me at all if customers were able to choose which coloured ‘knob’ they preferred given they probably could choose the steering wheel colour?

Ps I have an ivory wheel and knob but couldn’t say if original colour combo

[demichae]

That's an awesome link.  Great resource for original photos; thank you!  Saw this one form '63, note the white shifter.

[Jonny B]

Also, take the sales brochures with a grain or two of salt. A number of time the photos were pre-production models, etc.

Don't get me wrong, they are a great resource, but can sometimes be misleading.

[Merc_Girl]

I know I’m being simplistic, but does it really matter? Maybe just do what you like, especially given there is no definitive answer? 😁

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

It all comes down to the "Blue Blazer and Straw Hat" people if that is something that an owner might care about.

JB

[mdsalemi]

...A number of time the photos were pre-production models, etc...

Like the photos of the Pagoda with "gangsta" extra wide 2" whitewall tires?? 

[MikeSimon]

  the "Blue Blazer and Straw Hat" people

JB

I think I coined that phrase. Maybe I should charge royalties...

[zak]

I am going both ways.
I painted a blank black ball with tan house trim paint and it is a pretty good match. I actually got 2 comments from classic car novices that the "ivory" ball really stood out and matched the ivory wheel.
I also have a black ball with the 4 spd pattern on it that I am keeping black. So I can switch and go both ways.

BTW, i think this is part of the fun - searching out these fine details on our cars.

jz   

[lreppond]

BTW, i think this is part of the fun - searching out these fine details on our cars.

jz   

Zak…I get it.  I feel the same way!  Trying to put our cars back to what they once were is not only fun, but it will keep the originality of the model going.  I grant you, it’s a small somewhat insignificant detail, but how is this any different than getting the right decal on the right location? 

[Merc_Girl]

It all comes down to the "Blue Blazer and Straw Hat" people if that is something that an owner might care about.

JB

But how would they know, given eminent folk on this site do not have a definitive answer?

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

Unfortunately while there are very knowledgeable judges (including understanding specific differences between 230, 250 and 280SL models), there are also those who believe themselves expert and are not.

In most cases, judged cars never get to see the digs or the reason for digs on a judged car including a minus for black vs white for example

An good example: I was once digged for "wrong taillights."  Later I learned that the digging judge was from Italy and assumed all taillights should have amber turn signals

[zoegrlh]

John so true. I got digs for a rear fog light, judge not realizing that a European specs car delivered in Germany was built with rear fog light (as per Data Card).  Rear fog lights were mandatory in Germany back in 1970.  I did appeal the judge and was given the lost points back. I have a reprint copy in German of MB build sheets that tell you all of the combinations of colors, exterior and interior groupings, but no mention of steering wheels and shift knob colors that would be built with a color grouping. Must be what ever color was in the parts bins at the time the car came thru the line.

[perry113]

My 1965 230SL did in fact come with a black automatic shift and optional Ivory steering wheel. I knew my car from late 70's so I believe both were original.
Many years I bought an Ivory shift knob to match the wheel.