Inside firewall pads - who needs them?

[66andBlue]

Since we had several requests for these pads on the inside firewall we are contemplating whether to produce those also.
We do have the MB specification drawing and therefore can produce an exact die.  However, these pads are large (about 21' x 21") and since a roll of material is 36" x 96" there would be quite a bit of "scrap" material, which however could be used to cut strips for the trunks (all three together = about 15" x 21").
Furthermore, we need to deal with the fact that the driver side pad for automatic and manual shift cars is different although similar. This can be solved by cutting the pattern for the manual shift cars only in the backing material and not in the front layer, just like we did with VIN plate cut out for the engine compartment pads.

So here is the question. How many of you would buy a set of inside pads (both driver and passenger side) with felt backing at a price of $125 plus shipping?  This price reflects that more material is required, dies are more expensive, and the volume is lower.

A set of three trunk strips would cost $45 but these would come without any backing material.

Here are links to photos (http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=15458.0) to show you what we have in mind:
Passenger side:
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=15458.0;attach=12928;image
Driver side manual car:
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=15458.0;attach=12866;image
Driver side automatic car:
http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=15458.0;attach=12868;image

Trunk strips: see attached photo


 

[Benz Dr.]

Alfred,
I understand that you have a limited supply of material so it might be prudent to produce these last after you've filled all your orders. The inside pads, while nice to have, are also mostly unseen with carpeting covering them, so I'm not sure you would want to use up a limited supply of material like that. If you can get more material, or have someone make it for you, then by all means make everything you can.

 Just my opinion and I'm sure there will be other ideas concerning this.

[66andBlue]

Hi Dan,
you have a point but I have just ordered the last 28 rolls of the material that should give us enough to satisfy the RHD demand and another round of LHD pads.   But you are correct those inside ones will be made only after everyone here had a chance to get the one for the engine compartment.
My calculations are based on only 20 inside pad sets which should yield about 30 trunk sets from the left over material.
Now you know all my secrets!  

[lollo71]

Hello Alfred,

I would take 2 sets of
- inside pads
- trunk strips

Thanks,
Claudia

[hauser]

Alfred, Please add me to your list.

2 sets foot well

2 trunk

1 firewall pad

Thanks

[DaveB]

I would like a set of internal firewall pads and trunk pads.
So my total order is 1 set of everything: firewall pad, internal pads, trunk pads, to fit 1965 left hand drive 230sl.
Thanks.

[Naj ✝︎]

Hi, Alfred,

2 sets for the trunk please.

Thanks
Naj

[bogeyman]

Hi Alfred:

1 Inside pad set

2 Trunk sets

Thanks

[George Des]

Alfred,

I'd like a set of insdie pads along with the trunk strips.

George

[Jordan]

Hello Alfred, I will take one set for driver and passenger side and the trunk.  May thanks.
Marcus

[ghenne]

Add me to the list!

[114015]

Dear Alfred,

Please count me in for two interior sets and one trunk strip set.

Thank you so much,

Achim

[Drewtee]

Hi Alfred,
Please put me down for a set of trunk strips if they become available.
All the best
Andy

[Iconic]

Alfred,
Please count me in for a set of trunk strips.
Thank you !
Mark

[mdsalemi]

Inside set yes
Trunk set yes

(already on the list for the firewall set...)

[thelews]

Mine look different than the firewall pad.  Possibly not original?

[66andBlue]

No, John, yours are original! But they are also NLA.
Mercedes installed two types of strips in these cars.
The waffle-patterned strips were mostly in 230SL cars and the ones you have in later cars but I believe that Tom Colitt also has seen later cars with the waffle pattern. Perhaps he'll chime in here.
Perhaps the point is since both types are NLA from Mercedes why not replace them, if necessary, with one that at least is original for some types of W113.

Looking at your photo, could you take a measuring tape and let us know the dimensions of the small reactangles/squares that hold down the wire cable, please?

[thelews]

Good to know.  I'll be happy to measure.  My footwell pads are like the firewall.

[thelews]

Jeez, what a production.  Out with the tire, then the wheel chock, then the cocomat, then the rubber mat.  Anyway, promised and delivered.  There are four pads covering the wire.  Three, actually had a hint of the firewall pad (maybe compressed after all these years) and the one in the upper left looks like the material the three long ones are.  The four wire pads are all the same size  118.98 X 79.51 mm.  Pics attached showing size and location.

[66andBlue]

Hi John,
thanks a million your efforts, they are much appreciated!
Shall I send you a set of these four pads from the scraps?

( I had hoped that the strips would be a bit narrower.  Unfortunately the cut out for the fuse box is only 72mm wide but long enough, and we have plenty of those)

[thelews]

Bummer on the fuse box cutout not matching.  7 mm difference would be noticeable.  Yes, I'll gladly take a set, but I'm deciding on whether to get floor pad too.  Thanks for the offer.

John

[Garry]

Alfred,
Given all the variations all over these cars, it would not surprise me if there were different sizes for those trunk pieces in other cars so would not be scrapping the cutout just yet.

Johns material certainly looks like the same material that has over tome lost the stamping marks.

Garry

[jameshoward]

Alfred,

If you have a shipment coming to the UK and I can get in on it (no hurry!!), I'd like a set of boot material and an interior set, please. LHD auto car.

Many thanks,

James

[hkollan]

Hi Alfred,

I am interested in an inside set as well, LHD car w/manual transmission. Thanks.

Hans

[rwh]

Hi,

I will need one trunk set and one inside firewall set.  I already received my engine compartment firewall pad -- great, prompt service!!

RH

[mclewis]

Alfred,

Please put me down for one complete set (firewall, interior firewall and trunk).

Thank you.

[Rolland]

Alfred,

I'll take a set of inside firewall pads for drivers & passenger side, plus a set of the trunk strips. 

Thanks for your efforts!

Rolland

[66andBlue]

Rolland, mcLewis and rwh,
for the inside firewall pads I need to know whether you have an automatic or a manual shift car.
Thanks.

[waqas]

Alfred,

Received my firewall pads. They look great-- thanks for all your hard work in organizing this effort!

Please sign me up for a pair of inside pad sets, and a pair of trunk pad sets. Both sets for a left-hand drive, manual transmission, 230 SL.
[Having a pair of mechanically identical pagodas manufactured only 2 months apart sometimes provides benefits in parts inventory management]

Best regards,
-Waqas

[chumps]

Please count me in for a set of inside firewall pads and a set of trunks strips and hold down pads. 1971 automatic. Thanks, Chumps

The engine firewall pad looks great. Thanks for all of your hard work.

[mclewis]

Alfred,

Sorry.  It is a 1968 automatic.

Thank you.

Marc

[Aligator]

Hi Alfred
I would like all set of pads to 230SL 1965 with manual gearbox

Thanks
Martin

[jameshoward]

Alfred,

If you have a shipment coming to the UK and I can get in on it (no hurry!!), I'd like a set of boot material and an interior set, please. LHD auto car.

Many thanks,

James

Sorry Alfred, I'm an idiot. How hard can it be? My car is a MANUAL, not an auto. You'd think I'd have figured that out by now. My Land Rover, IS an auto, however. Perhaps that's where the confusion crept in. Anyway, to confirm, it's a LHD manual 230.

[69 280]

Good morning,
I will take two sets of the inside pads and boot, sorry trunk,  srtips please.
Mine are both auto.


Thanks
Hamid

[Garry]

Hamid,

There is a difference between Left and Right hand inside pads.  You sure you want Left pads as we have not done any right hand pads. Boot is the same.

Garry

[rmmchl]

i would buy an inside set

[69 280]

Garry,
Thank you for the heads up. I did not realise there were no RHD. In that case I will have the boot (trunk) strips only. Will/is there plan for inside RHD pads.
Thanks again.
Hamid

[Tom]

Alfred,

I would take the inside pad and trunk pad for that price.

Best,

Tom

[jszeman1]

I would like 2 sets of inside firewall pads and trunk strips.  Thanks, John

[69280sl]

One set, inside pads

Gus

[BABAK]

Will this need shoe polish too ?
How original is that?

[Rolland]

Alfred, have to say sorry as well.  Mine is a manual tranny.

Thanks,

Rolland

[66andBlue]

Thanks Rolland!
I still need to know from Tom, rmmchl, and jszeman1 what kind you need!
Please check this table whether I made the correct choice - sometimes my ESP works, sometimes it doesn't.  
Anyone missing from this list?

Name	Automatic	Manual	Trunk strips
Claudia	2	0	2
Hauser	0	2	2
DaveB	0	1	1
bogeyman	0	1	2
George Des	0	1	1
Jordan	0	1	1
Achim	0	2	1
ghenne	0	1	1
msalemi	1	0	1
jameshoward	0	1	1
rwh	1	0	1
mclewis	1	0	1
Rolland	0	1	1
Waqas	0	2	2
champs	1	0	1
230slhouston	1	0	0
Aligator	0	1	1
Tom	0	2	2
rmmchl	1	0	0
jszeman1	2	0	2
Gus	1	0	0
hkollan	0	1	0
Garry	1	1	2
Drewtee	0	0	1
Iconic	0	0	1
Naj	0	0	2
ricrose	0	0	1

[DaveB]

I am listed twice so please delete one entry.
Thanks Alfred.

[Garry]

Hi Alfred,

One Auto, one Manual interior and 2 trunk strips set

Garry

[Benz Dr.]

Are you going to have enough material for all of these sets aside from the dash pads? Assuming you have a limited supply and then it's used up, do you have an alternate supply or will this be a '' until supplies last '' run?

[ricrose]

Alfred

If these will be suitable for RHD cars - I need one set (auto) + one set for the boot (trunk)

Thanks

[66andBlue]

Sorry, no pads for RHD - see replies #35 + 36
but I added your trunk strip request.

DaveB - your twin morphed into Garry  

[69 280]

Hello Alfred,
Please add me to the list for 2 sets of trunk strips.
Cheers
Hamid

[atuningley]

If you still have some available I would like the inside firewal, trunk and footwell set.

[Tomnistuff]

I too would like one set of inside firewall pads for a 67 230SL Manual Trans Left Hand Drive.
Thanks,
Tom Kizer

[69 280]

Hi Alfred,

One Auto, one Manual interior and 2 trunk strips set

Garry

Garry,
Have you secretly bought left hand drives that we have not been told of yet!

[Garry]

Hamid.
No am still looking for a RHD Blue Pagoda.  it was a vane hope for RH internals.

As Alfred has said, there will be no RH internal pads so only seeking Trunk strips.

[JamesL]

Sorry, no pads for RHD - see replies #35 + 36
but I added your trunk strip request.

DaveB - your twin morphed into Garry  

Us "righties" are being blatantly discriminated against by the "sinistres". Gulliver's Travels in a Pagoda

[tapiap]

Hi Alfred,

Would you be so kind to put me down for:

- 2 sets of the inner firewall pads

- 2 sets of the trunk pads

- 2 sets of the LHD firewalls pads

Thanks,

Pablo

[66andBlue]

Updated request list.
Anyone missing from this list?

Name	Automatic	Manual	Trunk strips
Claudia	2	0	2
Hauser	0	2	2
DaveB	0	1	1
bogeyman	0	1	2
George Des	0	1	1
Jordan	0	1	1
Achim	0	2	1
ghenne	0	1	1
msalemi	1	0	1
jameshoward	0	1	1
rwh	1	0	1
mclewis	1	0	1
Rolland	0	1	1
Waqas	0	2	2
champs	1	0	1
230slhouston	1	0	0
Aligator	0	1	1
Tom	0	2	2
rmmchl	1	0	0
jszeman1	2	0	2
Gus	1	0	0
hkollan	0	1	0
Garry	1	1	2
mbzse	0	1	1
TOMNISTUFF	0	1	0
Al T	0	1	1
tapiap	2	0	2
Drewtee	0	0	1
Iconic	0	0	1
Naj	0	0	2
ricrose	0	0	1

[66andBlue]

Are you going to have enough material for all of these sets aside from the dash pads? Assuming you have a limited supply and then it's used up, do you have an alternate supply or will this be a '' until supplies last '' run?

Hi Dan,
did you talk to my supplier?  
Well folks we have just enough of the original material to satisfy the request for the LHD and RHD firewall pads in the engine compartments. When the company packed up the last remaining material they were 5 rolls short and when the packages arrived we had to discard another half a roll.
However ...  
the company offered me an alternative material  - same waffle pattern as the other but with a different, more coarser surface on both sides. It is also darker (no need for shoe paste - sorry Babak!)  and slightly thicker and therefore a bit stiffer.  We do not know whether this material was also used by Mercedes but it could well be, and Brian at Motoringinvestments believes that he noticed a similar material in an older Porsche model.
I am attaching some high res. photos that show this material - I believe that is quite suitable for the intended purpose and I plan to use it my 280SL that I am currently restoring. However, please note that there are some small areas (red circle 3rd photo) where the imprint is a bit shallow but they are infrequent.
Those of you who have already received the LHD pads should also look at the backside of those pads. The backside surface is very much like the surface of this alternative material.

I will also send a PM to all who have expressed an interest and ask whether you still want to purchase inside pads made from this alternative material.

[nikopu]

Please add me to the list: one set for inside (Automatic) and one for the trunk.

Thanks,Niko

[Shvegel]

I need an inside firewall set and a trunk set.  I could also use another outside firewall set LHD.

[jaymanek]

Hi I'm late to this but I would like one please. My car is manual and LHD. Please advise how much and to whom I pay!

[w113NY]

i would also like to buy a set. can i be added to the list? the car is a manual LHD. cheers, christian

[perry113]

I need 2 firewall pads
65 230SL Automatic left hand drive
64 230SL 4 speed left had drive

Thanks Peter

[gtait]

Hi,

I will take one set of inside mats and one set of trunk strips.

Regards

Gil

[Pawel66]

Dear Alfred,

I would also be interested inthe inside set (280SL, 1970, LHD, automatic, no aircondition), as well as in the set for trunk.

Best regards,
Pawel

[SilverSpear]

I am in too for the LHD Automatic + Trunk pieces.

[66andBlue]

The wait is over, we finally got all the inside firewall pads in.
Unfortunately, because of the limited quantity of the material (even the alternative one) we have only a small production run of 30 sets.
Second because the width of the toe board pads is a bit larger than 20" we would have had a lot of unused material.  For this reason we decided to also offer the two pads on the upper firewall under the linkages for the windshield wipers (see photo). I hope that many of you can use those too.
In my first post I mentioned a price of $125 for the two toe board pads (left and right).
1. We can keep this price but only if you order the full set of four (4) pads for $160/set of 4.  
2. If you want only the lower two toe board pads then the price will be $135/set of 2.
3. The upper two pads alone will cost $50/set of 2.
4. You can order the left toe board piece for either a manual shift car or for a car with automatic transmission but we need to know which one.

Please note that shipping costs will be added to the prices above. Because of the large size of the shipping box (24" x 24" x 3") shipping to Europe will be expensive, about $45 - $50/set of 4!

The strips in the trunk are now also available. Price for the 3 stripe and the 4 rectangles (see photo) that hold the cable down is $60.
I will send all of you who have expressed an interest an email through the web site soon asking if and what you want to order.

Please note that the pieces shown are not all installed yet and may be just leaning against the wall of the trunk floor.

[Pawel66]

Alfred, I am not sure if I was close enough on the list, but if it is available - I would go for the whole set: upper, lower and trunk for LHD automatic.

Awaiting the sentence....

[114015]

Dear Alfred,

Thanks a lot for your great effort.
Personally I would like to stick to my request in the same way as in the Nov 27 - list:

Name    Automatic   Manual   Trunk strips
Achim   0   2   1

I'd like the whole inside firewall set (2 fold, = 2 times 4 pieces) and one trunk strip set.

Thank you very much,

Achim

[66andBlue]

It appears that I did not explained in sufficient details what you get within each option.
So here is a visual description of each option:
Option 1: Four different pieces for the inside firewall: $160.00



Option 2: Two different pieces for the toe board area (must select manual or automatic): $135



Option 3: Two different upper firewall pads: $50



Option 4: 7-piece set of trunk strips: $60

[Tomnistuff]

I suppose there are no plans to make the small piece that goes on the inside above the pedals, the one that has the hole in it for the underhood power outlet.  My old brittle and broken one is about 15 1/2 inches by 6 inches.  Maybe you've got some scrap that size that you could send along with the four-piece sets and the upper sets.  I can make a dimensioned sketch from mine if it would help.  See the photo.
Tom Kizer

[66andBlue]

Hi Tom,
we did not get any requests for this part. Probably because it is so hidden few people know about.  
Making these dies is a costly problem!
So, a strip (16 x 6 inches) should be enough to cut one yourself?

[Larry & Norma]

Would it be possible for the dimensional drawings for all these parts to be posted?

[Garry]

I wonder if it is mirror imaged for RHD?

Garry

[Tomnistuff]

Regarding the extreme upper inside pads above the driver's feet (LHD), here are two Word Documents, each with half the pad pattern full scale.  Print it full scale on U.S. Letter size paper (8.5x11 inches), cut each at the cut line and tape them together.  Then cut out the pattern and use it on the 16 x 6 inch scrap material if we get some.  It worked perfectly for me.
Tom Kizer
I just tested it using the posted attachment and it worked.
Tom Kizer
MODIFICATION!:  Use the Word Documents in the next post, not the ones in this post.  The next post documents contain dimensions that can be used to check your printer scaling.
Tom Kizer

[Tomnistuff]

At Alfred's suggestion, I have modified the sketches in the Word documents to provide a couple of dimensions that can be used to verify your printer scale, and rescale if necessary.
The actual dimensions of the final pad are 15 - 11/16 inches long by 6 - 3/8 inches wide.  That's the size of the piece of material that will be required.

Also, I have attached a photo of my old pad with a couple of white lines (cords) to show that the lines are not all parallel or perpendicular, although this piece is so well hidden under the dash that I doubt a small error would be noticed or even detectable.

Tom Kizer

[66andBlue]

Unfortunately, all of you waiting for the pads I must ask you to have patience for a little longer.
Upon the advice of the die cutter and to save on costs we decided to make a large die for the pad in automatic cars and then use a much smaller die to cut an additional opening in the already cut automatic pads for the pad in manual cars.  That meant that I had to decide how many automatic pads to convert into manual pads. Well I did not hit the mark.  
I read somewhere that in the USA the ratio of automatic/manual cars sold was about 3/1.  I knew from the preliminary inquiries that there were more manual car owners wanting them than the ratio suggested and I picked a 1-to-1 ratio. Turns out the actual orders run almost 2 manual-to-1 automatic!
That by itself is an interesting situation - and I wonder why? Anybody have a suggestion or explanation?
Anyway,  now we have to cut more manual pads and since this is only a very small order for the shop we need to wait a little longer in the queue.
---
Upper left corner pad.
Tom,
I was able to find enough material (that we wanted to use to cut out the rectangles to hold down the cable in the trunk) to provide about 7 strips for those who want to purchase additional material for that purpose.

[Tomnistuff]

OK, Alfred.  Let me be the first (at least publicly on this thread) to order a strip for the Upper Left Corner Pad.  It should go well with the Option 1 (four pads) that I have already ordered.
Tom Kizer