Doug writes,
"I removed and examined the Ulonite 105 reflectors
on my 1959 Mercedes-Benz Type 219 sedan and 1959 Type 220S
cabriolet and observed the following:
The reflectors themselves, including the threaded stud, are the same all around.
The stud was slightly, but differently, angled on a couple of them, but after
examination I concluded that this was the result of trauma and not an original feature.
According to Werner Karasch in Germany, the original Mercedes-Benz part
number for the Ulonite 105 reflectors was 000-544-14-05.
The spacers are different front and rear, and left and right, on the cabriolet.
For example, the left outside spacer goes only in that location.
On the sedan, both outside spacers appear to be identical; one
simply installs them reversed left versus right. Ditto the spacers
inside the wheel well. I am not 100% certain about this, but it
looked that way. I neglected to try to install them opposite the
left or right side from which I removed them. If they are not
identical left versus right, they are very close.
The rear spacers on the sedan were more or less mirror images
of the front spacers. They had a hole which the stud exited to
receive a washer and nut. The inside spacers on the cabrio had a
threaded tube molded into them. From inside the trunk one fits a
screw into the threaded tube and somehow that turns onto the
Ulonite's stud. Rather a peculiar arrangement, but I conclude
that it was necessary because Uloniote 105s all came with the same
length stud and the cabrio's distance for mounting it was rather
longer than the sedan's.
All spacers originally had Mercedes-Benz part numbers marked on them.
On all mine, however, they were so worn as to be unreadable. I did
see enough on the cabrio's spacers probably to confirm the numbers
that Jack Kotrba provided.
There is no way, repeat no way, the cabrio Ulonite spacers would have
fit on a 190SL. The coupé/cabriolet mounting angles are way too sharp.
As I have not examined a 190SL yet, however, I cannot comment as to
whether the sedan spacers also fit them. I shall have to
determine this another time.
Exactly when the Ulonite 105 began to be fitted to USA-specification
Mercedes-Benz Ponton
sedans, coupés, and cabriolets is still a subject of conjecture. I did
read, however, in the September 1992 issue of the Mercedes Collector
(No. 4), F. Mallory, ed. where Ron Rapp wrote at p. 26 that the
reflectors were moved from under the bumper to the body in December
1957 on the Type 190SL with USA specifications. One may reasonably infer,
therefore, that the reflectors went on USA-specification Ponton
sedans, coupés, and cabrios at the same time. Still, I have not
found anything conclusive or determinative."
Jack Kotrba contributed the following narrative and photos...
I do not know if the black mounting tube came as an integral feature of the Ulonite 105 or whether it was supplied separately
from the reflector itself. I can say from observation that the
tubes differ on sedans versus coupés/cabrios. In addition, the mounting angle
(the cut along the mounting end) of the black tube differed on the sedan versus
coupé/cabrio. Finally, the coupé/cabrio mounting tube is much longer than on the sedan and is not split into
two sections.
This photo shows the part number on the piece.
The sedan mount on the left and the coupé/cabriolet mount on
the right.
