Early hardtop mbtex covered front piece

[Lori]

Doing some maintenance on the hardtop.  I have a early top (not original to my car).  This front piece where the locks attach, what is it made of?  As you can see mine is lumpy and is compromised where the locks are.  It's crunchy and I  can wiggle locks a bit. Any advice from anyone that has had to repair this piece?

[114015]

Dear Lori,

That looks like an earlier 230 SL hardtop.
Fixed hardtop handles were used on 230 SL tops and 250 SL tops except the later ones - I actually don't remember exactly.

The black liner you see should be MB-Tex or leather - same as the car's interior and matching that one
and was used only on 230 SL hardtops. Later 230 SL hardtops onwards then had not the MB-Tex liner anymore but a piece of the same material as the perforated headliner.

The material under the MB-Tex should be metal - with a bit of remaining foam liner underneath.


Best,
Achim

[Pawel66]

It is a metal cross-member with threaded holes for the locks screws. If I remember correctly it is done the same way as hood (bonnet) hinges fixing or door locks: threaded plate inside reenforcement profile, allowing for adjustment of roof lock location. Mine were stuck….

[Lori]

Oh Boy

[waltklatt]

Lori,
If you push the black fabric back further, you will expose the long slim aluminum bar stock with the small Phillips screws.  Removing those screws and aluminum will allow the fabric to separate from the top.
Currently waiting to take my stripped top to the paint shop.
Walter
1967 220SL diesel
1969 280SE
2003 Beetle TDI
2005 Honda Element

[Lori]

Thanks Walt, once I vacuumed up all the rust o was able to see that bar.  Would you be able to post a picture of the area where the handles attach?

[Duncan200]

Hi Lori,

Here’s a picture of mine when I was re-doing the headliner.

Not the best picture but it may help you.

Please note, I’ve already glued the foam on in this pic that goes under the piece that covers the front edge where the latches go.

Doug

[BobH]

Anything on here that may help, from an earlier post?

[Lori]

Thanks Doug and Bob, but I'm looking for a close up of this section where I will have to fabricate the front piece (well not me but the body shop  )

[EeVeeWee]

Hopefully you can use this pics.

[Lori]

Perfect! Thanks EeVeeWee

[waltklatt]

Lori, note, there is a floating plate that the screws fasten to.  Allows the adjustment of the handles.
Hope these pictures can help.
Walter
1967 220SL diesel
1969 280SE
2003 Beetle TDI
2005 Honda Element

[waltklatt]

Here are two pictures showing my finger moving the plate up and down.

[rwmastel]

Lori,

Maybe go get this one from the left coast?

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=39864.0;topicseen