Author Topic: Question about center chrome piece and other US vs. Euro diffs?  (Read 2047 times)

roymil

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I've been working on my tail lights and pulled off the rear chrome trim to replace the rubber.  When I ordered parts I noticed some 280's have a center chrome piece between the rear bumpers that I don't have.   Is this purely a difference with all US models, to allow room for larger number plates, or is it something else for different years.   

This made me wonder what else is different between US and Euro models?   Does anyone know of a complete US vs Euro list of differences?   
thanks much, Mark
Mark Miller
1968 280SL
Rode in his pagoda's first mile.

roymil

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Re: Question about center chrome piece and other US vs. Euro diffs?
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2022, 21:28:33 »
Here's a pic in case it wasn't clear
Mark Miller
1968 280SL
Rode in his pagoda's first mile.

Pawel66

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Re: Question about center chrome piece and other US vs. Euro diffs?
« Reply #2 on: March 29, 2022, 05:34:55 »
Yes, this chrome piece was used in Euro cars and not used on the US cars because of the license plate dimensions.

The list of differences is quite long and changed in time. Starts from the engine components, e.g. FIP, camshaft, etc. and goes through cosmetic items - door upholstery, rear view mirror, steering wheel trim etc.

Numerous posts on the forum about it, if you use the search function.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

johnk

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Re: Question about center chrome piece and other US vs. Euro diffs?
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2022, 21:52:14 »
My 280 is an Italian car and doesn’t have this chrome strip. There wasn’t any mounting holes for it either when I took it down to bare metal. I assume it was just used on some euro cars?
John Krystowski
Avon Ohio
1968 Euro 280sl under restoration
2016 Jag F-Type R sold june 2021
1950 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS For sale
2008 E350
2007 GL 450
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dirkbalter

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Re: Question about center chrome piece and other US vs. Euro diffs?
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2022, 02:20:21 »
Mine had the chrome strip. Its aluminum, chrome plated. I choose to leave it off since it will get a US plate. The clips to mount it are riveted into the rear panel .

https://www.sls-hh-shop.de/main/en/mercedes-230-280sl-w113-/88-b-chrome-parts-outer-body/269041-p--281
Dirk
66 230 SL
70 280 SEL
53 CHEVY 3100
18 C300 COUPE
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Pawel66

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Re: Question about center chrome piece and other US vs. Euro diffs?
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2022, 05:26:44 »
About fitting this strip: after chassis restoration work I did not have the holes for the rivets and since the fit of this strip is very tight, I decided it is beyond my skills to drill the new ones in proper spots. i used double sided adhesive tape for emblems fitting to mount this strip.
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class

Jordan

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Re: Question about center chrome piece and other US vs. Euro diffs?
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2022, 13:33:51 »
I used a bracket to hold the license plate away from the chrome piece and the body (to prevent scratching) and a thin piece of rubber behind the bracket mount where it attaches to the body.

Marcus
66 230SL  Euro 4 speed

MikeSimon

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Re: Question about center chrome piece and other US vs. Euro diffs?
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2022, 18:14:37 »
My car is a December 1970 production German spec car. It has the strip.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Pawel66

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Re: Question about center chrome piece and other US vs. Euro diffs?
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2022, 19:13:07 »
Nice picture!

113042 does not have separate parts lists for World and Canada/US, the strip is there on the parts list.

For 113043 and 113044 the strip is present for World markets with no exclusions nor limitations. No notes, nothing.

For  113043 and 113044 for Canada/US markets the strip is not on the parts list.

As for 113042 I would not conclude based on parts list that it was fitted in the US cars - I would think the US/Euro parts application was done based on a different specs system, not the same parts list. But I do not know that, just supposition.

For 113043 and 113044 however, I am quite certain that for the Canada/Us it was not fitted, for other markets it was - unless there was some other market with plates similar to the US or unless there was some special request submitted by customer. But these special cases are often reflected on parts lists. 
Pawel

280SL 1970 automatic 180G Silver
W128 220SE
W121 190SL
G-class