I'm Back After 4 years Hiatus

[67w113]

Hello again everyone, well as I move through life and change hobbies/focus to other interests and forums, I have now returned back to sl113.org.  My 1967 250SL was not driven too much over the last few years (only on sunny weekends) but now it has become my daily driver for the next few weeks.  Re-acquainting my love for the Pagoda has been great, it stills runs like a champ and the weather has been nice (Sunny 70 degrees F, no rain). 

I never paid much attention to the VIN num or sent away for the Data Card as this car was restored in Stuttgart (European model) while we were stationed at Patch Army Base.  I decided to look and SURPRISE "think" I have an early 250SL!! VIN 113 042-12-001834 113 043-12-001834.  Can anyone confirm that this is considered an early 250SL? Originally it was Signal Red but against many opinions I did a color change to Anthracite Grey during the second restoration.  Anyways, I'll have more questions to come as I really need to detail the engine bay.

-Cheers...another Pagoda moves from trailer queen to daily driver! So much fun to drive these cars...

[thelews]

mine is 1543 and is early.

An easy way to tell is if you have chrome up the inside of the A pillar and over the top of the windshield where the top closes.

[Jordan]

Actually if the second set of 3 digits is 042, you have an early 230SL, not a 250SL.  If it was a 250SL, the digits would read 043.

You can find more here https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/VIN

Welcome back.

[67w113]

OK...after scrathing my head for a minute I re-checked the VIN and yes it is a 43 not 42 (whew). All the manuals I inherited are for 250SL.  I do have  chrome up the inside of the A pillar and over the top of the windshield where the top closes.  This car "may" have some history to it, the story goes this car was won in a high stakes poker game involving some high ranking German mobster (Any former German gangsters on this forum lose a car in a poker game around 1982?) 

If only this car could talk. BTW - My dad was not at the poker game, he bought it off the Officer who won the car as the "fable" goes.

So Hooray!! It appears I have the "best of the best" an early 250SL!

[Jordan]

Have a look at the VIN tag on the firewall on the passengers side.  You will also have a data plate on the drivers side in the engine bay which will give you the first 6 digits of the VIN as well as some option codes, country of delivery etc.   

Let us know how you make out or post pictures of your car and we can probably figure it out that way as well (interior and exterior).

[67w113]

Thanks Jordan, I just had a mistake (typo) on the VIN.  Mystery solved, I can rest easy knowing I have an early 250SL.  I should have known because it has disc brakes on all 4 wheels, I "think" the 230's had drums on the back maybe?
My engine bay needs real help, it has never really been professionally detailed and I get nervous using high pressure water and heavy detergents inside the engine compartment.  Besides You Tube anyone have decent instructs or video on the correct, safe way to detail an antique engine?

I do not mind the work but nervous getting it warmed up then using a degreaser and Hi-pressure spray.

Engine detailing for dummies is what I need.

[Benz Dr.]

I wash engine bays at the car wash quite often. Get your engine hot first and then use the hot soapy cycle next. Once you have your engine clean close the hood and finish the rest of your car. I try to stay away from the distributor cap but I've washed right over the spark plug wires and they will still start. The trick is to make sure you have your engine fully warmed from a longer drive. If your engine doesn't start you probably have problems that you just found.

So, power washing at home is OK but washing when hot is better. Little to no chance of hurting anything.

[67w113]

Thanks for the confidence to just "do it" Dr. Benz..Heading to the car wash today and finally clean the engine bay...on another note I must endorse the chrome polish NOXON.  Just finished detailing the chrome and this stuff works better than anything else I have tried in the past, the product was recommended by a local restorer.

[Jordan]

Let us know how you make out.  I need to give mine a good cleaning as well.