280SEL 4.5

[JCE]

In town today I saw a like new 280SEL 4.5 being driven by an elderly gentleman. It had a creme colored body with a gloss black roof. Did MB 2 tone these cars, or did he have it painted that way? It looked so pristine I figured it was either repainted or his garage queen. I haven't seen a 2 tone one before, so I thought I'd ask the experts!

I have never seen this, but I suppose it is possible. MAybe Aaron can answere this for us, or CTH350.

BTW, I like your new signature with the SportLine Logo!

[cth350]

I've never seen a factory two-tone. But I'm sure they could be special ordered.

-CTH

[JCE]

Thanks for the info (and the compliment, Deezel). I am really curious at this point. Maybe MBUSA or MB de has an answer. The car looked really nice, and I don't usually care that much for 2 tone cars, (or the 3 tone Dodges of the '50s, either).

[Mike Michalek]

JCE

Check out the January/February edition of the Star magazine on the bottom of page 83 in the trading post section.

Yes, factory original two-tone 108- and 109- cars are still around. Some of them are pretty good looking, some of them are kind of tacky.

[JCE]

Thanks again for all the info! I hadn't seen a 2 tone before. The monotones look nice, and I can see where some of the 2 tones could look a little dated and strange, but this particular combination looked both elegant and sporty at the same time.

[cth350]

Last year, I saw a wonderful three-tone (not factory original) 59 220se coupe. To bad the car was so badly rusted out in the rear. It was a faint lemon yellow against DB213 (a sort of seafoam green) with a dark green accent stripe thrown in. The paint job was perfect, where there was still car.

-CTH

Paul C: "(If you ever want to gain a true understanding of Mercedes quality, try comparing a 300 SEL 4.5 side-by-side against a '73 Vega.)"

Or, for that matter, compare the 300SEL against any new Mercedes!