Center tray in plastic 220SE Coupe

[thomasw]

Hi! I have a early unrestored W111 220SE Coupe that has a tray in maccassar but the base is of plastic. Anyone seen this before? Those on type Ebay is of wood as far i can see.

[wwheeler]

I have seen the wood ones before. The later cars with the window switches in the center console i think had plastic.

[thomasw]

OK, but mine is very thin and has the same veneer as the dashboard.

[wwheeler]

All all the exotic wood on these cars is veneer. The base wood is poplar or birch or whatever. Dash wood is the same deal.

[thomasw]

All all the exotic wood on these cars is veneer. The base wood is poplar or birch or whatever. Dash wood is the same deal.

So the tray is made of wood? Strange because mine is of thin plastic.

[wwheeler]

The one I got from a salvage yard was composed of common plywood (maybe 10mm thick) and then a thin veneer was laid on top of that. I used Burl Walnut to match my W111 interior. I imagine they used plywood so they could bend to the curvy shape.

Is the plastic on yours the outer skin or is it the base material? Take a picture of the plastic part. The W111 coupes and cabs took over from the Ponton. I have both btw. While the Ponton c/c was a money is no object build, the W111 had some cost savings. As the model progressed, more things became less handcrafted and used more plastic. Seat hinges are a good example. The Ponton and maybe (?) early 220SE, had a solid chromed steel hinge. No covers over the screws. My '68 280SE has chrome plated brass covers that cover the unfinished hinges. The final W111 used a chromed plastic cover to replace the brass piece.

Based on that, I wouldn't be surprised if plastic became a material used for the tray on the later cars.         

[opopotts]

My early 1961 220 SE coupe has a tray with a plastic base and Palisander wood sides. I haven't seen it on later models 250SE

[thomasw]

My early 1961 220 SE coupe has a tray with a plastic base and Palisander wood sides. I haven't seen it on later models 250SE

Thanks! That is good to know, mine is the same but my veneer is macassar.
What body number does you car have if you don't mind asking? Mine is 216. It was delivered to a Swedish fellow in June 1961 that lived in Switzerland , he ordered the car after a visit of the opening of the new Mercedes museum 24 of February there two was presented to the press. Those two was manufactured late 1960.   

[thomasw]

The one I got from a salvage yard was composed of common plywood (maybe 10mm thick) and then a thin veneer was laid on top of that. I used Burl Walnut to match my W111 interior. I imagine they used plywood so they could bend to the curvy shape.

Is the plastic on yours the outer skin or is it the base material? Take a picture of the plastic part. The W111 coupes and cabs took over from the Ponton. I have both btw. While the Ponton c/c was a money is no object build, the W111 had some cost savings. As the model progressed, more things became less handcrafted and used more plastic. Seat hinges are a good example. The Ponton and maybe (?) early 220SE, had a solid chromed steel hinge. No covers over the screws. My '68 280SE has chrome plated brass covers that cover the unfinished hinges. The final W111 used a chromed plastic cover to replace the brass piece.

Based on that, I wouldn't be surprised if plastic became a material used for the tray on the later cars.         

Base of plastic, veneer of macassar.