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anyone have a 1973 w116??

Started by Big_Richard, 07 February 2006, 06:00 PM

Big_Richard

.

Mforcer

I don't think the column shift would have been limited to the 1973. You may get a better response to your query if you change the topic heading.

Back on topic, I think I remember seeing a column shift in a photo but for the life of me can't remember where or when.

I would guess that the column shift was avilable only in certain markets (where though?) and from a production perspective, it would have been cheaper to manufacture a common instrument cluster and simply blank off those bits not needed on the particular model the cluster is used in.
Michael
1977 450SE [Brilliant Red]
2006 B200

OzBenzHead

Quote from: Big Richard on 07 February 2006, 06:00 PM... does that mean that there is a column shift w116?
can someone please show me a picture?? ;)

Sorry, BR: no pic (though I have seen pix of it); however, I can assure you that column selectors existed on 116s, as I drove one in the US many years ago ('81/'82).
[img width=340 height=138][url="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/OzBenzHead/10%20M-B%20Miscellany/OBH_LOGO-2a-1.png"]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/OzBenzHead/10%20M-B%20Miscellany/OBH_LOGO-2a-1.png[/url][/img]

John Hubertz

I believe that while available as a special order option, the column shift was primarily designed for livery/taxi commercial applications.  I have seen several elderly 116 taxicabs while in Germany in the mid 1980s that had a front bench seat and column shift.

I believe they were either a small diesel or perhaps a 2.8....  but they were roomy in the rear.....  I wonder if they offered a 300D engine in a commercial variant?  Anyone know if they had a non-turbo diesel as a special order option in early SEL chassis?

The one I remember clearly had a vinyl bench seat in the front and a textured tweed cloth back seat.  I remember thinking "this is the ugliest interior I have ever seen" and being surprised, since it was only the 2nd Mercedes I had ever been in.
John Hubertz
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
(Hunter S. Thompson) 

1977 450SEL (Max Headroom)
[img width=68 height=73][url="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f248/fullhappyfish/max.jpg"]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f248/fullhappyfish/max.jpg[/url][/img]

Mforcer

Quote from: John Hubertz on 07 February 2006, 11:01 PM
I believe that while available as a special order option, the column shift was primarily designed for livery/taxi commercial applications.  I have seen several elderly 116 taxicabs while in Germany in the mid 1980s that had a front bench seat and column shift.

Thanks for the info! Good to know.

QuoteI believe they were either a small diesel or perhaps a 2.8....  but they were roomy in the rear.....  I wonder if they offered a 300D engine in a commercial variant?  Anyone know if they had a non-turbo diesel as a special order option in early SEL chassis?

Diesels were only available in the north American markets and all with the same engine.

QuoteThe one I remember clearly had a vinyl bench seat in the front and a textured tweed cloth back seat.  I remember thinking "this is the ugliest interior I have ever seen" and being surprised, since it was only the 2nd Mercedes I had ever been in.

It is unlikely that any taxi interior is original except for perhaps the first few days of work :P Can't really blame them with the abuse they deal with.
Michael
1977 450SE [Brilliant Red]
2006 B200


John Hubertz

There must be something seriously wrong with that car - it sold twice already with a reserve.

John
John Hubertz
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
(Hunter S. Thompson) 

1977 450SEL (Max Headroom)
[img width=68 height=73][url="http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f248/fullhappyfish/max.jpg"]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f248/fullhappyfish/max.jpg[/url][/img]