280sel 4.5 Shifter Swap
 

I am currently restoring the interior on my 280sel 4.5. New leather, new carpets, newly restored wood, etc. The floor shift assembly is black plastic and in "fair" condition. I also have a 69 280sel (6 cyl) parts car that has a better looking chrome shifter and base. Can I use this in my 4.5? I would keep the stock one with the car as "parts" for originality, but the chrome base and shifter are of much better quality and appearance.

Pat

You must have a "73" 280SEL (end of 108 production run in 72). The earlier 4.5s had the chrome ones. However, note that the shift gate or pattern may not match the PRNDSL style of the 4.5's.

I did the same modification on my 72 280se 4.5. There are chrome shift gates for the 3 speed on Ebay. I also changed out to the lollipop gear stalk as well and replaced the plastic shift gate trim with a new reproduction one.

The rubber trim around the gate does not fit proper, not sure if the chrome gate uses a different one than that of the plastic gate.

https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/ser...164251/enhance

Tom, out of interest what prodution month was the cut off between 72 w108s and 73 W108s. Mine is a 06/1972 production but is classified as a 72 model. I think production stopped at the end of 09/1972 for W108/109 cars.

Swapped Shifter
 

Thanks for the photo. That shifter is sooo much nicer looking than the black plastic (especially mine since it's very worn) I have the same chrome and "lollipop" shifter from a 69 280sel parts car. Let me know if you guys need any parts!
Also, my original red interior door panels are in great shape, but I also have a great set of red 300sel panels and am having the wood restored for. I know originality is key, but I think that I'm going to use the 300 (wood trimmed) door cards and "pickle" my originals for future use. I don't want to change the car too much, but a few things that are reversible should be OK.
I notice that your shift ball is removed. Does it "screw on, or glued on?

Pat

I have a 280SEL 4.5 ordered in the fall of 1971, delivered and registered as a 72 and it has the black shifter, not the chrome.

The earlier shifter was so much prettier, but alas, I do not have one.

Curious on your build date. Mine was 10/71 and it had the chrome.

The ball pushes in with a good amount of force, no threaded screw or glue. Probably, gently use a rubber mallet and some towels to protect the actual ball.

The 109 door cards are much more elegant with the wood and metal strip than the 108 door cards.

Tomguy
 

That must be pretty fast with the engine upgrades. Did you do it yourself?

Hi ,
So so you have a spare chrome shifter gate and lollipop handle I can buy?


W114 280 1974 light ivory
W108 280SE 3.5 1972 pine green metallic
R107 500SL 1984 champagne metallic

shifter
 

Sorry, no. I only have the one that I am installing.

Pat