1970 280SL with bundt wheels

[timjshanahan]

Hello, I'm just checking to see if the wheels on my newly acquired Pagoda are original to the car or if they has been added. I guess my question is, did any of the 70's come with the Bundt wheel or did they all come from the factory with the two piece color matched wheels? Thanks for your replies.

Tim

[Lorsar]

Yes Bundt rims were an option on 70s pagodas.  Whether or not yours came with them would be on the data card.  And then you would need to look on the inside of the rim for the mb part # as your rims may have been replaced.  There were aftermarket rims available.   Lots of good info in the tech manual if you become a full member.   
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/Start

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/WheelsTires/Start

[timjshanahan]

Thanks for the reply. I assume the data card you are mentioning comes from Classic Center? Is there other ways of obtaining the data card?

[Lorsar]

Did your car come with any manuals or documentation?  It might be in there.  Otherwise classic center is the only way.

[timjshanahan]

THX, yes it came with the owners manual and paperwork but no card. Obviously the vin tag on the door is there as is the vin plate on the fire wall. Not much to go on, so I'll buy the Data card tomorrow morning. THX

[MikeSimon]

For a 1970, the Bundt wheels may not show on the data card as they were a "dealer installed option" at that time. They came in sets of four, while the later factory installed alloys were a set of five and the car had a different spare wheel holder.

[timjshanahan]

Thank you for the reply. The spare tire is steel and original. Is there a way to determine of the Bundt wheels are original dealer wheels? They look great on the car, however I would like to bring the car back to factory specs and don't want to add the steel wheels and hubcaps unnecessarily.

[Lorsar]

Look for the part number on the inside of the rim

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=WheelsTires.Alloys

But even then there is not a way to be sure unless you have the original bill of sale

[timjshanahan]

Thanks for all of the help on the wheels. Classic Center told me that no 280SLs came from the factory with the BUNDT wheels, and as stated by Lori, the only way to know is if you have the original Bill of Sale, which I don't, therefore I'll go with what I like and keep the current wheels.

Tim

[MikeSimon]

Thanks for all of the help on the wheels. Classic Center told me that no 280SLs came from the factory with the BUNDT wheels, 

Tim

Incorrect. Option code 640 and 642 described factory alloy wheels. here is the relevant note from the Technical Manual. For some things the Classic Center is NOT the source of all wisdom.

Light alloy rims "Bundt cake" (as of 10/69). "Here's an interesting excerpt I found from an old "Star" magazine that gives some history on these "old style" alloy wheels: The old style alloy wheels were initially a dealer installed option in the fall of 1969 on 1970 models. The part # 108 400 0902 is stamped on the inside of the rim. These wheels were painted silver, but not treated with a clear coat. After July 1970 cars ordered with the alloys were delivered direct from the factory with five alloy wheels." (46)

[timjshanahan]

Thank you for your knowledge and update. I'm going to remove one of the wheels to insure I know the part numbers. I assume given that I have a steel wheel as a spare, I most likely did not have the factory provided set. Also, I will be receiving the data card shortly, which should also provide some insight to the factory provided items.