Trunk Underside Paint
 

Hi
Just Bought An 88 560sl - Original Everything - Trunk Lid Underside Is Med. Grey Primer Looking. Car Is Pajett Red Mettalic - Lid Has Original Mbz Vin Sticker - Anyone Know If It Should Be Red Or Is Primer Grey Okay. Trying To Restore To Original All Over.
Thanks - Ray

I believe that grey should be the original color.

My car is green the underside of the trunk lid is a dark gray.

I have a red '79 450SL, the underside of the trunk is a very dark shiny grey, also a '82 380SL, the underside of the trunk is also a very dark shiny grey. The color is so dark it's almost black on both trunks. I'm sure it's the original color. If you pull open the battery cover you should see the same color on the inside of the fender.

Weird eh? They painted the INSIDE of the wheel wells the same exterior colour but not the inside of the trunklid.

Trunk paint colour
 

On my 87 560, the same colour is used in the trunk and in the bay for the soft top. It's a dark grey, but there's a greenish hue to my eye. On the trunk it does look like "primer"; however, elsewhere there are signs of (factory) touch ups, for example around the hinges, over joint caulking etc.

I would love to know what colour is used, as I have a little touch up to do. Anyone know?
Martin

"MB combination varnish, DB164 (deep dark grey, mat)"
 

According to the Chassis and Body service manual, page 98.0-280/1, the paint used is part # 000 9986 67 33, MB combination varnish, DB164 (deep dark grey, mat. It says it is also the color used on the outer skin at the frame side members, spare wheel recess, trunk, etc. Used on models 107, 116 and 123. So if you look at the bottom of the car AND if it has the original paint you will see the color. OR, look at the spare wheel well, the inner parts of the trunk on the sides, etc...
Hope this helps...

Trunk paint colour
 

Richard:
Thank you. I will be visiting my friendly MB dealer in the next couple of weeks.

I can't believe you bought an '88 and missed this. It's from the picture of the open trunk lid, 8 rows down, second picture in: "Deck lid underside always matte grey, never vehicle outer paint color. Deck lid outer skin is glued to inner support structure to prevent rattling when closed....."
This is from the 'oursl.com' website http://www.oursl.com/research/research_photo.htm#
I'm about to buy an '88 560SL myself, hopefully in a couple of weeks. I think you'll enjoy this site, I found it very informative.:)

everyone of my mercedes had the same trunk lid color... flat greyish black