An Aussie Special: Stone Guards ...
4 December 2020
As there are many gravel roads in Australia, there was a quite common accessory at the time: the stone guards. They were officially available in the 60s / 70s, but only in Australia, protecting the front part between the lights and the grill. As they're somewhat unique and the origin of the Pick-Up (Argentina) has bad roads too, I had a new objective of what to get.
Luckily Craig from South Australia had a pair, that he sold to me (so to speak an original import). I could also get photos from Chai (Oz) to "prove" that it was a contemporary accessory. This was also important for registration here in Germany. I had them rechromed (to perfection again) and the last step will be the reassembly (but I need a new sealing for that).
So together with the original tank protection, the 15"-wheels (all Mercedes bad road extras), these stone guards complete it in my point of view.
Stone Guards finished ...
11 December 2020
Today I finished putting the stone guards together. I used M3 screws (instead of rivets), but they look like rivets. Was a tight squeeze, as the new chrome and the galvanising adds a coating, that makes the stuff bigger, but I got it into the frames.
To stop the actual guards from clattering in the frames, there was a rubber ring pressed in. Of course very old and I replaced it with a 6mm round rubber profile; with a plastic spatula I could squeeze it in, so no glue necessary.
Stone Guards installed ...
10 October 2021
Just to complete this topic, here's a picture of those stone guards installed at the final car. It's definitely something, that not everybody likes, but due to my relations with Australia it is just a "must" for me!
Stone Guards in German Papers ...
31 December 2021
As mentioned before, it had to be proven to the German TÜV that those stone guards are a period correct accesory. On top of that, it had to be put into the official car papers, as it is an accessory attached to the outside of the car. So the "Steinschlagschutzgitter neben Frontscheinwerfer" (great word for non-German speakers, it says literally "stone hit protection grating besides front lights") are now part of it.
I'm pretty sure, it's the only car in Germany that has this text in the papers ;-)
Original Front Light Protection ...
19 October 2024
Timo and his wife visited us at the beginning of October (finally!) and we had a great time together. One of the gifts he brought was an originally packed set of front light protection guards ... what a rare thing!
I will not open the packaging, but they are "brand new" incl. a little bag with - I guess - mounting material. He found it at an auction and got it especially for me. I am very thrilled to have that in my collection!
As they aren't allowed in Germany (nothing must obstruct the front lights), I will keep them as a treasure!
In the original packaging ...
More Aussie Stone Guards Pics ...
18 December 2024
While in Melbourne last week, we visited Chai (from Ozbenz) and his wife. Besides having a wonderful day with them, he took me to the Mercedes Benz Club of Victoria Clubhouse (in his wonderful 1974 450SLC). There I could take "photos from a photoalbum" of the times with more original concours pics of those stone guards. Even a W111 (or W112) Cabriolet had them and - also interesting imho - they were even combined with additional lights. Thanks a lot for that, Chai!
