News:

The ORG - No back-slapping boys club!

Main Menu

Dash top speakers

Started by My74W116, 10 January 2018, 03:15 AM

My74W116

Any idea or explanation as to why my 74 450 SEL has speakers on the top of the dash instead of the front facing speakers that I'm seeing on all other pics of the same make and model

mrkozzy

#1
I'd say yours is the earliest version of the 116 series. They started changing little things like speaker placement around 1974/75, if memory serves me correctly. Perhaps someone else can shed more light on the topic
MrKozzy

ptashek

Quote from: My74W116 on 10 January 2018, 03:15 AM
Any idea or explanation as to why my 74 450 SEL has speakers on the top of the dash instead of the front facing speakers that I'm seeing on all other pics of the same make and model
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

My74W116

Thank your for the info! I've got a LHD model with the D jet. It's interesting to note that when I purchased the car it had no right side mirror and had one installed so maybe it's a European model. The massive front and rear US bumpers would suggest otherwise. Just got it and am exploring my prize inch by inch and learning all I can.

dinizzxa

Quote from: ptashek on 10 January 2018, 10:39 AM
Quote from: My74W116 on 10 January 2018, 03:15 AM
Any idea or explanation as to why my 74 450 SEL has speakers on the top of the dash instead of the front facing speakers that I'm seeing on all other pics of the same make and model

ptashek

Quote from: My74W116 on 10 January 2018, 12:35 PM
Thank your for the info! I've got a LHD model with the D jet. It's interesting to note that when I purchased the car it had no right side mirror and had one installed so maybe it's a European model. The massive front and rear US bumpers would suggest otherwise. Just got it and am exploring my prize inch by inch and learning all I can.

Believe it or not, the passenger side mirror was an option until end of production even on the 450SEL 6.9 (code 502, about 100 Deutschmarks extra in 1979).
You car definitely has euro headlights, so either it started as one, or these were replaced. Should be easy enough to tell looking at the engine bay and data card if you have it.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

ptashek

Quote from: dinizzxa on 10 January 2018, 12:47 PM
Mine is '77 280SE (Euro) and has speakers at the bottom.

Is it LHD or RHD though?
Looking briefly at the EPC, the split happened in July 1975 for both European and USA models, except RHD markets (haven't checked Japan).
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

Squiggle Dog

I had a 1977 450SE, and it had speakers at the bottom of the dash.
Stop paying for animal cruelty and slaughter. Go vegan! [url="https://challenge22.com/"]https://challenge22.com/[/url]

1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+

3l33ter

My '75 280S (built 8/74) has the speakers on the bottom, but so does my '77 6.9.

I recently saw a '78 with the speakers on top.
'75 280S
'77 6.9
'82 300TD

ptashek

I think there was a similar thread not that long ago, where this mystery was looked into closer. There are many factors in play here: VIN split, destination market, gray imports and any potential dash replacements, also the "miles long" list of VIN exceptions and "exhaust stock of old part" notes in the EPC.

Both types have been NLA for a few years now. Wasn't it TJ or Nathan that got the very last RHD one?
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

s class

As of 18 months ago, the only 116 dashes left at MB were LHD blue ones with top mounted speakers.  The classic centre was having a drive to sell them off,  bought one of them for the blue 6.9. 


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL

dinizzxa

Quote from: s class on 11 January 2018, 04:20 AM
As of 18 months ago, the only 116 dashes left at MB were LHD blue ones with top mounted speakers.  The classic centre was having a drive to sell them off,  bought one of them for the blue 6.9.

I wonder what could be the price for it

TJ 450

The RHD ones were near $1,000 maybe slightly more. Nathan bought the last one, I think mine was the second last.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

s class

Quote from: dinizzxa on 11 January 2018, 04:57 PM
Quote from: s class on 11 January 2018, 04:20 AM
As of 18 months ago, the only 116 dashes left at MB were LHD blue ones with top mounted speakers.  The classic centre was having a drive to sell them off,  bought one of them for the blue 6.9.

I wonder what could be the price for it

I think it was about $900


[color=blue]'76 6.9 Euro[/color], [color=red]'78 6.9 AMG[/color], '80 280SE, [color=brown]'74 350SE[/color], [color=black]'82 500SEL euro full hydro, '83 500SEL euro full hydro [/color], '81 500SL