dash removal 72 280SE 4.5
 

Has anyone removed the dash from 72 280SE 4.5? After being told by Aristocrat Motors of Kansas City that they no longer worked on cars that old and that they had no access to manuals or CD ROMs that would pertain to a car that old. I called Star Motors of Kansas City and spoke to their resident authority on MB and explained my removal problems with the heater box. After he stopped laughing, he explained that the car was built around the heater box and everything must be removed, including the dash. When I asked about cutting the box, he seemed to be surprised that anyone would think of such a thing. Now the dash seems pretty soldidly mounted in this car and I assumed it was welded but has anyone done this? Any tips?

Did you let them know that MB built cars back then? The ones they sale now couldn't even live up to being driven for over 28 years.

Subject at hand
 

Now, lets not criticize the Mercedes Corporation for doing what I am sure is a great job of creating timeless masterpieces, lets instead be criticizing an American business for allowing its employees to act in a brash manner that contradicts the very essence of the product in order to be condescending and flip.
I recieved the same treatment by employees of a Chevrolet dealership when I pulled up in my first car, a 65 Impala, and inquired as to the availability of any parts that I could fix it up with in the mid-80's. Consequently I have never purchased a new Chevrolet car or truck. A Yugo, a Hyundai, and a 2yr old Saab but never a new or newish Chevy. The Yugo place was the most fawning willing to say yes to any suggestion to make the sale except when it came to hubcaps, those had to be payed for cash up front $200. I painted the wheels instead. Now back to the dash....

Well, so far I have removed the heaters from a 1972 250 and a 1960 220SE Finback, both without removing the dash or cutting heater parts. You may have to remove everything from under/inside the dash - consoles, AC, radio,
controls, ducts, etc.... Do you have a factory service manual? I hear they are still availible on CD-Rom.

Happy Motoring,
Mark