Author Topic: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels  (Read 2435 times)

AdelaidePagoda

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Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« on: June 29, 2022, 12:07:48 »
I have discovered that my 230SL has two missing ‘panels’ inside the trunk, between the two rear tail lights and behind where the number plate sits. There are two holes approx. 5” by 6”, with two screws at the top of each that indicates that some sort of cover should be there, however is no longer.

Does anyone know what should be there, what the part number is, or material of the cover should be?

I have attached the only photo of a car that I can see the missing panels highlighted by the two green arrows. Could not find anything on this forum.

Your help, as always, is appreciated.
Dave Cleghorn
January 1964 230SL 4SPD Power Steering
050 050 Black Soft top, Red Leather interior
Italian delivered/ Germany/ Florida/ Boston/ Sydney/ Adelaide (5th owner)

Model S Tesla
Vespa

Charles 230SL

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2022, 14:37:05 »
Dave, there should be two access covers there. I've attached a photo of mine along with an SLS link for the covers: https://www.sls-hh-shop.de/main/en/mercedes-280-500sl-c-r-c107-/60-body-raw-frame-floors-and-panelling/63-64-c-boot-boot-floors-tail-panels-sl/cover-rear-panel-inner-p-6116

Charles 230SL

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2022, 14:42:21 »
Another photo - sorry :-\ but I couldn't find a Mercedes part number

MikeSimon

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« Reply #3 on: June 29, 2022, 15:09:16 »
The MB part-number is 113 093 0033. Used on all models.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

mda

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« Reply #4 on: June 29, 2022, 18:07:26 »
w114 have the same installed.

AdelaidePagoda

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2022, 02:42:42 »
Thank you all for the solution and photos Charles! This is most helpful and I will order the parts accordingly. This is a hidden part of the Pagoda that does not get much attention and does not appear in photos on this forum or BAT 😀
I have never heard anyone ask ‘Does it have its original trunk access covers?’ 😂
Dave Cleghorn
January 1964 230SL 4SPD Power Steering
050 050 Black Soft top, Red Leather interior
Italian delivered/ Germany/ Florida/ Boston/ Sydney/ Adelaide (5th owner)

Model S Tesla
Vespa

AdelaidePagoda

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« Reply #6 on: July 02, 2022, 01:54:03 »
Given you knowledge of the correct trunk features, would you happen to know what is supposed to fit into the tool retainers also located at the rear of the trunk near the spare and taillight?

I have attached a photo to explain, what goes in positions 1/2/3?

Many thanks!
Dave Cleghorn
January 1964 230SL 4SPD Power Steering
050 050 Black Soft top, Red Leather interior
Italian delivered/ Germany/ Florida/ Boston/ Sydney/ Adelaide (5th owner)

Model S Tesla
Vespa

Jonny B

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« Reply #7 on: July 02, 2022, 15:26:06 »
Hard to say for sure, but it looks like 2 (is it at a slight angle?) and 1 could be used for the lug wrench, and 3 for the wheel centering pin (currently shown in mounting point 2)
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

MikeSimon

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2022, 19:52:56 »
One of the clips is identified as 115 640 0051 for 230SL up to 007204 it says it is for "Kombischlüssel" - Combination Wrench. Looks like there is a wrench for early 230SLs that is not part of later models.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

AdelaidePagoda

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels & the 230SL trunk clips?
« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2022, 08:09:14 »
Jonny B, yes, it is welded at a slight angle perhaps indicating the shape of the tool intended to go in there? Therefore 1 & 2 could hold the same lug wrench?

I will swap the wheel centering pin over to position 3.

Attached are all the tools the tool kit came with plus the lug wrench. It does not fit neatly into both the clips labelled 1 & 2 on the original photo. Is there another early 230SL tool that I should get for these clips?

If so, does anyone have a photo and model number?

Thanks

« Last Edit: July 03, 2022, 08:16:17 by AdelaidePagoda »
Dave Cleghorn
January 1964 230SL 4SPD Power Steering
050 050 Black Soft top, Red Leather interior
Italian delivered/ Germany/ Florida/ Boston/ Sydney/ Adelaide (5th owner)

Model S Tesla
Vespa

MikeSimon

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« Reply #10 on: July 03, 2022, 12:33:43 »
The lugwrenches I have seen fit into loops on the outside of the canvas wrap. "Kombischlüssel" is usually a combination of a box end and open end. Don't know if 230SL had one. I have seen these wrenches. Always thought they came from sedans or R107
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Charles 230SL

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels & the 230SL trunk clips?
« Reply #11 on: July 03, 2022, 14:06:50 »
Jonny B, yes, it is welded at a slight angle perhaps indicating the shape of the tool intended to go in there? Therefore 1 & 2 could hold the same lug wrench?..
Clips 1 and 2 are indeed for the early 230sl lug wrench, and clip 3 is for the wheel alignment tool: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=30392.msg220109#msg220109

Jonny B

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« Reply #12 on: July 03, 2022, 15:00:38 »
I looked at the photo of the tool set you posted, and the "lug wrench" as shown (if I am looking at the correct item) is NOT a standard piece. Someone has seriously messed with it. The proper lug wrench is as Charles 230SL states and shows in the link. Also the early car lug wrenches (these cars have the separate middle wheel cover and trim ring) has a claw at the end for removal of the middle cap. These are out there, but are more difficult to find than the later type with the blunted end.

Here is a link that discusses the hooked for no-hook lug wrenches, with photos:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=27173.msg194861#msg194861
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

AdelaidePagoda

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« Reply #13 on: July 04, 2022, 09:03:08 »
Jonny B, you are right, on close inspection, a previous owner has in fact welded on an extra arm! I trust this was to make it easier to get rotational force on the lug and remove it. It is an original Mercedes’ Benz Lug wrench with the claw you describe. It may well be the original although we will never know. It could easily be returned to its original condition with an angle grinder, although at this stage I like its rustic charm and modified provenance.
Thanks for confirming Charles 230SL, much appreciated.
Dave Cleghorn
January 1964 230SL 4SPD Power Steering
050 050 Black Soft top, Red Leather interior
Italian delivered/ Germany/ Florida/ Boston/ Sydney/ Adelaide (5th owner)

Model S Tesla
Vespa

MikeSimon

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« Reply #14 on: July 04, 2022, 12:45:03 »
Is the valve-adjustment goat-foot wrench an original 230SL tool-kit item?
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Jonny B

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Re: Mystery of the missing Trunk Panels
« Reply #15 on: July 04, 2022, 16:12:07 »
As far as I know, the valve adjustment tool is not a part of the 113 tool kit.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor