Soft top for RHD 230 Sl

[DavidFinn]

Hi All,

I am consiering purchasing a RHD 1965 230 Sl in UK , the dealer said that the soft to was an optional extra.

There is a compartment for the soft top. How expensive is it to purchase a soft top and are they difficult to install.

Any advice would be appreciated

davidFinn

[Mike]

David, they are easy to install but tought to pay for.  The frame is particularly pricey, probably over $1,000.  The soft top itself is 400-900, depending on vendors/quality.  Check the vendors on this site and you will probably find everything you need.  Others who are more knowledgable can correct me if I am wrong on this but I do not believe that the soft top was ever an added option.  One exception is the so-called California Coupe which came without a soft top  but it also had no shelf or lid to retain the top.

Mike

[gnj588d]

Hi David . they came as roadster, coupe, or coupe convertible,the roadster has the soft top,the coupe has the hard top only and the coupe convertible has both hard and soft tops,has it got the hard top if it has the hard top only then there should be a seating arrangment at  the back if there is a space for the soft top then there should be a soft top to get hold of a soft top would be difficult and very expensive.Look for the bolt holes that secure the soft top ,dont believe every think the seller says. Good Luck Mike Rutledge.

[DavidFinn]

quote:Originally posted by gnj588d

Hi David . they came as roadster, coupe, or coupe convertible,the roadster has the soft top,the coupe has the hard top only and the coupe convertible has both hard and soft tops,has it got the hard top if it has the hard top only then there should be a seating arrangment at  the back if there is a space for the soft top then there should be a soft top to get hold of a soft top would be difficult and very expensive.Look for the bolt holes that secure the soft top ,dont believe every think the seller says. Good Luck Mike Rutledge.

[DavidFinn]

Originally posted by DavidFinn

Originally posted by gnj588d

Hi David . they came as roadster, coupe, or coupe convertible,the roadster has the soft top,the coupe has the hard top only and the coupe convertible has both hard and soft tops,has it got the hard top if it has the hard top only then there should be a seating arrangment at  the back if there is a space for the soft top then there should be a soft top to get hold of a soft top would be difficult and very expensive.Look for the bolt holes that secure the soft top ,dont believe every think the seller says. Good Luck Mike Rutledge.


Many thanks for your replies, The car does have a compartment for the soft top, I have  since spoken to a local expert on the Pagoda and he told me that it was not an optional extra,its just missing,  he also told me that they are impossible to find.   It has a hard top and there is no seating arrangement in  the back just a carpeted section big enough for parcels. The prices qoted by Mike does not put me off.
I still may go for it.

Again many thanks

[Douglas]

David,

On the 280 SL, it was possible to order a Roadster without the soft top, but with a soft top compartment. It's option code 248. My first 280 SL had this option and it was indicated on the data card. Here's the data card that clearly shows option 248:

http://home.nyc.rr.com/mrdjsk/fahrzeug-daten1.jpg)

That's not to say that your SL was delivered without a soft top; there's no way to know without seeing the data card.

One final note -- it is possible to purchase a soft top frame. Here in the US, the man to see for a restored frame is Gernold at SL Tech. His website is sltechw113.com. They also show up on ebay regularly, but Gernold will sell you a restored frame. You could even get it with new canvas installed.



Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[hands_aus]

quote:Originally posted by DavidFinn

Originally posted by DavidFinn

Originally posted by gnj588d

Hi David . they came as roadster, coupe, or coupe convertible,the roadster has the soft top,the coupe has the hard top only and the coupe convertible has both hard and soft tops,has it got the hard top if it has the hard top only then there should be a seating arrangment at  the back if there is a space for the soft top then there should be a soft top to get hold of a soft top would be difficult and very expensive.Look for the bolt holes that secure the soft top ,dont believe every think the seller says. Good Luck Mike Rutledge.


Many thanks for your replies, The car does have a compartment for the soft top, I have  since spoken to a local expert on the Pagoda and he told me that it was not an optional extra,its just missing,  he also told me that they are impossible to find.   It has a hard top and there is no seating arrangement in  the back just a carpeted section big enough for parcels. The prices qoted by Mike does not put me off.
I still may go for it.

Again many thanks

David,
I think the soft top was optional because it wasn't ordered by the first owner of my 250sl.
Like your car, mine has the soft top well and cover but no frame and no rear seat. This is original to my car.

I just checked my data card and the option was 415 HARD TOP (LESS ROADSTER TOP)

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto