SL230 Hard Top Question

[jameshoward]

Hi,

I have just purchased a '67 SL 230 on a whim over the internet whilst bored serving in Iraq. I've wanted one for years - can't wait to see what it's like (and if it exists - I've just read the scary thread about buying cars without inspecting them on Ebay; not much I could do about that though). That aside, it (allegedly) has only a soft top. I've read that there were 3 types of car: the CA without a top, a car with just a soft top, and a car with both soft and hard tops. Here's my question: assuming for a moment that 'my' car is just a soft top model, if I were to purchase a hard top would it fit the car or are there some special fittings that are required to fit a hard top to a car that was originally designed for a soft top only?

I'd be grateful for any advice. (The reason I ask is because I've found a hard top on the internet for a price that I'm prepared to pay)

Thanks.

[JamesL]

The "California Coupe" is a hardtop only car where the soft-top well (where it sits when down) is removed to be replaced by back seats

The roadsters were soft top with a hardtop. Not 100% sure that the hardtop was an option but most cars have both

So by that logic - and an expert is now about to tell me otherwise... the hardtop should fit both types of car - Coupe and Roadster


I guess boredom and impoverishment from Pagoda ownership is better than some other options in Iraq!

[France]

James,

Don't panic yet--see last year's Pagoda World for my story of buying on eBay.  Not only was the seller honest and the price right, but Carling was beyond my dreams when she arrived.

I do believe that Tosh is correct about how the tops fit.  Makes sense you could just buy one, paint it, and plonk it on.  You will need the little chrome handles that are normally in our toolkits.  Probably another eBay search for you.  Also, the hard top is pretty heavy (see the threads herein on lifting it using girlfriends, wives, and whomever you can grab at the time--luckily I have a big strong man).  Therefore you may want a hoist to lift it and to store it out of harm's way.  You see how this goes?  Each acquisition leads to another...

Good luck!  When do you get to meet her?

Trice
1968 280SL US, signal red/bl leather, auto, kinder seat
Sarasota FL; Alsace France; Switzerland
You only need 2 tools in life: WD40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop.

[Ben]

To clarify, all hardtops are the same, and can mount to any W113 Chassis with no additions as the utilise the existing fittings !

The early cars had the hardtop handles built in, ie. they are not removable, so if you buy and early hartop you wont need to look for the handles, not a big deal either way !



Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.

[enochbell]

Not to split hairs, but the hardtops are different for early sl's.  Besides the cosmetic changes, there is a different receiver (the chrome plates covering the soft top hinges).  On older versions the receivers have a different shape shoulder around the hole into which the hard top pins fit.  You could ignore the differences but the top won't fit quite as well if the top and receiver are mismatched.  There is probably and expert on the board who knows exactly when the change occured.

Best,
g

'64 230sl, fully sorted out...ooops, spoke too soon

[jameshoward]

Hi Everyone,

Many thanks for your helpful replies. I have now managed to get a photo of the hardtop sent through (which I can send if anyone would like to comment!) and whilst it looks pretty ragged, I think I'll go for it (although frankly I wouldn't know what bits are missing/supposed to be there anyway - it doesn't appear to have the chrome handles as mentioned by Ben and France so it'll be back to ebay for them I suspect).
If the car exists, and if it ships OK, it should arrive in Germany in mid Nov by which time I'll be back to meet it, God willing.

Thanks again for your advice.

JRH

[Ben]

quote:Not to split hairs, but the hardtops are different for early sl's. Besides the cosmetic changes, there is a different receiver (the chrome plates covering the soft top hinges). On older versions the receivers have a different shape shoulder around the hole into which the hard top pins fit. You could ignore the differences but the top won't fit quite as well if the top and receiver are mismatched. There is probably and expert on the board who knows exactly when the change occured.

...........good info !I didn't know that !

As they say over here " Every day is a schoolday  ! "

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.