Update on dash wood replacement - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cbdo · #16 01-22-2003, 09:24 PM

If you're going for authenticity, wood wasn't used in 1973; didn't appear until 1977.

sparkyt · #17 01-23-2003, 12:56 AM

cbdo - What was used and how do you know this?

DanielG · #18 01-23-2003, 02:35 PM

EDIT: dead link deleted here

Richard1 --I knew I had seen a sight with 560sl wood kits -- again, I don't know the quality of the goods, but here is the site I found (see above). Scroll down to Mercedes.

Sparkyt-- I have seen a lot of pictures of the 450sl's without wood -- they just usually have the vinyl or plastic that is the same color as the dash and/or seats -- however, if you like wood, or carbon fiber or other material, and don't mind that your car is not stock --then there is no reason not to adorn your car in the manner you like and will enjoy. I think you can always peel the wood off, clean off your dash, and be back to original (better check with the web site to make sure!). Enjoy your car!

DanielG · #19 01-23-2003, 02:41 PM

By the way, one thing you'll notice about these kits is that they are flat -- so, for example, on your shift console they have one piece for the horizontal part and a second piece for the vertical part -- as you know from removing the original piece, the original is one piece with both horizontal and vertical sections.

Also, if you only need certain parts, you might be able to call them and order only the parts that you want (for example if you don't want a speaker cover and only want the a/c cover) for less than the cost of the whole kit. I did this once with a wood kit I bought for another car -- one part broke and I called and was able to get a replacement for that part alone.

cbdo · #20 01-23-2003, 08:51 PM

[If you're going for authenticity, wood wasn't used in 1973; didn't appear until 1977.]

Sources: See John Olson's book, The SL Experience. The 1972 MB catalog I have shows the dash of the then-"350"SL with a leatherette finish on the narrow trim strip and the console; it looks black on the particular interior shown, which I think is a blue interior. Check out used cars online, and if you can get one that shows interior shots well you'll see no wood in the earlier 450's. Park Place, Ltd in Oregon had a really pretty '74 450SL on their site a few months ago with a parchment interior; it had matching leather/Tex on the console around the shifter and the heat controls, and the narrow trim strip under the vents matched the dark fascia around the instruments. This is all among the remains of moderate book=buying and intense netsurfing over about two months, before finding my car two miles from my house....once more demonstrating Bill Cosby's assertion that God has a sense of humor!

sparkyt · #21 01-24-2003, 12:42 AM

Craig, I surfed for about 9 months before I found my red 73 with black leather. But it took me all the way to LA. But for someone who still lives in the northern clime, it sure is a treat to drive a 30 yr old car without a spot of rust. (yes it's under a cover in a heated garage) It's my 1st Benz and I'm pretty sure it will not be my last. THANKS to you all for the insite and information. I'm looking foward to being part of this forum for years to come.

#22 01-24-2003, 09:05 PM

Sparkyt,

Just yesterday I met another 107 owner a 1974 model. Lokking inside it was obvious that the wood was not that old. Inquiring I found out that he had ordered from a German company that I have mentioned before. The product looked great especially the steering wheel. He said that the service and delivery from Germany was great. Check out www.eris-car.com

Richard1 · #23 01-24-2003, 09:42 PM

Rayson, that site sells those pieces for about $100 less than what I paid....good tip.

Gilli · #24 01-07-2010, 07:23 PM

Hey Guys, My husband wanted to save a few dollars in the repair of my drivers side exterior mirror, I had popped it off zooming out of the garage during Christmas. He took the car to his buddy at the Toyota dealership here in town, his buddy was the service manager at the mercedes dealership before switching to the Toyota dealership so I thought he would be good. He ordered salvaged parts that are not the same mirror. The salvaged parts came with a salvaged motor, I did not need a motor, the broken mirror moved fine. They decided to install the salvaged motor as well as the housing, in the process the mechanic tore up my wooden console getting to the switch for the mirror. He broke it in 6 places. Now I need to replace the wood on the console. I have a C280, 1995 that just hit 100,000 miles. The car is in great shape and looked new until this latest incident. Can you all help me with this repair? I need the mirror, mirror housing, motor and now I need someone to repair the wood. I know my husband will be forever grateful with any help you can give me, me too. Thanks so much.

Slover77 · #25 01-08-2010, 02:44 PM

I don't know about the mirror parts, but you could use Heritage Woodworks for the wood console parts. Heritage is the vendor mentioned in the original post of this thread way back in '03. I see you're in NC; Heritage is located in Andrews, NC, so you may be within easy driving distance.

I used Heritage several years back to refurbish my console wood parts and replace the dash strips. The owner, Drew Tibcken, does wonderful work, and my pieces turned out terrfic. One word of caution, however. His installation was not nearly as good as his wood working. He seemed to be in a hurry and didn't really care that much (I drove up on a Saturday and he installed the pieces while I waited). It may be because mine is an '87 and he usually works on much older cars. His personal MB show cars are stunning, but he seems to look down his nose at cars as "new" as mine.