230 SL Pagoda

[Paulo Versace]

Dear All.

I have a 2 Owner 1966 SL Pagoda 230 SL.  It has has paint at some stage and is in very good condition. The Interior Seats show signs of age as is expected and i,m told the Carpets are not as per factory spec. I just wanted to ask is kit worth changing the Carpets and Interior to make it exquisite. I know this is a personal thing but I would like the car to be correct as she was made. Does anyone know a Trimmer in the UK, who is fair and reasonable on prices. The Soft Top does show signs of wear and the Trunk floor covering is missing along with the Wheel covering.

I would welcome any advice please
Regards
Paulo V

[Pawel66]

Paulo,

It looks like you have a very nice car there - certainly based only on the pictures you presented. There is this decision moment: do I keep what is there with all the traces of history or do I restore the car to "new" condition as per the factory specs (or to the colours I like - some prefer that).

I think an important input to this decision may be if someone looks at the whole car and provides you advise of what is and what is already not an original and gives you a full scope of "work to be done" if you wanted the car to be original or restored as original. I think this is an important parameter.

For instance:
- carpets indeed may not be as per factory and are (in my view only) spoiled a bit by the speakers. Yes, there are companies in Europe who make very good, original-like carpets. So you may have new carpets.
- then you will see how your seats look like when the new carpets are there and you would decide if you like it or not (this is what happens when you put part of the interior new - the other parts just may look worse).
- seats - they look ok, but someone would need to verify if these are correct seats for your car (I am not saying they are not!), i.e. 230SL 1966. I may be totally wrong, but they seem to me after /8 seats - but again, that can be wrong.
- there are some small things I see that would need to be looked at and decided - some work in trunk side panels, I do not know how your spare wheel is to be attached - left side upright or right side level, if right side level - something may be missing there

Again: depending if you want your car with patine, but original, restored to specs original-like or just very good looking or just decent looking driver - all of these options will require different investments and efforts. And we are talking just interior here, while there may be work to be done on chassis or drive train.

If I were you, I would have shown the car to someone with knowledge about these cars and discuss the above options. I have nobody like that where I am, but you have experts there in the UK (e.g. Collin Ferns).

As for the carpet suppliers the UK Fellow Members will come with advise, I am sure. For Europe - e.g. KHM, Eurotop. For trunk mat - the original was, on the left and center, a grey ribbed rubber mat, PN A1136840104 (as of chassis number 042 007205) and under the spare wheel, on the right a rubber pad PN A1136840404, replaced by A1136840604. They are NLA in Mercedes, so either you need to find the originals on e-bay or look at shops such as e.g. SLS for reproductions.

[Paulo Versace]

Thank you for your reply. The car is a 2 Owner car and that is what attracted me to her. I have had the Data Card read from the Mercedes Classic Centre and the Colour is Original, the Interior says its Caviar and Black Carpets. The Mercedes chaps seemed the think the seats are not Caviar (But I always thought Caviar was black).  The Second owner was an Engineer and did a lot of the work himself. Its been painted at some time and the Fenders replaced as I noticed the Spot Welds missing and the owner agreed they were changed in 1998. Yes the Speakers are a shame and I cant believe someone would install them. This definitely has to go. Can this be bought or made. The Trunk does have a recess for the wheel on the left. The two piece Vinyl is missing and I understand some owners put a carpet in the trunk to match the interior. I want to keep the car as original as possible. The exterior mirrors for example as missing but that's because they were never ordered as also shown on the data card.  I have a 280 SL that's been totally restored but its just parked up, never gets used in case it gets marked or devalues, sometimes I do wonder why?. I want this to be factory correct in every way, as near to concourse as possible but also driveable.

Paulo

[Pawel66]

Well, the speakers must have been giving a good bass "boom" when placed there - just different owner's priority .

Then I think carpets definitely have to be replaced, seats checked and then you will be deciding if you want it concourse ready with original "patina" or new looking... For that I would indeed look for an expert advice unless I had enough knowledge myself, which I do not.

I just remember ny friend's 220SE - he had good leather but worn carpets. Together it looked ok, but he replaced carpets with new ones. Then we looked at it and the leather did not look so nice any more... he replaced it too.

I was not studying topic of the trunk mat and a spare wheel cover with spare wheel on the left. I see in EPC that for early cars you should stated the colour of the upholstery when ordering the trunk mat. You may want to search the forum. Or fellow Members will chime in.

[Paulo Versace]

Hello again.

You are quite knowledgeable, but modest. May I ask what you mean by Concourse ready with original Patina?  Or is new Leather trim classed as Concourse. Do the seats not look original in their shape or coverings?



Paulo

[Pawel66]

Paulo,

You are very kind, thank you, but my knowledge is small compared to someof the gurus here. You have concourse judges here on the forum and criteria as well.

Some of us prefer cars that are fully original with traces of age and of being used for years - this is what I call "patina". So concourse ready with patina - I mean original car with all of its original parts - visbly old and not perfect just because of age.
Some of us either do not have this opportunity as their cars deteriorated beyond acceptable level or just prefer cars to look like new (I am in this camp).

I am not sure how both work in terms of concourse points nor in terms of value - I think it depends on potential customer. Probably original patina is better.

Seats - I wrote it seemed to me these seats may be after /8 seats (later, after 1968 version). But this is just my first sight opinion - do not trust it. Seats in Pgodas are science in its own and I am not an expert. Your seats are probably correct.

[swood1]

Hi Paulo,

I would like to see some pics of your fully restored 280SL.... It's a shame your not getting to use it


Steve

[Paulo Versace]

Hi Steve

Nice to hear from you. What do you do though, for fear of Damaging it or devaluing it, this is what happens. Sometimes I think is it worth having so much money tied up in it, but the Donor car being in need of a complete restoration, Europe was the cheapest place.

P

[Paulo Versace]

Hi again Guru!

I will check with the owner, but as they owned it since 1973 I see no reason they would have changed them.  If any other people are reading this i,m happy to have it original with age but to Concourse or slightly below level if they think this would be good.

Paulo

[Pawel66]

I am sure the seats are ok, I probably raised it unnecessarily.

On the 280Sl standing idle - I have one restored as new. I drive it under very strict rules, one of them being solid surface roads and no rain. I think you need to drive it, at least occasionally. Cars break down when they are not driven...

[Paulo Versace]

Hi P

When did you restore it and who did it for you. Our family has a High end car dealership in the UK and the Car is on a turnstile there. Will get a few pictures when I get a chance.

Paulo

[Pawel66]

She was restored (from the state of the car being in cardboard boxes) over 2012-2017. Here, in Poland, by a number of specialized shops with the supervision of one mechanic, who is receiving 1-1.5 notes for his work in 190SL/Ponton area, but had no huge experience in Pagodas. So my input (studying, getting details etc.) was considerable. Since 2017 we are still perfecting the car piece by piece.

A lot of these shops in Poland are working for German customers due to lower labour costs and some skills they developed in communist times as well as recently - extensive body repairs and overhauls that would be beyond reasonable expense in a developed market were/are still making sense here, where, during communist times, anything that had 4 wheels was of value and, today, when out of pocket expense for a car is an issue.

[Paulo Versace]

Hi P

Yes I know some people in Poland and I have had work done there. Its great and they do not overcharge. Any chance I can see a picture of the inside. send it to my personal e mail if you like.
Paulo

[Paulo Versace]

Is there a shop in Poland you would reccommend. In relation to the Seats and trim is it best bought in a Kit?

Paulo

[waltklatt]

Hello Paolo,

Nice looking 230SL there.
A few things.

Is that a chrome trim strip on the soft top above the rear window?  Hard to see in the picture, but there is a glint of chrome or flash there.
The trunk area is missing an important piece of covering over the fuel filler neck inside(find this piece and put it back as this allows fumes from the tank to waft into the car).
Then there is also the tree that sprouts from the floor to hold the spare tire.
Carpet is not original as it is a typical short fiber felt type, commonly found in British cars(Jaguar, Rolls, Etc.)
The original carpet is of the square weave of the earlier models.
Speakers are set into the wood parcel self.  Perhaps you could ask the trimmer to fabricate a new shelf top or a filler to fill the holes.

Hopefully you can sort out the missing pieces in the trunk before enjoying the car more. 

Thanks,
Walter

[Paulo Versace]

 Afternoon

Its a chrome ;piece that only the 230 SL had i,m told so i,m not sure if its the original. Car was bought new in 66 by a Doctor then sold to another couple in 73, they are they owners till now. Provenance is good. The Rubber mats are missing you are correct, as is the tyre Cover. The Spare wheel has a recess it sits in. The Speakers are well, not good!. Carpet is not Original, should it be Square Weave.  Is the Piece in the Boot/Trunk the side pieces and not the floor covering you mention?

Paulo

[waltklatt]

Paolo,
See picture of red circles.
First is your picture with the missing piece.
Second is from website with circled proper cover, spare tire tree and the area of the recess for spare tire(1963-1964 SL's only).
Walter

[Paulo Versace]

Walter

Thanks for the info. When you said tree, I thought you meant Tree in my Garden, I had no idea what you meant. So my car had this Tree which is now absent?

Paulo

[Pawel66]

Paulo,

Early 230SL had the spare wheel stored in upright position on the left side of the trunk. Part of the wheel was inserted into an oval recess in the trunk floor. This, in turn, had a consequence of fuel tank being only 62l (smaller) vs. the later one of 82l. Walt says this applies to years 63-64. Later this recess for spare wheel was eliminated, the spare wheel went to the right hand side, level position, supported by this "tree" (this is the round part on the picture, then you see the wheel choke screwed to it with a butterfly nut). As a consequence the fuel tank could have been enlarged to 82l.

On your picture I saw a wheel lying on the floor in such a way, that you probably do not have this "tree" and I did not see left enough to see if you have recess on the left or not. If you do not have this recess - good, you just need this "tree". It is bolted, not welded to the floor.

If you have this recess - you do not need the tree. I am not sure if the spare wheel had a wrap when it was located upright.

Now: there is a discussion on this forum related to when Mercedes started to install bigger fuel tank and I think Members were talking that late 65 this change was comissioned. This meant cancellation of recess and moving the spare wheel to the right hand side on the tree. Which does not mean it was immediately effected in manufacturing. If you have the recess for the spare wheel and a small fuel tank - your car may be one of the last ones to have been produced with this recess.

[Pawel66]

Paulo,

I see all the pieces you need available at www.sls-hh.de (tree, choke, spare wheel cover (if you need them), floor mats for trunk - with recess and without recess, cover for fuel filler pipe and its seal) as repros. You probably need at least right hand side trunk side panel as well. I marked it with an arrow - it is flying there while it should be pushed in position - not glued, not screwed, just pushed in and hold. You may have it damaged. But as you know what to look for - you may do your own search. You have vendors list on this site and probably there are more sources in the UK. You may post what you need in Wanted To Buy part of the forum - chances are one of the Members will have what you need and it is nicer to support a fellow Member.

I bet you, however, that this may not be your entire list of needs...

As for a shop in Poland - there are a few good ones, but I would be scared to death recommending any of them here. They are good craftsmen, have the tooling, have the materials, but are not keeping any deadlines, are not responding to phone calls and e-mails, you need to watch their back all the time. They are busy doing orders for German customers, as this is priority for them.

[Paulo Versace]

Hi P

You are correct I just checked and no recess is in the car. Spare is lying on its side, so I need the Tree and cover and Trunk linings, and Tank Collar Cover. I have been talking to Tom from Mercedes Classic who is also pricing the car up.  The Car had Rubber Mats Passenger and Drivers side but Carpet everywhere else, Tom has confirmed this as well.  If it had MB Tex i Guess its best to replace with MB Tex?

Paulo

[Paulo Versace]

Dear P
Please could I see your interior

Regards Paulo

[Pawel66]

Paulo,

Various schools on MB-tex vs. leather replacement... Lots of discussions on the forum. Purists would go for MB-tex. Others will switch to leather....

Pictures below. It is neither a perfect interior nor the most beautiful one. It is not fully correct either. You will see incorrect speedo dial immediately, which is now corrected.

I modified my post to show you what I meant before. See the cracks on the steering wheel? This was the original one. It did not look tragic, so I decided to leave it. But then when everything was new, these cracks started sticking out big time... I replaced the steering wheel with a new one.

[Paulo Versace]

P

It looks very nice indeed, did you buy your Interior as a kit, or did a Trimmer make them. There is a Trimmer near us in Cheshire and they manufacture to factory specification, not sure if I should buy a kit, or let him make everything. Thing is fitted they want 10,500.00 plus VAT

Paulo

[waltklatt]

Paolo,
You never mentioned your mechanical/repair skills for the cars.
Perhaps you can do the new carpet set yourself to save a lot of $$.
It's not hard to do, just need to have patience and time to remove the glued down carpet pieces and clean the surface for the new carpet and glue.
Get yourself a very good upholstery carpet glue and use it well when putting the new carpet down.
Maybe you want to add some kind of soundproofing mat down too.
But for the carpet only, 10,500 quid is too much, for that there should be gold and rare gemstones embedded in there.
Walter

[swood1]

Hi Steve

 Sometimes I think is it worth having so much money tied up in it, but the Donor car being in need of a complete restoration, Europe was the cheapest place.

P

It's a hard one... these cars are worth a large amount of money when restored to a high level.  My stance is if you dont need the money for anything else then keep it.  I notice you keen to improve your other car to get to concourse but wont you then have two cars that you dont dare drive...... :O

[Paulo Versace]

Hi Walter

Thanks for your reply, you seem to know a lot about these cars.# and I feel very grateful you sharing your knowledge.

That was for the complete interior. I,m a Mechanical Engineer, and we produce a Range of Refrigeration equipment in Italy and I personally design Mortuaries. I,m told my car would ave left the factory with MB Tex. The Drivers and Passenger side are Vinyl Mat, No soundproofing was used. Carpets everywhere else in square twist. This would be the correct Spec.

I,m thinking I put it back to factory spec if I get it done... whats your view?

Paulo

[Paulo Versace]

Hi Steve

My aim is to get the 230 SL to as correct a spec as possible. Your knowledge is much appreciated here, please feel free to offer your advice. The aim is to use this car but have it in excellent order throughout

Paulo

[mbzse]

.../...I,m told my car would ave left the factory with MB Tex.../... I,m thinking I put it back to factory spec.../...

That is a noble intention, indeed!
It is very hard to find MB Tex (vinyl) today, that corresponds to the type/quality fitted from the factory.
Look closely at some original 230SL cars, both cars with leather and MB Tex.
Then look at a few re-furbished cars. Compare details, seams, the fit around corners etc.

If you want a specific colour, you may have to dye the vinyl to correspond to factory hue

[Paulo Versace]

Hi, Tom at Mercedes Classic centre seems to think that you will obtain it from gahh. They use them as well as they manufacture it to factory spec. I just want the car to be as correct as possible, with runs on the trunk lid bottom, and over spray underneath. These are flaws that were there when the cars were made

Paulo

[Pawel66]

P

It looks very nice indeed, did you buy your Interior as a kit, or did a Trimmer make them. There is a Trimmer near us in Cheshire and they manufacture to factory specification, not sure if I should buy a kit, or let him make everything. Thing is fitted they want 10,500.00 plus VAT

Paulo

It was not a kit, it was an upholsterer who did it. I heard lots of opinions and the fellow members, I am sure, have more experience here on various kit suppliers ups and downs. Seems to me for carpets - a kit may be ok, for leather or MB tex - not really.

I bought the materials from Hans Reinke through their Polish distributor who did the upholstery. Hans Reinke were said to be one of the most true colours per MB catalogue numbers, having leather not died in the back, as required for Mercedes and having the right perforation for seats tubes. No idea if it is all true, but I would like to believe so.

[Paulo Versace]

 Your car looks great, I must admit Pawel. Tom from the Mercedes Classic Centre in Irvine says if you can keep it MB Tex as that's what it left the factory with and rubber mats on Passenger and Drivers Footwells

Paulo

[Pawel66]

Paulo,

Thank you!
I will ask one of my colleagues from the club where he bought his MB-tex. His car is really very nicely done re-creating MBtex upholstery.

[Paulo Versace]

Hi P

That would be really good as I want it to be right. no use buying twice

Paulo

[Pawel66]

Paulo,

Did Tom tell you that? It is something for you: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=28083.0;topicseen

A friend of mine says he bought his MBTex: GermanAutoTops.com, contact was John Oghanesyan.

[Paulo Versace]

Hi P

Yes he did say that about the Rubber mats. The rear of the seats were always in the same carpet as the car. If I buy MB Tex covers what about the rear of the seats?

Paulo

[Pawel66]

Not have a lot of knowledge about early 230SL, but I think I read, to be confirmed, as it had rubber mats in the front, I think the back had carpets - so had the backs of the backrests.

[Paulo Versace]

Hi P


Yes it did as you say. My ;point here is that would the seat cover set come with the Carpet to match the rest of the car?. Not happy really to see the car is not correct and people doing the work to non factory specifications.

Paulo

[Mike Hughes]

I would think that seat cover sets would include all the upholstery on the seats, and the carpet sets would include all the carpet, including that on the back of the seats.

[Paulo Versace]

Hi Mike

So are we saying that once ordered the seat Covers would come with the Carpeting attached or does that fit separately. Or is a case of you send all the seats and Door Cards and they fit everything and send it back like Heritage do. Only thing is Heritage have a UK Restorer and in the UK you have to go through them.

Paulo

[Paulo Versace]

Mike

I noticed you also have a 230 SL 1966. Is it to factory spec. If so could I see the Interior please as this would help me a lot

Paulo

[Pawel66]

Hi Mike

So are we saying that once ordered the seat Covers would come with the Carpeting attached or does that fit separately. Or is a case of you send all the seats and Door Cards and they fit everything and send it back like Heritage do. Only thing is Heritage have a UK Restorer and in the UK you have to go through them.

Paulo

Paulo,

As Mike said: backrests back covers are part of carpet set. Cushion and backrests outer covers are part of leather/MB tex upholstery set.

[mbzse]

Depicted in your photos Paulo is a very nice black original interior. You intend to keep this, yes?

[Paulo Versace]

Hi P

That's very nice of you to clarify as most places just say order on line and its a minefield. I have e mailed the people you mentioned regarding the MB Tex so lets see what they say.

Regards
Paulo

[Pawel66]

Paulo,

Please triple check when you order what you will get.

Best would be if you ask here about recommendations for your choice from the forum - this forum, as collective, has seen it all!

Also bear in mind huge impact of duties, tax and shipment from the US. Well, it matters only if you order in Europe before Brexit  .

[Paulo Versace]

Hi P

Thank you for your words of wisdom. How do I ask other members for their advice as I want to get it right. There is a couple of good German Companies i,m told as well like www.sls-hh.de and 'KHM@cabrio.de

I hope I get it right

Regards
Paulo

[Mike Hughes]

My seats, door cards, kick panels, windshield post and dash coverings are original M-B Tex.  Only the carpet was replaced in 1989, so it has now been in the car longer than the original carpet, and I helped the original owner (who was 85 at the time!) with a great deal of the installation (and then tried to buy the car from him!).

If you are going through M-B Heritage in the U.K. they probably have their own people or approved vendors doing the work.  As strong as the collector vehicle community is in the U.K. there are many available choices for having work of all kinds performed on your Pagoda.  Even on this side of the pond we have been watching with interest and admiration as the concentration of Bichester Heritage collector vehicle services has evolved at the old aerodrome. There are a number of folks on this forum who live in the U.K. and can advise you better than I who to see (and to avoid!)

What I am saying is that one can order a seat kit, which will include all the upholstery to recover the seats.  Some leather seat kits will include enough material  to recover the door cards.  The carpet is not normally part of a seat kit - it is part of a carpet kit.  That way one is assured that all replacement carpet is the same weave, shade of color and quality.   

One can recover the seats without replacing the  carpet.  The carpet is actually fitted to a thin ply panel into which the oblong chrome seat vent grilles are also fitted and can be removed and replaced separately.  The carpeted panel is secured at the bottom of the seat back frame and slides out of the upholstered recess.  All that is needed is to remove the seats from the car to remove, re-carpet and replace the panel, which one would normally do anyway when re-carpeting the interior.  Be careful to avoid damaging the chrome surround when removing and replacing the oblong chrome seat vents.

You will be amazed at how many little pieces are included in the carpet kit!  The individual pieces in the carpet kit will come with bound edges where appropriate, and most carpet kits even include the bound carpet insert for the driveshaft tunnel tray.  The most fiddly bit of carpeting to fit is the large piece that runs from door post to door post around the back of the two-piece package shelf behind the seats.  The vinyl coverings for the corners below the chrome caps adjacent to the door openings where your shoulder harnesses attach are bound to the leading edges of this piece of carpet.  The speakers let into the back wall are not original and you may wish to delete them and seal the holes when re-carpeting your interior as you see fit.

I see your seats are leather and seem from the photos to be in pretty nice nick.  Unless there is damage not visible that is severe enough to be un-repairable you might consider refurbishing and retaining your upholstery and simply dealing with replacing the worn, faded carpet.  You'd be amazed at how a specialist can bring your seats back to life, and how well they will look with new carpeting.  The leather available today, good as it may be, does not hold a candle to what M-B used back in the day.  The modern tanning processes today are more environmentally friendly than the traditional processes from earlier eras.  The door cards should be leather covered if your leather seats were original to the car and, like the seats, can be rejuvenated.  If the door cards are water damaged, a good upholsterer can remove the leather, refurbish and reinstall it on new door cards.  Even the leather dash coverings can be refurbished in place.

[114015]

That was for the complete interior. [...] I,m told my car would ave left the factory with MB Tex. The Drivers and Passenger side are Vinyl Mat, No soundproofing was used. Carpets everywhere else in square twist. This would be the correct Spec.

I,m thinking I put it back to factory spec if I get it done... whats your view?

Very interesting discussion here.
I mostly agree with what Hans and Mike already mentioned.
If your car was delivered with MB-Tex, this should be indicated on the data card.
What does the field "Ausstattung" say?  116? Because that is what is supposed to be "black MB-Tex" on the 230 and 250 SL, which - by the way - have the same material of MB-Tex. Fine grain, so to speak!
Your colo(u)r code would be 116 = Kaviar (caviar), which is deep dark grey,  not black!

So, that's the first hurdle you would attempt changing any non-original material in your car like the seat covers now.
The today's available MB-Tex or MB-Tex replacement is much more coarse and will look like the 280 SL MB-Tex, which is clearly different from the 230/250 SL's MB-Tex. 
The earlier material is just unobtainium worldwide. You will not find it.

Either you would have to go with black ! (black not deep dark-grey) 280 MB-Tex, and the difference will be clearly visible, or you had to find some other sort of aftermarket (US-) vinyl that comes as close as possible to the original 230/250 MB-Tex !
Very hard!
I have never seen a material - aftermarket - that matches the original 230/250 MB-Tex !

2nd
Your (aftermarket ... or perhaps even factory-original) newer leather seat covers look great; so, if I were you I would not change them! Unless you can find a set of original left-over seat covers in 116 caviar from a donor restoration (Alfred here had a set a couple of years ago...).
So, my 2 cents: keep what you have.

As for the carpet, I am with the others. Kick it out and get a new carpet set of black (charcoal) square weave carpet from the usual suppliers here in Europe. Very good quality ... and comes very close to your original 1966 square weave carpet that is no longer with your car. Your stuff there is completely non-original.

If I were you (I am not) I would not buy the driver's/co-driver's floormats with the set but put original rubber mats back to the floorwells - which was the only original choice for 230/250ies back then.
If you dislike the view of the original rubber mats you can cover them with the typical coco-mats available back then or with another kind of mat.

Here is a pic of what the original 116 interior looked (a)like in your car.
The car is/was from Bob Waldman (Cascadia)
Enjoy![/size]

Best,
Achim
(interio(u)r aficionado)

[Pawel66]

Paulo,

I see you started getting a very good pieces of advise here - which is great.
I used KHM for 190SL, but again, others may have a different view and better sources in the UK.

[Paulo Versace]

Hi P

Yes its great having all these people with so much knowledge spend time passing it on.. its a very nice trait indeed

Regards
Paulo

[Paulo Versace]

Achim

Good evening. Thank you for your much valued reply. You are absolutely correct my car was 116 MB Tex Caviar and Black Carpets. The Car is a two owner car. Since then I think the second owner (from 1973 till 2018) changed the Carpets, and Soft Top and put Speakers in the Rear. I really need to get- rid of the Speakers as its a Crying shame. The car did come with Rubber mats and Square Weave Carpet. The Soft Top is also wrong as the strip over the rear only came on cars up to 7640 mine is 14157, so this has to go. So you are saying keep the seats as they are. Wont new Carpets make them stand out even more?, just asking as I have no experience of keeping part worn interiors. I,m told you could cover the Rubber mats with a carpet from the Carpet set I buy to stop wear. Is this right?.
Regards
Paulo

[Pawel66]

Paulo,

Sorry to step in again...

If you change the carpets - you will take a look at the seats. Take it one by one. I think the advise from fellow Members on re-freshening of seats by a professional is a good one - it may turn out that the seats will look good with new carpets.

[Mike Hughes]

Those seats are gorgeous.  They have just the right amount of patina and only need some sympathetic rejuvenating.  Believe me, some people would kill for seats like that.  Freshen up the rest of the interior to compliment the seats and you have a winner!

[Paulo Versace]

Hi P

Thanks so much your advice means a lot.

Paulo

[Paulo Versace]

Hi Mike

Do you really think so. I,m not sure if its the original Seats covering. I looked on line at a 66 230 SL that's For sale and totally unrestored and the seats look identical. Still has the Rubber Passenger Rubber Mats in it. Its up for 250,000.00 GBP. Shall I upload the picture...

This was the link https://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/mercedes-benz/sl-class/224159

Paulo

[Paulo Versace]

Hi All

This was one of the suppliers I wrote to.

http://www.autoberry.com/mercedes/w113

Paulo