Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: bpossel on February 24, 2007, 16:48:58
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Hi All!
Did this group ever do a post on optional equipment? When was optional equipment no longer optional?
For example, on the later 280SLs, was the pass side mirror a standard item? Was the rear defrost a standard item? What options that were options on earlier models became standard on the later models?
Thanks!
Bob
bpossel (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL / '97 E320
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I think there was a Pagoda World article about this, a reprint from the Mercedes Collector article.
Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both tops
1994 E420
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The article on options was (re)published in Pagoda World in the Winter 2005 issue. This was a reprint from the Frank Mallory magazinem, and the article was written by Michael Egan. It includes a brief description of the options and also a very nice grid that shows when options were available.
Also published in the Frank Mallory magazine was a list of the changes for the 230 and 250 SL (translated from the Engelen book) that sometimes references when an item became standard.
Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto
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Bob,
I think the bigger change over the years, at least among the US-spec vehicles, is how the cars were delivered to the dealer. Michael Egan makes an important distinction in his article about US vs. Euro buyers -- the Euro buyer tended to purchase a "bespoke" vehicle with specific options, whereas the US buyer tended to purchase what was on the dealer's lot.
For whatever reason, it appears that, over time, the US market received cars that were increasingly "loaded" with air, auto trans, etc. Technically, these were all still optional, but Pagodas were increasingly fitted with these features towards the end of production.
I've got to think this was based on a combo of profit motive, assumptions about what their particular consumer wanted (i.e., what would sell), and an increasingly affluent market, but I'd love to hear Klaus' insight on this since he's a former D-B employee.
Douglas Kim
New York
USA
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Wasn't there a reprint of the Michael Egan article which was reprinted in Classic Mercedes collector? I'm sure I have seen in recently in a magazine. Maybe Classic Car or Classic and Sportscar or Classics for all or Practical Classics or Classic car mart or Classics mercedes or Classic Car monthly or Classic sportscars or Classic Marques or Classic dream cars or Classic driver or My Classic or Classic roundup or Classic mart or Classic Cars for Sale or Classic car Market? I might be wrong.
Nick350
r107 SL red
w113 SL white
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Nick,
See posts below.
Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both tops
1994 E420
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Bob,
I'm trying to determine if cars made in Jan. & Feb. of 1971 for U.S. import had the passenger side mirror and rear window defroster as standard factory installed equipment. I may buy a late 71 silver/red restored car that doesn't have either and I've asked for data card codes to determine if these were on the car. Would these two options be on the data card? Thanks.
Zanone
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Don't know if this is definative in any way. It is a list of "standard" features for a '65 230SL. It has a form number printed on it and says printed in the USA. I think it was taped to the window, because there is Scotch tape around the back of the form.
David
Download Attachment: (http://images/icon_paperclip.gif) Standard form.jpg (http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/deacon/200722520421_Standard%20form.jpg)
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Download Attachment: (http://images/icon_paperclip.gif) Form number.jpg (http://www.sl113.org/forums/uploaded/deacon/2007225204434_Form%20number.jpg)
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David
65 230SL
Blue Grey 162 - manual
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The passenger side mirror was never standard equipment in the U.S.
Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex
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The option code list was published last in Pagoda World Issue 8, October 2006.
Each sales market resp. Importer could decide individually which options they wanted to be standard in that country. Cars in Germany always had the minimum standard equipment, US versions were among those with the maximum standard equipment. Douglas described the reason below.
Passenger side rearview mirror is on the data card, code 502 or 506.
Rear window defroster is also on the data card, code 246, 247, 248 or 249, depending on model and type of glass.
Douglas, in the US about half of the cars were ordered by the dealers with the options and color combinations they thought would sell best. The other half were specified by MBNA for stock and allocated to dealers after their arrival in the US. Those specifications were always on the safe side, i.e. no controversial color combinations etc.
Klaus
1969 280 SL
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All,
:) Thank you for your replies and the info!
Very informative and helpful!
Regards,
Bob
bpossel (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL / '97 E320
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Can you tell me where I can find the Pagoda World magazine article? Is it available online or is this only a print magazine?
Sounds very interesting.
thanks
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From David's standard equipment form, I am particularly impressed with having an Oil Filter on the list. Were cars ever (in the automotive dark ages) shipped without them?
-David Pease
'66 French 230SL
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Hi David,
"my guess" would be that maybe there were different types of oil filters... A special filter used to break-in the engine, then a standard filter...? Only a guess....
Bob
bpossel (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL / '97 E320
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quote:
Originally posted by Erik Bentzon
Can you tell me where I can find the Pagoda World magazine article? Is it available online or is this only a print magazine?
Erick,
Hi. See these two links:
http://www.sl113.org/membership/default.asp
http://index.php?topic=6545
Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both tops
1994 E420
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I'm sure I have seen in recently in a magazine. Maybe Classic Car or Classic and Sportscar or Classics for all or Practical Classics or Classic car mart or Classics mercedes or Classic Car monthly or Classic sportscars or Classic Marques or Classic dream cars or Classic driver or My Classic or Classic roundup or Classic mart or Classic Cars for Sale or Classic car Market? I might be wrong.
quote:
Originally posted by Erik Bentzon
Can you tell me where I can find the Pagoda World magazine article? Is it available online or is this only a print magazine?
Sounds very interesting.
thanks
Nick350
r107 SL red
w113 SL white