I am looking for a set of Parchment door and rear side panels to fit my 1970 250C. I have an opportunity to buy new leather seat covers on e-bay at a good price. I put this in the parts section, but most of the parts are for later model cars. Richard

Get a copy of the hemmings auto bible published once a month. In the parts for sale you should find someone that has a set. They list the parts cars they are parting and usually list a few 114 coupes. Also a good place to post your wants. There should be quite a few good interiors in the northern section of the country as these cars really liked to rust out.

And good news is that vinyl paint really works. Have used it successfully on an armrest transplant, and wouldnt hessitate on door panels. Check the colors on the interior vinyl spray paint rack at parts stores to match color of your new seat covers. You could easily find success with original door panels repainted as new, they are not exactly high wear items.

electric or manual windows? -CTH

__________________
- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

The car has manuel windows. I'm glad you mentioned that, I am looking at a car with a bad engine next week. I better call them to see if it has power windows. I may give the vinyl paint a try if I get the parchment covers.

Or convert to power windows if all the parts are still in the car you are looking at cheap. Happens sometimes. There was a guy partially speciallised in parting out II4coupe cars in baltimore I believe. If you do not land up with the panels from that car drop me a line. I will find and send you some contact information. No guarantee he has any but it is possible. I purchased some things there years ago on my way to hershey so I can describe the individuals and type of operation if you wish.

I would keep the manual window option. I have power on my 114 and I wish they were crankers.

Window Regulators for the front doors are about $130 each and you will need new rubber, another $75, plus the time to install. Finally, even if you get them running well, they fall out of "tune" quickley and strip the regulator gear.

I would bet $100 that any 114 you find has either stripped regulators, or they have been sold.

Yeah the regulators are the geared thin metal brackets aint they? And you find em bone dry with zero grease after they've bent out of shape. Good idea I think is pull door panels immediately if windows even begin to act strange. Sometimes its just a few loose bolts that cause problems. Or last ditch repair is replace em with manual crank that bolts right in, like one at a time as electric units fail.

I hate electric windows too, but would make an exception for the 114 coupe. One of the best coupe features with pillarless roofline is driving with all windows rolled down.

Both my 1972 250cs have crank windows and I naturally wish they where electric. Maybe from your descriptions if they were electric I would want them crank type?

Yeah but we had Austalians screaming here at the Vintage Forum awhile ago because none of their coupes had electric windows. The pillarless roofline coupe is probly the only MB where electric windows make sense for open air driving in summertime.

Barry, I'll betcha your Baltimore connection is aware of the controversial electric window coupe situation and has been stockpiling electr window kits for as long as he's been in business.

My '71 250C has power windows as did my '76 280C and I think it's the only way to go on the coupe. My '76 450SEL has power windows also and since it's many feet over to the passenger door from the driver's seat, they are required

Check out this thread for door panels. I still have not made it out there but plan to make the trip soon.

Michael

__________________
Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120