[W126 Coupe] 560 SEC question

[Axel Wulff]

Andy,
 
As Jonthan pointed out, pinstriping is applied on top of the clear coat, so it is obvious it was applied after the vehicle left the factory.
 
I have not seen pinstriping on W126 cars in Europe, but nearly all US cars, sedans and coupes, have had this feature (at some point in their life....).
 
The pinstriping is far too common and far too uniform for it to be simply a dealer option. MB USA must have been involved. The colors are standardized. I have a white coupe and it used to have a grey and burgundy pinstripe and other white cars I have seen have had the exact same color combination. The design is always the same; the "arrowhead" at the front, two colors, two lines of uniform width, the stripes are in the same location on all cars, etc.
 
I removed mine with light rubbing compund because it had already been erased in places. This is the problem with applying pinstriping on top of the paint and the clearcoat, over time it wears off.
 
Whether you decide to keep the pinstriping is entirely a personal choice. Some cars look good with pinstripes, others don't (which is which, is a matter of personal taste). 
 
As for originality; you could argue both ways. The pinstripes were not applied at the factory, but they were part of the "North American" package of options and equipment (with ugly sealed-beam headlamps, 5-Mph. bumpers, leather seats, Automatic Climate Control, inefficient exhaust system, etc.).Regards, Axel J. Wulff610-731-5453 Cellular610-572-4611 Home> From: andy at tularosa.net> To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com> Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2008 10:35:58 -0700> Subject: [W126 Coupe] 560 SEC question> > > I would like some info about my SEC from all those out there much more > informed than I am.> > I am just about to take my coupe in for some restoration work, basically > cheery out the body---few small door dings and redo a 1/4 panel that had > been repaired by a schlock shop---and a total, all parts removed, repaint. > The work will be done by the MB body shop in El Paso that has just been > certified to use the new MB paint system. I have examined their work and it > is fantastic. Since I had a 73 350 SLC that I restored for concours showing > I am very fussy.> > The question pertains to the fact that my coupe has two pin stripes the full > length of the body down both sides. Is this stock factory, special order or > aftermarket by the selling dealer, I have a feeling it is after market by > the selling dealer but can not confirm that. I have seen 560SEC's both with > the pin stripe and with out. Personally I like it on mine since by color is > Almondine red (code 512) and the stripes are a gold color. What do any of > you know about the fact some have the pin stripes and some don't. On my car > they look very nice.> > I need to make up my mind whether or not to put the pin stripes back on, and > if so find a good pin stripper and be able to justify the cost. If I do it I > would like to have the stripes put on after the color coat but before the > clear coats so they are protected and preserved.> > Thanks for any and all comments.> > Andy H> '91 560 SEC> 79 280 TE> 73 bug, my daily driver > > The MB Coupes Website!> W126 SEC Mailing List> Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.
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