The factory has/had hundreds of options that were available from the factory for various regions around the world. Mercedes Benz North America ("MBNA") was very restrictive in the options they they "Allowed" into the US market. MBNA set the std. equipment and the options that were available for all of the model lines. For instance, Bulletproofing was commonly available in the middle east, but not really offered here. Africa equipped cars could option heavier cooling equipment and suspension.
that's true mclare. but what is really intriguing is the possibility that there is this one option that was offered, and selected, among a limited set of options in north america that apparently nobody knows about.
presumably the different seats look the same. the implications would be that there are a bunch of w126 owners out there who can't even feel which kind of seat they own, and yet would be much more comfortable with the version they don't have... assuming the "reinforcement" affects comfort and not something else...
look just below on the options list. it looks like they were. at least for '90 350sdl so we can assume all 126 90-91, but not sure about when it became available on what models.
I thought the reinforced seats was standard in the US cars. This videos might shed some light. It cant look though it now but i am pretty sure they talked about the seats in the building them and later on as to why they are built that way almost an hr in.
I thought the reinforced seats was standard in the US cars. This videos might shed some light. It cant look though it now but i am pretty sure they talked about the seats in the building them and later on as to why they are built that way almost an hr in.
If you glance at the USA brochure I posted, it is listed as optional.
To make it clear to everyone, this list shows the 300D 2.5 and the 300SDL side by side. S stands for standard. -- means not available
for the SDL, the antitheft alarm is clearly listed S for standard.
The electric sliding sunroof and velour upholstery all show "O1" which stands for "no cost option". Ok, makes sense, virtually all NA cars would stick with sunroof and leather.
but for the "reinforced seat frames" it is clearly "O3" which stands for "left and right seats, each optionally available" same as the "orthopedic" option
561 from 01.04.1970 " FRONT SEAT, LEFT, REINFORCED"
562 from 01.04.1970 " FRONT SEAT, RIGHT, REINFORCED"
563 from 01.04.1970 " FRONT SEATS, LEFT AND RIGHT, REINFORCED"
we need to send someone out into the field with their '90 or '91 w126 to find a 90/91 with the opposite feature and then compare and contrast the feel of the passenger seats by sitting in them back to back repeatedly.
I wonder if the reinforced seats were a NA only option. I think my favorite instance of a weird factory option is the adjusted seat height in that white sec from North Korea.
564 from 01.04.1970 to 31.03.1976 " SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT FOR CO-DRIVER'S SEAT AND DRIVER'S SEAT ON THE LEFT, REINFORCED"
566 from 01.04.1970 to 31.03.1976 " SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT FOR CO-DRIVER'S SEAT AND DRIVER'S SEAT ON THE RIGHT, REINFORCED"
567 from 01.04.1970 to 31.03.1976 " SEAT HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT FOR CO-DRIVER'S SEAT AND DRIVER'S SEAT ON THE LEFT AND ON THE RIGHT, REINFORCED"
Reinforced seats are an option everywhere available! Our chancelor Helmut Kohl always ordered all Mercedes with that option
The reinforcement were a hard felt plate and stronger springs in the frame. In the 80ies there have been a lot of "impressive" persons, which needed this option, but its still an option for all mercedes today.
The rear sunshade without pole is a manual one.
Those things were called "Kundensonderwunsch" aka customers special desires. They were available additionally to the regular options list.
To top that, there also were "Kundensondersonderwunsch". Sounds weird, but thats real. These very special wishes were i.e. things like this wooden box between the split seats. there never was a list about them and they were made for famous people or such with influence.
Old thread but interesting enough I just purchased a 1991 350SDL with Velour interior and optional electric rear sunshade and orthopaedic front seats. All documents and original european delivery paperworks was a nice bonus!
Congrats! :thumbsup: Now we just need to see a bunch of pictures of it. Not necessarily in this thread, though.
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