1964 230SL seats

[Charles 230SL]

hello,
I'm new to the Pagoda SL Group and I know very little about these roadsters.
I purchased my first Pagoda 2 days ago (1964 230SL) at an auction and I have limited background on it. It presently has Recaro seats and although the purchase included two SL seats, they don't appear to be from a 230SL. I want to restore the interior back to original but before I have these supposed 230SL seats upholstered to original (I requested a Data Card from Irvine CA) I want to ensure they're the correct ones. The car also needs seatbelts and I'd like to install correct seatbelts.
The car drives well, is mechanically sound, and the paint looks good.  As I'm told, the engine and transmission were rebuilt approx 1000 miles ago. I just can't accept the risk of my wife driving this car without correct seats and belts.
How can I determine that these are correct seats from a 230SL and how would I go about getting correct seatbelts?

Any help is sincerely appreciated
thanks, Charles

[DaveB]

If you post some photos we can advise. There are many photos of original 230sl seats on this site including the recent "1964 230sl Restoration" post:

http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=16113.msg111471#msg111471

[Charles 230SL]

Thanks, I'll research this site more thoroughly and post some photos.

[114015]

Hey Charles,
Welcome to the Group.
Yes, Dave is correct; there were quite many different seat versions on the pagodas between 63 - 71. I counted 5 (with subversions) in total.
You claim yours is a '64; that means it could have been built actually in 1963.
It is really necessary to see your seats and get your VIN (you can xx out the last two digits- no problem). Then we can advice.

Best regards,

Achim
(113 seats collector)

[al_lieffring]

hey Charles.

The seats in the earliest 230sl are unique from later models in that the seat frame and cushion are the same on both sides, with different hinges and hardware for the left and right sides.
Somewhere around the 65 model year, the seat cushion was widened at the front, these seats are asymmetric, wider on the side towards the center (but symmetric to each other) an even later seat for /8 models has a thicker back rest padding, starting in 69 the seats were fitted with head restraints.

A forum member though I should go take a look at the seats you have, not realising that Griffin is 80 miles away from where I live in Watkinsville.

do let me know if there is anything I can do to help

Al Lieffring
Bishop, GA (Near Athens)  

[Charles 230SL]

thanks Al and Achim,
VIN is 113042-10-003548. If I'm interpreting the Data Card correctly, the car was ordered in 1964 from St. Pierre et Miquelon (Order number 47190164). Data Card shows car delivered on 19 Mar 64.
 
The seats are in remarkable shape but unfortunately, they're the wrong color - Data Card reflects Interior Code of 119 and these seats appear to be Tan.  If these are in fact the correct 230SL seats, I'll need to have them upholstered to white-gray (code 2102) per the data card.
As soon as I get a chance I'll upload pictures (I'm traveling at the moment). I welcome any recommendations on the seatbelts.   
Thanks for the kind offer Al, I will certainly be seeking your advice,,,take care, Charles   

[DaveB]

The original seat belts would have been aircraft style lap belts, if it had belts at all. I don't know what make of lap belts were installed in the early european models. In the US the early lap belts were 'Hickok'. It is possible to install later model 3-point belts, retracting or non-retracting. Type seatbelts into the search engine and you'll get several topics. There's also some information in the technical manual: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Interior/Seatbelts

[114015]

The original seat belts would have been aircraft style lap belts, if it had belts at all. I don't know what make of lap belts were installed in the early european models.

Unica
diagonal torso belts
from 1963 on.
Grey webbing.
Don't know about other colors.


Achim

[114015]

VIN is 113042-10-003548. If I'm interpreting the Data Card correctly, the car was ordered in 1964 from St. Pierre et Miquelon (Order number 47190164). Data Card shows car delivered on 19 Mar 64.
 
The seats are in remarkable shape but unfortunately, they're the wrong color

Seat type 2

Hello Charles,
Your seats should look like the ones in the link that Dave provided earlier


http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=16113.msg111471#msg111471

Sorry please, can't currently find a clearer pic of that seat type in my archive. :'(

Achim

[Charles 230SL]

got it,,,thanks Achim

[Charles 230SL]

Here's pictures of the seats that were included with the purchase of my 230SL. They're obviously not from a 230. At this point I'll need to locate some seats (as well as belts) and have them upholstered to the original 119 interior code. I’ve seen several posts recommending Bud's Benz in Douglasville, GA. Since Bud's appears to be the closest to my location, I'll give them a call and inquire about finding some seats and upholstering them.
 
The seats in the pictures are of no use to me. If anyone has need of them, please let me know

[Bonnyboy]

Those look like the ones out of my BMW 2002 (without headrests).  You may want to advertise in those circles...

Ian

[Charles 230SL]

confirmed several days ago that these seats are from a W108..

Bud's Benz picked up my 230 earlier this week.  I've requested they complete a 'partial restoration' on the car to include seats w/belts.  Will keep you posted.. 

[lurtch]

Hi Charles,

 For the new kid on the block - - -  you are off to a good start.

Bud's Benz is one of the best resto facilities for our cars. The owner David Latham is well known to many of on this website. How is your dash wood? He has replacements made from solid mahogany that are very good and not that expensive.

Larry in CA

[Charles 230SL]

thanks Larry, thats good to know.
Dash wood is in tact but needs to be refinished. The wood appears to be coated wth polyethylene (?) which has peeled off over the years.  I'd like to get Bud's to completely restore/upholster the interior -  I'll ask David about including the mahogany work.
thanks again, Charles

[felgar_1]

This is odd the 65 230 i just got had the same seats sitting in it except red. I thought they didn't look right now i know for sure.
David