Anyone have a 280SL stolen in Ireland

[monellan]

Hi There,

Ok so here goes, i know nothing much about these cars, however i have a suspicion that there is one in our apartment parking area that may be stolen.
Its Left hand drive, is a blue colour, looks to be around 1970 in age, although i cannot be certain of that.
When it first appeared there it had Calafornian plates, they have since been removed along with the wheel covers.
There have been repeated notes left on the window for it to be moved as its in someones parking space, however its in the same place as always. In the last week the window has been left half down on the drivers side and the door unlocked, if i owned the car i can assure you as you mite agree, i would have it locked up and secured.
Just thought on the off chance i would post this add and put it up here just in case someone might of heard of one going missing, eventhough i am in Dublin, Ireland.
Be happy to take some pics later and post them if anyone has information or suspicions....
Have a few pics on my phone at present but thats it....

Thanks for reading.

[Douglas]

Here's a photo of a blue one that was stolen in CA not long ago:

http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/suzy/2007101111752_IMG_0020.JPG

Here's the thread on the theft started by the owner:

http://sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=7546

[monellan]

Yes looks to be a light blue colour. Be happy to have a look if there are distinguishing marks?

[Douglas]

Distinguishing characteristics as follows:

•Late-model 280 SL
•Ext color: 350/medium blue
•Int color: gray MB Tex
•Lt blue carpet
•US-spec
•No hardtop
•black soft top
•4-speed manual transmission
•VIN: 11304410016420
•Odometer: approx. 20,060 when stolen
• Becker radio
• no a/c

[rwmastel]

The lady (Suzy) who had hers stolen this past September had this to say:

"The car is a stick shift, which i loved. The VIN # is 280sl016402, the odometer says @ 20,060, and the interior cover is a very light blueish gray."

So, the actual VIN on the data plate would probably be 113.044-10-016402.  This plate is either in the drivers side door jamb or on the firewall.  Since this car's door is unlocked, it would be easy to find and confirm.  If the plate was removed, the VIN is stamped in the front right frame rail, below the hose leading from the air filter box to the intake manifold.  Difficult for a novice to find, but it's there.  Flashlight would help.  Also, is this car's interior a light bluish-gray?

"(by the way, i still have the hard top)"

Suzy's hard top, if original, would have the body number stamped into it.  We could see if the body numbers on the car match this.

I sent an e-mail to Suzy alerting her of this thread.  Hopefully she will sign on and comment.

[monellan]

Its a hardtop and its also an automatic. Will try to get these pics up soon, trying to get bluetooth sorted on this laptop!

[rwmastel]

Well, if it's an automatic and has its hard top, then we are probably barking up the wrong tree.

[monellan]

Car has 83,392 miles on it.

[suzy]

i'm the one who had her 280SL stolen from California.  i will look for some pictures to post when i get home, but mine was manual, not automatic.

Awfully nice of you to put the post up, since it is devastating to have these vehicles taken.

suzy

[suzy]

Found a photo my stolen car.  Unfortunately it has both me and the dog -- yeah, yeah, i'm driving  

this will give you the interior and exterior color. please do let me know if this color matches though, as i mentioned in my previous email, my car was a manual.





Download Attachment: DCP_2228.jpg
149.91 KB

[rwmastel]

Suzy,

Hi.  Your signature now reads "1967 250SL auto beige/green".  How do you like this SL compared to the previous one?  It is totally different in color and transmission, and if early enough, all the interior trim style.

[paulr]

something smells here.......

[monellan]

Hi Suzy, colour appears similar, however its difficult to be 100% accurate as the parking area is underground and the lighting is not perfect. I have taken some pics with my digital camera this evening and will put them on here tomorrow after work (irish Time) as i have my camera usb lead at work! Steering wheel is white and interior is leather.

[suzy]

hi there, don't think you need to post your photos, since my steering wheel was black and i can't imagine anyone changing it out.  ah well, perhaps the car was stolen from someone else.  i really appreciate your post though.

[suzy]

rodd, you ask how the 2 cars compare.  they are completely different drivers and i was surprised by how much.  i attribute the difference to one being manual (the 280) and the other being automatic, where the manual was peppy and accelerated quickly, and the automatic drives like an old lady car (how appropriate for me!)  

that being said, i actually find i like the styling on the 250 better, with all the lovely extra trim.

[blue230sl]

suzy,
glad you've found an 'new' pagoda. i had a 67 250sl that was also automatic, and it also performed in a stately manner, but i could get more performance out of it by shifting as if it was a manual.
maybe that would add some zip to your driving experience?
best of luck with the new car. would love to see pics.
john

[Raymond]

Hi Monellen,

Thank you for your concern and for taking the time to find us.  However, the best way to solve this mystery is to call your local constable and ask them to investigate.  They will be able to dial up the VIN on the car and have an answer in minutes.  At the least, it will get the car moved from the reserved space.

Please let us know if they determine it's stolen.

[suzy]

john, "stately" is a kind work for how she drives  

if you want to see photos, go to the photo section of this web site and search for "new 250" and you'll see that i posted a few.

[TheEngineer]

Suzy:
the 250/280SL for delivery in the US did come with a milder cam shaft to meet emissions. As soon as you install the 09 cam shaft it becomes a very peppy car. The 230SL did come with a high lift, longer opening cam shaft and is also a little lighter. It makes a difference. I had a 230SL with a 4-speed and now I have a 280SL with the automatic. I didn't like the auto at first because the up-shift 2-3 was rough. It was mis-adjusted and I adjusted it to the book. Now it shifts very smooth. I also drive a '95 E320. It starts in first gear and has a torque converter instead of a fluid coupling. I find that it doesn't shift any smoother and the start in first gear is not particularly an advantage. We have a lot of pretty steep hills here and when there is a stop sign on the hill, it is better to start in first. But the Pagoda will do that too, I just have to select "2". I usually stay in "2" up-the-hill anyway. I'm not sure, I like the sound of the stainless exhaust system: It is louder than the factory installation. On my E320 - that has the same engine - the factory system is quieter and at slow speeds the car is almost silent. But the difference is slight. Craig D. drove my 280SL and commented how smooth it shifts and how quiet and powerful it is. It is all in the eye of the beholder.