how many headlight door versions ?

[lurtch]

Hello Pagoda GURUS  - - -

I've got some weirdness going on with my 230SL headlight assemblies.

How many US versions of the headlight door assembly are there?

The 230's  have  an amber filter behind the clear lens, but only on the bottom third of the rectangular section, correct?

The 280's have an amber filter behind the entire rectangular section, right?

What the heck do I have here?  Is there a third configuration?  and if so how is it supposed to look compared to  the other two?

HELP ! - - - Larry in CA



Download Attachment: 230SL-headlight-door.jpg
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Download Attachment: 280SL-headlight-door.jpg
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Download Attachment: my-headlight-door.jpg
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[dldubois]

I know the 280sl has two versions.  I have the older version and the bottom is amber but the middle light has a clear lense and uses an amber bulb.   I think the later version may be all amber (not sure)

Dana DuBois

1969 280sl auto
blue (906)
Corinth, TX

[mdsalemi]

Hello Larry,

No you are not crazy.

There are three versions of the USA headlight door that I know of.  

early: up to chassis 5607
middle: 5608-11040
late: 11040-end.

Late ones had the pigtail socket to plug in the side markers when they changed from reflectors.

They are oftened identified by their stamped in product code (not the MB part number) which usually end is -AN or -AJ or something like that.  I wrote a long post on it some time ago..search the archives.

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

[JPMOSE]

To complete Michael's write-up.....the serial numbers referenced pertain to 280SL models.  All USA 230SL and 250SL models were furnished with the first version only.

Best Regards,

J. P. Mose
1968 250SL

[John C]

I see quite a spread in the cost of these headlight assemblies...same part ranges from $260 to over $450 depending on the supplier.  Any explanation for this, i.e., are there different people out there making these things and are some better than others?Any recommendations as to where to get the best deal on a quality part? Thanks.

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by John C

I see quite a spread in the cost of these headlight assemblies...same part ranges from $260 to over $450 depending on the supplier.  Any explanation for this, i.e., are there different people out there making these things and are some better than others?Any recommendations as to where to get the best deal on a quality part? Thanks.

John,

When I bought NEW ones in 2001, the only version available was the latest.  All others are NLA, but the possibility exists of finding some NOS somewhere.  I have not seen any repros but that does not mean they don't exist.

The parts are made by Bosch; originals are made in Germany of course; if you bought one today it would be from the Czech Republic as that's where they moved the tooling.  Mine came from Czech in 2001.  While they weren't or aren't cheap go price a new headlamp assembly for a [rather pedestrian] 2005 or 2006 Honda Civic (about $250.00) and you might be pleasantly surprised if not astounded that ours are, nearly 40 years later, still available!

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

[dldubois]

I just purchased new ones for my car and they had two versions.

113.044 up to 005607 and the one from 005607 up.

I needed the earlier version to 005607 and paid $227 per door.

Best price I could find on the older version.   Received them in their Bosch boxes within 4 days.   www.stopshopanddrive.com

Dana DuBois

1969 280sl auto
blue (906)
Corinth, TX