Author Topic: "Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?  (Read 7232 times)

relbhcb

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"Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?
« on: November 10, 2012, 15:38:04 »
In Brian Long's book on the W113 SL he describes which paint colours were the "standard colours" by year. My November 1964 was (and still is) painted in Light Blue 334G, but this colour was not listed as a Standard colour in his book until much later. The Technical Manual on this website ( http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/PaintCodes ) suggests that 334 was available from 1963.

Would my 334G paint have been an Optional Extra, or perhaps a Special Order? Long does not mention the cost of non standard paint in his lists of optional extras.

TIA

Jonny B

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Re: "Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2012, 16:42:39 »
 I just checked Engelen's book (Mercedes-Benz 190 SL - 280 SL, Vom Barock zur Pagode), and that has 334G listed as a standard color as of 9 Sep 1963.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

relbhcb

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Re: "Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2012, 16:52:43 »
Jonny - thank you SO much for that - you are most kind!

At the risk of asking too much, does it give any "suggested" suitable interior colours that go with 334G. I have a 117 (red 2500) MBTex interior - I do like it but it has always struck me as a slightly odd pairing ... ???

The Engelen book does sound excellent & I'd love to have a copy, but with it being in German the price is more than I can justify right now ...

66andBlue

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Re: "Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2012, 19:37:51 »
Yes, there were standard color combinations - chassis paint, interior MB-Tex/leather, softtop - but to know exactly which one your car had you need to have the data card for your car. If you don't have it you can request it from MB. More here: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/DataCards
Under "17 Ausstattung" you'll see the code for the combination. My 230SL is painted in 334G and has code 119 for the color combination.
That code you can find here:
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/MBTex
I have not seen a red interior together with 334G, but it is possible since almost anything could be ordered for a price.
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

relbhcb

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Re: "Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2012, 19:49:56 »
Hi Alfred. I do have the Data Card for my car, and the paint is 334(G) and the upholstery code in Box 17 is "117"; both colours are still on the car - I just wondered if this combo ever featured in the "recommended combinations"? (Unlikely, I agree, but one never knows!)  :)

Garry

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Re: "Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?
« Reply #5 on: November 10, 2012, 21:24:17 »
Julian,

Mine too is the 334G but has a beige interior. Special order as a tourist delivery.

Do you have a photo of your interior, it would be interesting to see it in the red.

I have sen Alfreds and really like the white grey 119.

Garry
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

relbhcb

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Re: "Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?
« Reply #6 on: November 10, 2012, 21:38:19 »
Hi Garry,

Not the best photo or lighting, but herewith a shot showing the inside and exterior.


waqas

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Re: "Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?
« Reply #7 on: November 10, 2012, 23:00:03 »
Hi Julian,

I know that lighting makes a huge difference in how a photograph comes out, but there seems to be quite a difference between the paint color of yours and Garry's cars. Are you sure it hasn't been repainted since new?
I'd love to see more photos of your car, both in the current lighting and in bright sunlight.

My understanding is that MB's recommended color combinations generally paired darker exteriors with light interiors, and vice-versa.
Waqas (Wa-kaas) in Austin, Texas

66andBlue

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Re: "Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?
« Reply #8 on: November 10, 2012, 23:42:08 »
Hi Waqas,
Julian's 334G looks just like mine: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=14408
But I agree with Julian that the red looks slightly odd next to the "hellblau", but still quite nice. I have seen it mostly paired with dark blue (904) or with silver.
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

Garry

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Re: "Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?
« Reply #9 on: November 11, 2012, 03:17:15 »
That interior is very unusual with the 334G combinatoin.

Waqas, my photo is probably overexposed as it was taken inside a shed.

Here it is after just being repainted 334G but not rubbed back
« Last Edit: November 11, 2012, 03:21:24 by Garry »
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

waqas

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Re: "Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?
« Reply #10 on: November 11, 2012, 04:56:58 »
Alfred and Garry, thanks for the photos. I'm really liking 334 the more I see it. I'm still not decided that I want to re-paint my pagoda in the original 268 color (dark green), especially since my 111 coupe is also 268.

The red interior is nice too, although I agree the combination with 334 is not quite right. I've seen the red interior in a black car, as well as midnight blue. I preferred the former. I think one of our members has a red interior in an anthracite car, and that looks decent. Probably the worst combination I ever saw was a green car with red interior!  :o
Waqas (Wa-kaas) in Austin, Texas

Flyair

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Re: "Standard" paint colours - the alternatives?
« Reply #11 on: November 11, 2012, 10:57:50 »
the 63 vs 64 year confusion can also be linked with the fact that at least in Europe the cut off date for a car-year was August. Many if not all manufactures have been putting models for say the year 64 from August/September 63 and similarly every year after.
Stan
1971 280SL
2011 SL550 AMG
2011 GL
2015 GLA