California Coupe cockpit to hardtop seal fit

[Cogwell]

I am having trouble getting a proper fitting seal for the rear seal that goes between the cockpit and the hardtop for my 67 California Coupe. This is a different seal than the one for the soft top versions. The one in the attached pictures is from Buds Benz and leaves significant gaps. It is a compilation of two different widths of rubber and different colours with the grey rubber fitting reasonably well and the black not being wide enough to fill the channel. Does anyone know of a supplier with a properly fitting black seal?

As well, does anyone have pictures of the finish for the rear inside cockpit channel. I believe it is a piece of leather trim that tucks into the channel between the seal and the outer lip and runs down to join the carpeted back of the cockpit. If you have any pictures of how this was done originally, I would appreciate seeing them.

I have attached pictures of the seal, the seal in the channel from above, and the area where I have asked about the finish.

Thanks, Ian

[Raymond]

Hi Ian, Unfortunately, I don't have access to the hardtop hoist at the moment, but I hope these may provide some clues.
The back area is covered with the same carpet as the floor.  There is a turnbuckle style hook that holds the center of hardtop down.  Let me know if there is a particular angle you'd like.  I'll try to get some shots tomorrow, if needed.

[Cogwell]

Raymond,

What is the material finishing the inner side of the seal channel above the carpet?w I understood it was a strip of upholstery but this doesn’t look to be the case for your car.

Thanks for the assistance,

Ian

[Raymond]

Okay.  The shiny black strip above the carpet and below the seal.  That is a strip of vinyl that wraps continuously from one B-pillar to the other.  It is glued to the body.  Judging only from the state of my car when I bought it 20 years ago, this has never been touched.  I do not believe it is MB Tex as it doesn't appear to be that thick.  Its 84 inches long and I'd guess about 4 inches wide.

Thanks for making me look so close that I notice it's peeling off.  All I needed is one more fiddly task.   

[Benz Dr.]

The opening or hatch cover seal is different on the coupe version. Much thicker than the standard seal.

[Cogwell]

Hi Dan,

Do you know where I can get the proper California Coupe seal that is the proper width through its entire length and is also solid black in colour and not two tone?

Ian

[Benz Dr.]

Last time I got one from Bud's Benz.

[Tx246]

I am looking for this rubber. Anyone know what Mercedes part number it is?

[Tx246]

Pic 1

[Tx246]

Another pic

[Tx246]

Another

[Tx246]

Anyone know what I need and the part number?

[zoegrlh]

Have you contacted the Classic Center?  I am sure they can lead you to the correct part number. I just looked in the parts catalog and there is no reference to the seal  for California Coupe in the options section. Sorry.

[Pawel66]

I also went through Mercedes system, but failed to find reference to this seal. For hard top - it is there, but not this one.

[Cogwell]

It has been awhile since I ordered this seal. I tried one from Buds that seemed too high and did not fully fill the channel. I got one from Mercedes Classics in California that my restorer is happy with for how it filled the channel and was finished at the B pillar, although we have not fit the hardtop as yet.

[BobH]

Is it 113 750 03 77?  perhaps when you search "California Coupe", it may not get recognised, maybe MB refer to it as something else

https://www.authenticclassics.com/Rear-Seal-for-California-Coupe-Hardtop-230SL-p/auth-002499.htm

If this is correct i'll pop it in the tech manual for others to find 

[Lorsar]

That could be it Bob.  When I searched that number, I found:

https://parts.theslshop.com/mercedes-benz-w113-rear-roof-seal-for-california-coupe-1137500377/

https://mbparts.mbusa.com/oem-parts/mercedes-benz-weatherstrip-seal-vlrub-1137500377?srsltid=AfmBOoq-JBWziyVHwg3Y3nHrhwJAS5rwAb5T2sJkp4aDoL2nWAuBexYN

[Pawel66]

I am not sure if this is the part that is being searched for here.

What you are talking about is the hard top rear bottom seal. Yes, it is different for California coupe than in regular cars. It is available at Mercedes and from several other vendors.

At least that is how it is described in Authentic Classics and SL Shop (in Mercedes system it is just called "Frame"). Make sure it is what you are looking for.

As for the option for the car, I am not sure, but it may be Z 55.658 TONNEAU TOP ON CARS LESS COLLAPSIBLE TOP; L.H.D. ONLY, it is in Group 69. I do not see content of parts for this SA code in the system, unfortunately.

[Tx246]

So, according to the MB Classic Center, the correct part number is:

113-790-00-83

I am completely confused as to what the difference is between this part number and 113-750-03-77

They both look similar and possibly correct but there is a pretty big price difference.

I would prefer to order the correct rubber seal, but not even sure how accurate MB Classic Center is. They were extremely helpful but honestly just as perplexed as to what was the actual piece needed.

This once again brings me back to the how many California coops can there actually be? It would seem that this wouldn’t be that hard of a part to track down as every California coupe in theory would need.

[BobH]

I don't have a California coupe, but there's quite a lot written on the German forum, and on there the 113-750-03-77 seal is confirmed as the correct part number.  113-790-00-83 is the seal for standard W113's

MB never referred to the option as a California Coupe, so it's not surprising that dealers or the Classic Centre get confused

Authentic Classics and Niemoller list both seals, Authentic Classics state theirs are genuine MB parts, and the prices for both are similar

When i looked at our registry list and searched California Coupe, there were probably less than 10 listed, i think out of about 800 registrations, but this could be misleading due to the descriptions used.  When i looked at the German forum, it looks like there are no definitive numbers of these cars produced, best estimates seem to be as little as 2% ordered with this option, but this could be pure speculation

[Pawel66]

So, according to the MB Classic Center, the correct part number is:

113-790-00-83

I am completely confused as to what the difference is between this part number and 113-750-03-77

I do not think so. The part number you quoted is the rear bottom hard top seal for regular cars.  This seal is glued to hard top.

A113 750 0377 is described by vendors who sell it as "hard top seal for california coupe". This would suggest it also goes glued to hard top (which is not what you are showing on the picture). Maybe it is best to ask the vendors where it goes exactly? Maybe their description is inaccurate?

Also look here: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/ChassisBody/BodyStyles

And perhaps try search function.

[BobH]

Assuming all hardtops were the same, for both standard cars and California Coupes, apart from the difference between the tops for early and late cars, then all hardtops would need the same glued seal, 113 790 0083

California Coupes would also need the seal fitted to the body, 113 750 0377, this shouldn't be described as a "hard top seal" it's a seal between the hard top and the body

If that's the case what is the part number for the seal fitted to the body for standard cars, i assume there is one?  could it be 001 987 61 25, part of the chrome trim?