Interior wood trim

[lreppond]

I’m a huge fan of Audrain Museum’s “Mansions and Motorcars” with Donald Osborne and Jay Leno.  In this particular episode they discussed and drove a restored w113.  One thing that struck me was the statement that D-B offered 3 different wood species for w113 trim.  This came as news to me!  I was under the impression that all trim was walnut with a dark brown stain and satin finish.  Anyone know differently?


https://youtu.be/8GWlF4L_AAE

[alpina]

Sounds like they need to replace the brake pedal stop (Part Number is 113 292 00 41) . That annoying clunk lifting of the brake would drive me mad...

[BobH]

According to the upholstery options book, all wood was stained dark walnut, there didn't seem to be an option for any other finish

https://vdhflipbooks.de/books/AUS/AUS1974Typ113/#1

[Jonny B]

Yes, I will second the comment. There were no options for different woods for the Pagoda. Some of the other cars the sky was about the limit, but not the 113.

[Paul99]

My 230 SL 1966 wood is the original. It is a very light oak colour.

[rwmastel]

Pic?

Is it also the same around the hard top rear window?

[Garry]

My 1965 is also light oak both front and hard top.

[MikeSimon]

Maybe the wood trim changed between the models 230-250-280SL???

[Jonny B]

I don't believe the wood changed, perhaps it is due to differences in light exposure in different regions over the years?

[teahead]

awesome video.

Is that water dripping off of it?

[lreppond]

I don't believe the wood changed, perhaps it is due to differences in light exposure in different regions over the years?

I agree.  The differences in stain value more than likely is due to environmental causes. When these cars were manufactured the clear finishes used were not as UV resistant as many are today.  Exposure to sunlight will fade any wood.  In the case of pagodas, the wood trim is directly exposed.  Most trim around the rear window is slightly darker probably due to indirect UV exposure and variations in moisture and heat which can contribute to fading and cracking as well.

[labella]

When I went a M-B dealer in1970 to buy a 280SL,the sales man explained to me that the wood trim did come in 2 different color finishes,light or dark.The subject came up because I wanted the burl that was on the 280SE Conv on the showroom floor.The color choice was not a choice it was what showed up on your SL.

[rwmastel]

Labella,

That's very interesting!  I find that unusual that "you get what you get" would be a Mercedes-Benz way of selling cars.  But, I have also heard stories about part changes that happened on chassis "X" but some random cars beyond that still got the previous style parts until stock ran out.

[Pawel66]

I heard similar message from former, retired factory employee a couple of years ago in Essen, about carpet type - if they had stock of square weave blue, that is what you got in late 280SL.