Author Topic: 250 SL  (Read 7282 times)

n/a

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250 SL
« on: March 22, 2006, 20:25:24 »
I've got a 1968 250 SL with only 58,000 miles.  All original except for the paint.  I hear this model is rather rare and few were manufactured... especially during 1968.  One website I saw said only two were made in 1968.  That sounds pretty improbable, but I'd like to know how to research my own car.  I have title and VIN of course.
Can anyone help me with this question?
Dale Roberts

Jonny B

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2006, 21:25:27 »
Click on the Pagoda SL Group blue block at the top left, then go to databases, the first entry is for production month, with the month of production listed by the last 6 digits of the VIN. Good luck.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

JPMOSE

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2006, 06:10:17 »
Hi Dale,

I have a '68 250SL as well.  Keep in mind that the 1968 model year for Mercedes started in July 1967 (when my car was manufactured).  Although it is the rarest model, the value of a 250SL isn't higher as a result of it (lags behind the 280SL).  But it is a great car, as all SL Mercedes are!  Good luck.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1970 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet
1987 560SL

norton

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2006, 09:07:08 »
I also have a "68" 250SL, So now we have acounted for 3 of the only 2 made. :D   My car is titled as a 1968 but was made in Nov. of 67. Check the tag located in  the door jam for a build date.

Mike Halleck
Chesterfield Mi
71 280SL
68 250SL (parts car)
94 E320 Coupe

PnHi

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2006, 12:04:01 »
Another one here.
Mike C.
Aberdeen MD
Dark Green/Cognac/4speed

A Dalton

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2006, 13:47:17 »
quote:
Originally posted by Dale Roberts

I've got a 1968 250 SL with only 58,000 miles.  All original except for the paint.  I hear this model is rather rare and few were manufactured... especially during 1968.  One website I saw said only two were made in 1968.  That sounds pretty improbable, but I'd like to know how to research my own car.  I have title and VIN of course.
Can anyone help me with this question?
Dale Roberts



DR

 The 250 was a 1967 production run designated chassis 113.043 [ aside from a few in 12/66 and 2 in 1/68]
 However , there was a mid-year production change , mostly on  the trim parts [ steering ring/square-weave/basket weave/window handles/door pockets etc..]
This was at 7/67 date and the serial #'s at the change are 2979/2980.
 The first run is referred to as "Early 250" and has most of the appointments of the earlier .042/230 series. The remaining run are referred  to as 1968/Late 250 and are more like the appointments of the 280/.044..
 You will find this serial number useful when ordering parts , as there are quite a few differences.
SLS site has this info, so you may want to reference there..
http://www.sls-hh-catalogue.de/bin/dbframes.phtml?mid=IN02
 I always liked the Early/Euro .043 version, but they are all cool....
« Last Edit: March 23, 2006, 13:49:31 by A Dalton »

Klaus

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2006, 14:52:09 »
For the United States, Model Year 1968 started with VIN 113043-..-002982.
The last 250 SL had VIN 113043-..-005196.
The US sales of the 250 SL were 33.54% of total (John Olsen "The SL Experience")
This means, approximately 743 US Model Year 1968 250 SL vehicles were sold in the US.
Of these, 255 were sold in Calender Year 1967, and 488 in Calender Year 1968 (Olsen).
Production on the assembly line ended in December 1967, and a few cars of these only left Sindelfingen in 1968.

Klaus
1969 280 SL

JPMOSE

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2006, 14:57:31 »
All 250SLs have square weave carpet, along with rubber floor mats! [:(!]

The USA 1968 also has a different injector pump than the 1967 model (adding a fuel shut off solenoid); side reflectors on fenders and quarter panels; dual compartment master cylinder (probably an international change); different heater control knobs and elimination of blower switch light.

I may think of some more later.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1970 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet
1987 560SL

A Dalton

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2006, 15:22:31 »
More at 2980.......

>>Interior door handle, lock, window crank changed (the 1967 250SL had the same door hardware as the 230SL; the 1968 250SL had the same door hardware as the 280SL.
 
Sunvisor mounting changed

Shape of horn ring changed again
Form of rear view and side view mirrors changed

Side reflectors added to fenders

Chrome discontinued on windshield wipers, horn ring, rear view mirror and door strikers

Face of ignition lock changed from convex to concave
 
Control knobs flattened

Steering wheel hub made collapsible, shape changed

Dash top padding rounded

Injection pump control shaft changed

Brake fluid level warning device added to master cylinder

Raymond

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2006, 21:36:03 »
FWIW, my '68 280, serial number 000176, was constructed in November 1967.  Probably came over on the same ship as Halleck's  

The VIN tag inside the door jamb does not have a place for the manufacture date.  The owner's manual says 250SL.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe
Ray
'68 280SL 5-spd "California" Coupe

n/a

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2006, 22:07:33 »
That really helps in dating mine as my VIN ends in 3044, soon after the change-over to the newer version.  Mine is in storage for the winter and I won't be getting it out for another month or so so I can't go look at all the little differences mentioned  in the various replies.  Can't wait for the weather to break so I can get it back out!
quote:
Originally posted by A Dalton

quote:
Originally posted by Dale Roberts

I've got a 1968 250 SL with only 58,000 miles.  All original except for the paint.  I hear this model is rather rare and few were manufactured... especially during 1968.  One website I saw said only two were made in 1968.  That sounds pretty improbable, but I'd like to know how to research my own car.  I have title and VIN of course.
Can anyone help me with this question?
Dale Roberts



DR

 The 250 was a 1967 production run designated chassis 113.043 [ aside from a few in 12/66 and 2 in 1/68]
 However , there was a mid-year production change , mostly on  the trim parts [ steering ring/square-weave/basket weave/window handles/door pockets etc..]
This was at 7/67 date and the serial #'s at the change are 2979/2980.
 The first run is referred to as "Early 250" and has most of the appointments of the earlier .042/230 series. The remaining run are referred  to as 1968/Late 250 and are more like the appointments of the 280/.044..
 You will find this serial number useful when ordering parts , as there are quite a few differences.
SLS site has this info, so you may want to reference there..
http://www.sls-hh-catalogue.de/bin/dbframes.phtml?mid=IN02
 I always liked the Early/Euro .043 version, but they are all cool....


n/a

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2006, 22:17:57 »
Touche'!
quote:
Now of course I realize the stupidity of my question about there being only 2 made in 1968, but I'm amazed and fascinated by the depth of knowledge about these cars from people on this site.  I wish I knew more about mine. I've been told the original owner was a lady in Chicago's Gold Coast who kept it as a summer toy for more than 30 years before selling it to a young couple who actually traded it in for a minivan!  A friend of mine bought it, had it a few years and sold it to me.  At 38 years old, the clock still works.  The radio isn't worth squat, but I can tell you what time it is.  I've got that funky automatic with park on the bottom and no first gear on the indicator.  I believe I'm also still on the original convertible top.  I'm having a hard time justifying replacing it since I take off the pagoda when it comes home for the summer and only take out when the weather is really nice, so the convertible stop is stored 99% of the time as it is.  I've also been told that the white "ivory" steering wheel was special for some reason but I'll be darned if I know why.

Thanks for all the feedback.
Dale ROriginally posted by norton

I also have a "68" 250SL, So now we have acounted for 3 of the only 2 made. :D   My car is titled as a 1968 but was made in Nov. of 67. Check the tag located in  the door jam for a build date.

Mike Halleck
Chesterfield Mi
71 280SL
68 250SL (parts car)
94 E320 Coupe


dsomusic

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #12 on: March 28, 2006, 14:27:28 »
Hello, Dale.
I have a 250, also. Love the car. Last 4 digits of my VIN are 4802, and it's totally in the
ballpark for a late 250. All the stuff listed here is spec on the car... black steering wheel,
side lights, etc. This probably doesn't add any info, but just supports historical perspectives. I'm at the other end of the mileage thing... heading into 681,000 at this
point. Has been a bit of a challenge over the years to keep it authentic. Many people who
work on the car try to change it.... I've been quite militant!!! Except for paint. Just had it
done in 906.. it's looking good.
Yours sounds wonderful!!
Daryl

Bob G ✝︎

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #13 on: March 28, 2006, 14:40:23 »
The 250SL is rare in that it lasted only one year before the introduction of the 280SL. There are two versions really of the 250SL one carries over the same interior trim and door panels as the late 230SL and the later 250SL which has the same interior as the early 280SLs.
The fuel injection pump differs in that it still has a red cap to add oil to the fuel injection system.
knobs are still the same as the early 230SL but the radio plate now excepts thestandard size becker radios.
It was also the first yearfor introduction of the ZF five speed transmission and limited slip differental.
the later 250SLs also had made the change to the bigger gas tank and transformation of the spare tire to the right side facing up ward and flat. I am not sure but I beleive the levers were still clear color coded forthe ventelation and heating. later 250SLs used a one peice pressed hubcap like the 280SL.
Production must of changed in the mist of April 1968 as my father ordered a 250SL and was informed by the factory he was getting a 280SL. serial number 1130440012001906.
Bob Geco
« Last Edit: March 28, 2006, 14:41:00 by Bob G »

JPMOSE

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #14 on: March 28, 2006, 14:53:08 »
Dsomusic wrote: "I'm at the other end of the mileage thing... heading into 681,000 at this point."  [:0][:0][:0][:0][:0][:0][:0][:0][:0][:0]

YOU NEED TO WRITE AN ARTICLE!!!

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL
1970 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet
1987 560SL

dsomusic

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Re: 250 SL
« Reply #15 on: March 31, 2006, 11:45:47 »
Hello, J.P.
I guess I figure that there's not a lot to say. When something breaks, it gets fixed. Driving
it is the fun. I'll work on a short article. Digital camera is in my future.. that might help.
Thanks for the interest!
Daryl