Pinstripes

[MOliverMc]

Hi Everyone,

There is a beautifully restored '71 280SL on B.A.T. in metallic blue; a very pretty car.  The photographs which document the restoration process are particularly informative and interesting. 

In the auction comments, the following post was made regarding originality:

As an owner of a W113 Pagoda since 1987, I never understand completely why during a major restoration, things are not done to original specs. This car was originally Tobacco Brown. The wood on these cars were in a matte finish, not high gloss. The wheel wells were body color, not black, etc. Why place pin stripes at all? Yuck! I realize it’s all personal preference but in a major restoration like this, they could have gotten it correct in my opinion. To me, these “un-original” changes devalue the car.

I have no beef with everyone having their own opinion.  My question is about the pinstripes.  I have read elsewhere on this forum that pinstripes were never provided by the factory - is that true?  The paint on my '64 230Sl is black with gold/tan pinstripes and it is definitely the original paint.  The original owner took delivery at the factory and enjoyed driving it around Europe before shipping it back to the U.S.  Perhaps he had the pinstripes added upon returning to the states.  I'll probably never know, but I have to admit that I think they look terrific..

[lreppond]

When my dad purchased his w113 in 1971, the selling dealer (Rossi Motors, San Rafael, CA) routinely sold their cars with pin stripping added.  It’s my understanding that this was done by someone at the dealer.  The stripping added a whopping $40 to the sales price!! 

So not a factory thing but a dealer add-on like the FrigiKing AC units.  I have no idea if this devalues the car but I can tell you after all these years, it just looks right. 

[bogeyman]

It was a dealer profit center, like chrome wheels.

[Jonny B]

Most likely the profit center. These cars never came with pinstripes from the factory.

[MOliverMc]

I just learned from the 2nd owner that he had the pinstripes done by a local sign maker - this must have been in the early 70's...  I must say, this fantastic website keeps exposing me to information that elicits questions, and as a result I keep learning about these cars and this car..  Thanks everyone!