Tom Hanson's new contact info at Classic Center

[Tom Colitt]

Here is Tom Hanson's new email address at the Classic Center that will be opening in Southern California (Irvine) on the 13th of November. Let's see if we can get him to give the guys in Sindlefingen a liitle nudge and, let's say re-create the original firewall padding or some other delicious little item like that.

thomas.hanson@mbusa.com

Regards, Tom Colitt
Classic Autos, L.A.

Tom Colitt

[Chad]

Speaking f that, I just do not understand why something as simple as the firewall pad can not be made to have the same pattern as the original, They opted to put this grainy pattern on it that is incrrect, so why not just opt to put the original pattern instead.  It seems so dumb.

-CD-
1967 230SL, 113.042 10
1983 300TDT, 123.193

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by Chad

Speaking f that, I just do not understand why something as simple as the firewall pad can not be made to have the same pattern as the original, They opted to put this grainy pattern on it that is incrrect, so why not just opt to put the original pattern instead.  It seems so dumb.

-CD-
1967 230SL, 113.042 10
1983 300TDT, 123.193

Chad, you have to understand the auto industry.  In MB's case, simply having a part available is in most respects, good enough.  The finish on it is somewhat less important.

Many finishes have changed over the years.  True CAD plating has yielded to zinc, then to simply paint.  Surface textures are changing as materials change and vendors change.  Certain colors are hardly obtainable due to hazardous ingredients that made the original.

Your average parts buyer at MB probably isn't even aware that this textural change on the firewall pad is such an issue with 113 owners.  That's the part where the Classic Center comes in however, and perhaps Tom can suggest it, and see where it goes.

One additional thing to keep in mind however, is if a part is very commonly available by third party sources, it is unlikely whether MB will invest the time and money to create yet another source.  How many firewall pads do you think they can sell?

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

[Tom Colitt]

That all said and being true, maybe we could still raise the question with Tom. After all there were tens of thousands of these cars made. I'm sure if all the owners who had retrofitted to the newer version, went back to the original, in time, they could sell several thousand right there.

Classic Autos, L.A,

Tom Colitt

[Tom230sl]

Consider that the original pads are made of a flame retardant material that you could hold a torch to and are made with asbestos.  I'm sure you could argue that a replacement material could be developed, with a similar look, but at a cost.  Add in the tooling costs to make the original pattern which would raise the unit cost for the few fanatics out there (10-30 perhaps) willing to pay for it.  Combine that with the fact that there is a perfectly usable pad (although incorrect surface) on the market for cheap and that the "masses" are happy with, you see why it doesn't make it economical viable for them.

[rwmastel]

quote:Originally posted by mdsalemi

One additional thing to keep in mind however, is if a part is very commonly available by third party sources, it is unlikely whether MB will invest the time and money to create yet another source.  How many firewall pads do you think they can sell?

Micheal,
So, you know of a third party providing the proper pattern?  I think lots of people would be interested!

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420