How do I raise ragtop?

[cactusjax]

I am selling a 73 450 SL for a friend and neither of us yahoos can figure out how to raise the top. I was going to find a MB dealership, drive up and look like an idiot but figured I could just as easily be an idiot here.

Thanks in advance
Cactusjax

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by cactusjax

I am selling a 73 450 SL for a friend and neither of us yahoos can figure out how to raise the top. I was going to find a MB dealership, drive up and look like an idiot but figured I could just as easily be an idiot here.

Thanks in advance
Cactusjax

Take the hardtop off first....

Behind the driver's seat is a handle with a smaller knob that looks like a manual window winder.

This is the key to unlocking the tonneau and freeing the top. You also need a handle to lock the top to the windshield header.

The large handle unlocks the tonneau, and the smaller knob acts to lock the back of the fabric top to the body.

Jim

[rocky raccoon]

My advice is to go to the dealer and look like a fool. While you are there, see if he has a manual for the tops. It came as a separate book with the original documentation set. Removing and replacing the hard top and raising and lowering the soft top is not difficult but there are a lot of steps that should be done in a specific order. You can cause expensive damage by being ham-handed.

The manual for the tops is also available on line from several sources. Try mercedesmanuals.com. Luck to You.

[DanielG]

Here is a reprint of the instructions that come with the car:

http://www.zianet.com/SLlover/page62d.html

[cactusjax]

I want to thank everyone who replied. The advice was very helpful.

Cactusjax

[London380sl]

Originally Posted by DanielG

Here is a reprint of the instructions that come with the car:

http://www.zianet.com/SLlover/page62d.html

Man, those look like the original instructions for a 73 sl.

Lets get into the 80's shall we. This is what came with my car.

http://www.oursl.com/research/560-hardtop/107_560sl_hardsoft-2.htm

Basically the same instructions but with pictures instead of illustrations and more detail.