Strange Blue Straps on W114 Seats - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

samdon · #1 05-20-2009, 11:59 AM

I just bought a fantastic '76 280. There are vertical blue straps on the back of the front seatbacks. They are adjustable in length and are not noted in the owner's manual. They look dead stock, though.....no hack job present here. Anyone out there know what they are for?

I first thought they possibly adjusted lumbar support but there is no effect if tightened or loosened. Looks like they are for simply holding something in place.....but what?

Sam

Mike D · #2 05-20-2009, 02:09 PM

I don't know about the '76 but my '78 had a netting type "pocket" on the rear for gloves, etc. Does it look like there was originally netting sewn between the straps? Some one might have changed the seat pads or seats themselves. The netting on mine was a royal pain. Everytime someone got in or out they would snag.

tonkovich · #3 05-20-2009, 02:10 PM

maps? spare parts? toddlers?

JimFreeh · #4 05-20-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samdon

I just bought a fantastic '76 280. There are vertical blue straps on the back of the front seatbacks. They are adjustable in length and are not noted in the owner's manual. They look dead stock, though.....no hack job present here. Anyone out there know what they are for?

I first thought they possibly adjusted lumbar support but there is no effect if tightened or loosened. Looks like they are for simply holding something in place.....but what?

Sam

Sam,

If it's a vertical strap, then it should be for the lumbar adjustment.
I had this feature on a 77 240D, I suspect it's the same for yours.

On mine, tightening the strap would push out the support on the lower backrest.

Jim

79Mercy · #5 05-20-2009, 08:51 PM

what?? We need pictures..

never seen a W123 with straps

JimFreeh · #6 05-20-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79Mercy

what?? We need pictures..

never seen a W123 with straps

Too late for that, gave the pair away several years ago.

Strap was on the vertical panel that could be removed from the back of the seat. Maybe 12 inches between the holes, top to bottom.

Two holes in the panel, each hole had a metal escutcheon and a strap came out which could be tightened with a cinch. Tighter the strap, the more the lumbar bulged out.

I had saved them for my 250C, was going to cannibalize the adjuster, but a buddy needed a nice pair of seats for his car, so I gave them to him....

It's the only set I've ever seen.

Jim

79Mercy · #7 05-20-2009, 10:23 PM

I have no idea what your even talking about. This must have been really rare.

samdon · #8 05-21-2009, 08:26 AM

Doesn't make a huge amount of difference but I'm not willing to really yank on it. I'll get some pictures up soon for folks who have never seen this option.

wolf_walker · #9 05-21-2009, 09:49 AM

New one on me, do post pics..

samdon · #10 05-22-2009, 08:46 AM

I am no photographer but you can at least get an idea of what they look like.

Played around with them for a while and it seems that the adjustment mechanism may never have moved before... or not for a very, very long time. This car is kind of like a time capsule. After a minute or two of gentle pulling the system loosened up and finally broke free. Pull it tight and the bottom of the seatback bulges out. Very nice!

I really need to get some pics of this thing on here so you good folks can look her over. Hew thread, I guess.

79Mercy · #11 05-22-2009, 10:09 AM

Never seen them before. But its a cool feature.

Whats your VIN #? I wanted to find out if it had an option code.

samdon · #12 05-22-2009, 10:55 AM

79Mercy, the VIN is 11406012124268. I have tried to run it through the Russian MB Club system, adding WDB to the beginning, with no results found. Please let me know if you are able to get a build sheet somewhere. I would really like a copy.

Tomguy · #13 05-22-2009, 10:59 AM

Sam: go to your local MB dealer or call the MB Classic center. They can provide you with a copy of the original build sheet!