Rear Lights

[bowdie]

I presume that the left side rear light is the original one?

http://gallery.me.com/christopherlunn#100114/IMG_1875&bgcolor=black

[Jonny B]

Interesting arrangement. Unless there was some special requirement for export, the rear lights for the 250 SL should be all red, except for the back ups.

[paults1]

My '63 230SL has the same lights as posted by bowdie.  My car was shipped to Italy & I have been infomed that the rear lights or the spec. required by Italy. 
Regards, Paul, early '63 230SL

[Richard Madison]

According to the Technical Manual, the left light on the green car is a light used in Italy, Australia, and the UK while the right side light is a later style light used in many countries.

Obviously both lights should be the same on a car and since the Tech Manual article was written by me, don't rely on its accuracy until others have added their knowledge.

Richard M, NYC

[bowdie]

Hi
I've decided that I need to have these tail lights matching.

http://gallery.me.com/christopherlunn#100114/IMG_1875&bgcolor=black

I know the left side is correct for a Euro 250 (& original to the car) but I prefer the later right 280 style light.

Q.  Am I right (from reading the tech section) that I need to source a full 280 style unit (ie. lense, reflector, back plate & chrome surround)?

Any idea of best place to source & likely cost?  No joy on ebay so far.

Are they easy enough to switch out?

Thanks for any advice.

Chris.

[Tomnistuff]

I strongly believe that you are correct, 280SL71, in your Technical Manual statement that the left light is for Italian release.  My 67 230SL was originally sold in Italy and has the same lights, somewhat the worse for wear.  It appears that the lenses on the SLS site (282131 and 282141) for 119 Euro each are the same but I don't know if I have the courage to start grinding on the original ones to remove the plastic lenses and glue in the new ones.

Tom Kizer

[Garry]

Chris,

You will need to replace the lights as a whole unless you want to try to modify the existing units and whilst not a difficult thing to do it has some risk that you don't get it correct and end up with some lenses and then have to buy the two units complete anyway.

They are really simple to switch over, the wiring  disconnects in the boot and remove the spare tyre to make access easier. They just screw out and in.  You may want to also replace the rubber seals on each side whilst there if your seals are hardened to the existing lights shape.

They come up on eBay occasionally and are usually in the $6-700 each range.  Also available from the usual advertisers on this site, Buds Benz, SLS, Millers etc

Garry

[Sirasila]

If you have both sides of the original older version of the lights, I'll trade you.  I have on my car the late 280 version that you like and want to switch to the older version for my 230.  Please let me know if you want to. 

[bowdie]

Gary - thanks for the info.

Sirasila - sorry, i only have the one older light that's on the car now.

Thanks,
Chris.