|
|
|
|
|
#1
11-14-2006, 11:29 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Late 380SL Bumper Improvements
I wanted and found a 1985 380SL to drive all the time. I really don't speed much and I think I'll appreciate the cheaper gas and better mileage. But one of the things I've noticed is that the later 380SL's have some of the improvements of the 560's. The double timing chain is well known, but in addition to the ABS option, the bumpers were moved in 1" on each end, like the 560's. This 1", hard to beleive, makes a big difference in appearance. I can't see any ground between the rubber body piece and the bumpers, which I always thought looked bad on earlier cars. The rubber pieces on the sides of the bumpers didn't change in length, though. This difference seems to be in the bumper shocks. Too bad that they are so expensive - but if you can get them used/cheap, putting later 380SL/560SL bumper shocks on might be an interesting upgrade.
__________________
86 560SL With homebrew first gear start! 85 380SL Daily Driver Project http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm 
|
|
#2
11-15-2006, 09:58 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Take it to the next step and replace them with the European bumpers as the original design was intended. We grow to like and accept our U.S. spec bumpers but being a product of good 'ol Ralph Nader and the protect us from ourselves commitee, they were a marginal solution as all bumpers of that era.
I am presently restoring all brackets and components on a used set of Euro bumpers and valances to install on my 88 560 sl in the spring. This is the most economical way to do it since the complete sets (new) and valances would approach  $4000.
|
|
#3
11-15-2006, 12:38 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
If you lived where I lived and drove to work in what amounts to a demo derby, you would not be interested in Euro bumpers, although I agree that they LOOK nice.
The 85+ US bumpers look as good as US bumpers can look.
__________________
86 560SL With homebrew first gear start! 85 380SL Daily Driver Project http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm
|
|
#4
11-15-2006, 04:40 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
 BTW: Has anyone ever looked at the thickness of the steel they used in these bumpers? I have a feeling these cars could be used as battering rams and still come out intact!
__________________
'01 SLK320, '79 450SL & '01 C320 -- What? 3 Mercedes? I am DEFINITELY crazy!!!
|
|
#5
11-15-2006, 11:46 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
The bumpers are aluminum, and they are tough. Once stripped of all the parts, you would be shocked at how light they are, you can easily carry either bumper with one hand. I had a tiny bump straightened out of one at a machine shop (I mean tiny, 1/16") and it took a BIG press to do it. BTW, from what I read on the subject you can't heat these to make them bend easier, and they will tear if bent too much.
__________________
86 560SL With homebrew first gear start! 85 380SL Daily Driver Project http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm
|
|
#6
11-20-2006, 09:42 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Does your '85 also have the newer style suspenstion components?
__________________
Chuck Taylor Falls Church VA '66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe
|
 |
| Bookmarks |
|
|
Linear Mode
