THEMA: Re: Retrofitted sunroof not unusual in Germany

Geschrieben von Clem am 22. Oktober 2006 09:57:45:

Hi guys,
The sunroof on my 1969 280SE is manually operated and has a large chrome handle with the name "Golde" on it. Looking at the way the installation has been done (the metal has apparently been machine pressed and shaped) I find it hard to believe that it is not factory installation. Does anyone know if these sunroofs were factory installed?
Kind regards,

Clem

Geschrieben von jof am 22. Oktober 2006 14:23:00:
Als Antwort auf: Original Sunroof ? geschrieben von Clem am 22. Oktober 2006 09:57:45:


In Gernany it was not that unusual in the 60ies to retrofit a sunroof. I cannot really talk about MB, but know it from Volkswagen, especially Karmann Ghia.
I have a Karmann Ghia Type 34 from 1962 which has been retrofitted with a hand crank Golde sunroof (from factory one could only order an electrical sunroof) in the 60ies. It is very good work, the water outlets are professionally done (but a little different from the factory solution). See the large "Golde" chrome handle in my picture?
So in times where you had to wait several years or months to buy a new car (I am talking about Mercedes) I can imagine that a buyer who was able to get a used Mercedes (0.5 or 1 year old) without a sunroof did not hesitate to have a sunroof installed later.
The MB specialists will tell you if there were hand crank sunroofs available at Mercedes (I doubt it, but I do not know for sure). i don't even know if Golde was the factory supplier of MB.
Best regards
jof

Geschrieben von jof am 22. Oktober 2006 14:23:00:
Als Antwort auf: Original Sunroof ? geschrieben von Clem am 22. Oktober 2006 09:57:45:


In Gernany it was not that unusual in the 60ies to retrofit a sunroof. I cannot really talk about MB, but know it from Volkswagen, especially Karmann Ghia.
I have a Karmann Ghia Type 34 from 1962 which has been retrofitted with a hand crank Golde sunroof (from factory one could only order an electrical sunroof) in the 60ies. It is very good work, the water outlets are professionally done (but a little different from the factory solution). See the large "Golde" chrome handle in my picture?
So in times where you had to wait several years or months to buy a new car (I am talking about Mercedes) I can imagine that a buyer who was able to get a used Mercedes (0.5 or 1 year old) without a sunroof did not hesitate to have a sunroof installed later.
The MB specialists will tell you if there were hand crank sunroofs available at Mercedes (I doubt it, but I do not know for sure). i don't even know if Golde was the factory supplier of MB.
Best regards
jof

Geschrieben von Clem am 23. Oktober 2006 08:29:52:
Als Antwort auf: Retrofitted sunroof not unusual in Germany geschrieben von jof am 22. Oktober 2006 14:23:00:

Thanks Jof. The crank handle looks exactly the same. What is interesting though is how well the metal work around the sunroof hole has been pressed and formed to accomodate the sunroof - it definitely is machine pressed. That is what makes it hard for me to believe that the fitting was done aftermarket. But maybe it was. Who knows?
Cheers,

Clem

Geschrieben von Clem am 23. Oktober 2006 08:53:34:
Als Antwort auf: Re: Retrofitted sunroof not unusual in Germany geschrieben von Clem am 23. Oktober 2006 08:29:52:

Some research on the internet shows that Golde was apparently a supplier also of OEM sunroofs to many car makers. Apparently, if the painted metal of the roof rolls over to form the aperture for the sunroof, it is factory fitted. If it is surrounded by a black rubber or plastic strip, it is probably aftermarket. It appears that Golde sunroofs were taken over by Arvin-Meritor and are still in business - at least based on what I read.

Geschrieben von Michael B. am 23. Oktober 2006 09:00:28:
Als Antwort auf: Re: Retrofitted sunroof not unusual in Germany geschrieben von Clem am 23. Oktober 2006 08:29:52:

of 108 and 109 was always electrically operated when built in on the production line.

( If original, you`ll find the the code 41/0 on the code tinplate in front of the car)
If the sunroof was built in on the aftermarket, Golde ( and other specialised firms) used a spezial tool ,the so called " Rolliergerät" which was also used in the production.
So you can`t see a difference.
Michael