Author Topic: Headlights/Tail lights - for '68  (Read 6625 times)

Trip

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Headlights/Tail lights - for '68
« on: November 06, 2014, 12:42:23 »
My car is number 844 from the first year 1968.  Although I have no clue about its accident history, the headlights have that amber strip along the bottom and tail lights are mostly red, with small clear rectangle along bottom - one guy
has said "hey buddy, you got 250SL tail lights  and headlight doors on your car" - another guy has said, the EARLY models used"Leftover" 250SL headlights and tail lights, before the color changes.  MY car seems original and titled as a '68
it equally seems odd that all 4 lights would changed over time with earlier style.  SO the question is, is it entirely possible that my car came from factory with 250SL lights, or is that not possible?
Your thoughts?

Jonny B

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Re: Headlights/Tail lights - for '68
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2014, 16:28:58 »
I checked the tech manual - here is the information on the taillights:

The All-Red lights were installed on all W113 cars until the change to the final late rear light in early 1969 beginning with the 280 SL with VIN 007937. So for your car the red lights are correct in the back.

Try the manual (need to be full member). LOTS of information in there.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

jameshoward

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Re: Headlights/Tail lights - for '68
« Reply #2 on: November 06, 2014, 22:05:01 »
Jonny,

That's the case for US cars. Outside the US the rules on light colours are different. I think that from late 66 the UK required the orange indicators.

JH
James Howard
1966 LHD 230SL

bogeyman

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Re: Headlights/Tail lights - for '68
« Reply #3 on: November 06, 2014, 22:10:08 »
My #8014 (I know that's close) has all red taillights.
Rick Bogart
1970 280SL Black(040)/Parchment
1969 280SL Silver(180)/Green
1993 500E
1972 350SL
1995 E320 Cabrio

KevinC

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Re: Headlights/Tail lights - for '68
« Reply #4 on: November 06, 2014, 22:49:21 »
Trip,

These cars were not assembly line vehicles like todays cars. MANY changes took place not so much with the engine displacement change (230/250/280) or the year. Your set-up sounds just right for a 280SL produced in 1968 for the US. I wouldn't say that you have a 280SL with 250SL lights...you have a 280SL with early 280SL lights.

Kevin   

Trip

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Re: Headlights/Tail lights - for '68
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2014, 13:41:36 »
THANKS MEN! EXCELLENT - NOT CHANGING THEM!

Jonny B

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Re: Headlights/Tail lights - for '68
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2014, 16:04:50 »
James,

Thanks for the heads up, I just did not scroll through the whole of the write up.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor