.
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.
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).
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.
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.
Here is a picture of one
(http://i16.ebayimg.com/04/i/05/b3/4b/50_3.JPG?set_id=100D)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-400-Series-450SE-VERY-NICE-Lo-Mileage-Rust-Free-73-Mercedes-Benz-450SE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6331QQitemZ4616349126QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#ebayphotohosting (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-400-Series-450SE-VERY-NICE-Lo-Mileage-Rust-Free-73-Mercedes-Benz-450SE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6331QQitemZ4616349126QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#ebayphotohosting)
There must be something seriously wrong with that car - it sold twice already with a reserve.
John