Author Topic: Interesting Video  (Read 1353 times)

Norm

  • Full Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • USA, TX, Wimberley
  • Posts: 315
Interesting Video
« on: January 14, 2020, 17:22:32 »
Norm
1966 230SL 162H Blue-Grey
1994 Acura NSX Formula Red
2024 Acura RDX A-Spec, White Pearl
2016 Mercedes S63 AMG Coupe Obsidian Black
2011 Harley Davidson Super Glide Light / Dark Root Beer

66andBlue

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Solana Beach
  • Posts: 4708
Re: Interesting Video
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2020, 21:36:18 »
For me the interesting part is how longevity allows you to skew history in your favor.
The Pagoda roof was not chosen for the W113 because of more visibility but because of its safety features.
Unfortunately, Friedrich Geiger, Karl Wilfert and Béla Barényi are all dead by now and cannot set the record straight, only Bracq is still around.
https://media.daimler.com/marsMediaSite/en/instance/picture.xhtml?oid=7421089
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=6181
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=9948.msg65661#msg65661
Alfred
1964 230SL manual 4-speed 568H signal red
1966 230SL automatic 334G light blue (sold)
1968 280SL automatic (now 904G midnight blue)

mdsalemi

  • Pagoda SL Board
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, NC, Davidson
  • Posts: 6653
Re: Interesting Video
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2020, 22:35:57 »
The Pagoda roof was not chosen for the W113 because of more visibility but because of its safety features.

Interesting assessment. Note however that "chosen for safety" and "designed for safety" may be two different things. US Patent #3,169,793 of which Barenyi is listed as inventor, and Bracq also listed, have the second paragraph reading:

...since they permit the passengers to enter the vehicle much more easily and also permit the top to be more easily loaded with baggage...

Nothing is mentioned about safety or strength or visibility for that matter. Just saying! Perhaps the safety due to strength was just a byproduct of the design for egress which then led to the choice. The patent is the patent; the choice was made over other designs. Those with my Pagoda book have seen Bracq sketches of the Pagoda with a more conventional roofline. Those without the book here's the page. These are all Bracq sketches made during the W113 development; dates are provided in the text.
« Last Edit: January 14, 2020, 22:48:22 by mdsalemi »
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2022 Ford Escape Hybrid
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid