|
Changes in-
230/250/280SL .
Following are some external changes made during
production of the Mercedes 230/250/280SL, based on the U.S. roadster version.
Non-U.S. versions were equipped (and changed) considerably differently; for
instance, a right-hand drive version was produced.
Options and accessories
are mainly omitted.
This list was compiled from manuals, parts books and
observation of original cars.
The generally excellent factory literature
is not totally reliable in this case; for example, edition A of the 250SL parts
book shows one-piece wheel covers that were not adopted until a year after
publication.
Besides these (usually) visible changes, listed for the
convenience of a prospective buyer or a concours judge, many internal changes
were also made.
230SL 1964, August: Wheel width increased from
5.5 to 6.0 inches
1964, November: Spare tire well removed;
tire mounted horizontally.
1965, July: Exhaust manifold
changed from sheet steel to cast iron; exhaust headpipes were changed to match.
1965, August: Engine oil dipstick vent and filter omitted.
Shape of horn ring changed from round to flattened top segment. 1965, November
Gear shift lever bent forward 55mm.
Intake air heating coil
added ahead of throttle housing. 1965, December Form of crankcase vent line
changed from two-piece metal to one-piece plastic (the mounting to the valve
cover was also changed from a hollow screw to a rubber sleeve.
250SL 1967, January (start of production): Coupe-only version with rear
bench seat introduced.
Engine fan with viscous drive made standard. Shape
of cooling water tank changed from flat top to round top Water pump made
self-lubricating
Metal loom for ignition wires omitted, replaced by
plastic clips.
Injection pump oil filter cap changed from metal to
plastic.
Seven main bearing engine adopted.
Coolant capacity
increased from 10.8 to 12.9 liters. Fuel tank capacity increased from 65 to 82
liters.
Disk rear brakes introduced. Rear brake proportioning valve
introduced.
Front anti-roll bar diameter decreased from 22 to 20mm.
Symbols added to turn signal switch.
Instrument panel made one-piece
instead of split.
1967, August Interior door handle, lock, and
window crank changed
(the 1967 250SL had the same door hardware as the
230SL; the 1968 250SL door hardware is the same as the 280SL).
Sun visor
mounting changed. Shape of horn ring changed again.
Form of rear view and
side view mirrors changed.
Chrome discontinued on windshield wipers, horn
ring, rear view mirror and door strikers.
Face of ignition lock changed
from convex to concave.
Control knobs flattened. Steering wheel hub made
collapsible, shape changed.
Dash top padding rounded. Injection pump
control shaft support changed.
Brake fluid level warning device added to
master cylinder. Side reflectors added.
280SL 1968, January (start
of production):
Chrome strip under license plate omitted ( this strip
appears on some, but not all U.S. models made before this time). Number plate
moved from firewall to front door jamb.
Firewall insulation pad material
changed from coarse to smooth.
Mirror in passenger sun visor omitted.
Hardtop front handles made separate.
Solid door pockets changed to
elastic.
Interior material changed from wool boucle to synthetic tufted
material.
Heater and air vent levers made of rubber instead of plastic.
Legend plates added around light switch and heater controls.
Emergency four-way flasher made standard.
Floor covering changed from
rubber mats to synthetic carpet.
Headrests added to seats.
Oil/coolant-type oil cooler replaced by oil/air-type cooler.
Angle of oil
filter housing changed.
Covers for sub-frame mounts omitted. Injection
pump oil filter cap omitted (pump lubricated from engine oil).
Separate
air intake heating coil omitted, made integral with throttle housing.
Rubber sleeve added to crankcase vent line.
Diaphragm-type clutch adopted
(self-adjusting).
Wheel covers made one-piece, form changed (center
flatter) after chassis #000045. Steering relay lever changed, housing made
self-lubricating.
1969, August Lights incorporated in side
reflectors.
Ignition/door/trunk/gas cap keys combined. Rear window heating
element added; switch in parcel tray.
Cold start solenoid omitted from
injection pump.
Wheel covers polished to satin. Form of wiper blades
changed.
1970, April Optional rear axle ratios discontinued.
1970, August New colors added; existing colors changed.
Number plate moved from front to rear of door jamb. Tail light colors changed,
lens made separate from chrome.
New seat fabrics.
Power brake vacuum
line made plastic, moisture trap omitted. Cooling water header tank made
plastic.
Form of engine oil filler cap changed from cast screw-on to
stamped with bayonet-type mount.
Shape of air intake box changed.
Temperature sensors added to thermostat housing and cylinder head.
Idle
air housing shape changed.
Lifting bracket at front of valve cover
changed.
Engine oil dipstick tube made longer, dipstick handle changed.
Distributor advance/retard speed sensors added. Ignition transistorized.
Wheels changed to pierced with round holes
(Note: it is not
possible to use the early small center hubcaps with these 280SL wheels as the
mounting flanges were omitted. |
