Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Body, interior, paint, chrome, and cosmetic items => Topic started by: dtuttle123 on February 04, 2009, 01:40:33

Title: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: dtuttle123 on February 04, 2009, 01:40:33

When did the tow ring get installed?  I have an early 250SL without the ring, but the attached photo is from another early 250SL (about 1-2 months later than mine) with the tow ring.  Were they possibly added later?  Or maybe mine was removed?

Title: Re: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: Joe on February 04, 2009, 02:53:10

Ancillary question: what color should the ring be?
Joe

Title: Re: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: thelews on February 04, 2009, 03:38:51

250 SL #1543

Hook is body color

Title: Re: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: sjiatrou on February 04, 2009, 04:33:03

My '64 230sl (#1515) has it and it's body color.

Title: Re: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: graphic66 on February 04, 2009, 14:19:01

Is it a tow ring or was it used to secure the cars for transport to dealers?

Title: Re: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: al_lieffring on February 04, 2009, 17:22:40

Quote from: graphic66 on February 04, 2009, 14:19:01

Is it a tow ring or was it used to secure the cars for transport to dealers?

The loop on the left front frame horn will easily tear away if you try to use it to winch the car out of a ditch (personal experience) so I think you are correct, the loop was for securing the cars to the deck when transported overseas.

Wrap a tow rope/chain around one of the forward sub frame straps, they are much stronger than the loop on the frame rail.

Al


 

Title: Re: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: john.mancini on February 04, 2009, 18:05:57

I used to date a girl who had a toe ring. She had it added in 1969.
John

Title: Re: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: abe280SL on February 04, 2009, 18:56:31

I use to date one too...but her ring(s) was not on her toe ::)
abe

Title: Re: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: dtuttle123 on February 04, 2009, 19:57:22

Leave it to you guys to brings a good technical discussion right into the gutter ;D  and you haven't been even drinking.

I went out to the barn last night with a flashlight, and looked again, and there is evidence of a ring on my car, but lost it somewhere in it's life. 

I do buy the tie-down for transport theory, but wouldn't there also have to be one 'aft'?  If it was just for tie down, then they could have put it futher back, and not have it extend out for cosmetic reasons.

Title: Re: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: john.mancini on February 04, 2009, 20:24:28

Toe rings, tied down...........we might be talking about the same girl!
Next topic.

Title: Re: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: dtuttle123 on February 04, 2009, 23:01:42

Indeed!

Title: Re: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: Mike Hughes on February 04, 2009, 23:28:17

Aye, laddie - but will it come off when you tow her out of a ditch?

(Sorry, couldn't help myself!)

Title: Re: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: J. Huber on February 05, 2009, 04:59:25

Well. My car has the hook as well (871). However, I recall years ago when I had my car painted thinking it looked funny white (figured it might have been accidentally painted bodycolor...) -- so I painted it black. Might go back now that I am enlightened!

I can also say mine has functioned as a tow hook, not out of a ditch -- but up a flatbad tow-truck ...  :-[

Title: Re: Tow Ring - when did they get added?
Post by: sjiatrou on February 05, 2009, 21:14:48

Same thing here James, I've had two flatbed towing experiences this year and both times that front tow hook performed flawlessly when they winched her up the ramp.