For sale: 1973 GS Hardtop coupe XB Fairmont Ford

In this section of the guide we outline the trim colours available on the C140 coupe. This includes the seat trim, but also the trim colours available on the different sections of the door cards, dashboard, headlining and carpets.

Part 1: Seat trim

a. Single-tone seat trim colour options: 

Single colour seat trim was available on the C140 throughouout all years.,However, observation of vehicles during our research indicates that early cars (pre-1995) were more commonly fitted with single tone trim when compared to later vehicles.  On the other hand, the earlier cars appear to be available in a greater number of colours than the later vehicles, and had options such as Saffron Tan, Blue and Red, which don't appear to have been available on later cars (at least according to our research to date). Later cars (1995 onward) appear to have only received the more corporate single tone colours (such as grey, black and creme). 

Single tone interior colours included: 

- Saffron beige: This is a beige trim, but noticibly darker / richer than the cream trim.

- Saffron Tan / Brazil: This is a brown beige trim, usually matched with mushroom trim, noticably darker than the Saffron;

- Blue: This is the blue that was very popular in earlier Benz models, but not so common in the C140 these days. It's usually matched with blue leather or cloth;

- Medium Red: This is a burgundy / maroon trim , and we've only ever sighted this with matching burgundy cloth trim. However, presumably it was also available with Medium Red leather);

- Cream Beige: This is the lightest of the colours available;

- Grey: This is a lighty grey material, sighted in both cloth and leather

- Black: 

(Note, we have found that the reference to colours across brochures from different markets to be inconsistent, so some of the above may be subject to market specific correction). 

2. Two tone seat trim colour: 

Two tone trim was optional in some markets on both V8 and V12 cars throughout the entire production period of the C140, with one possible exception: throughout our research we are yet to sight a 1993 SEC with two tone seat trim. However, with respect to other pre-1995 cars, from forum commentary and some brochure material we assume two tone trim may have been restricted to V12 vehicles (at least in certain markets at specific times). We say this is because we have observed a number of Pre-95 V8 and V12 vehicles with two tone trim. With respect to the post-1995 cars, two tone materials became much more prevelant (perhaps as a way of providing customers with further options in lieu of the fact that some of the more unique trim colour options from the earlier series cars were no longer available). 

Two tone interior options included:

- Saffron Beige over mushroom

- Black over light grey

- Dark grey over light grey

Dashboard and door card colours:

• The upper areas of the dashboard, door cards, rear side trims and the steering wheel were all finished in a matching colour that was (in most cases) different to the colour applied to the seat trim material. In some vehicles (particularly early cars with rare seat trim colours like blue or burgundy), these areas did match the seat colour. Several colour options were available for these areas, but the vast majority of cars had a dark grey finish applied. Colour options included:
  • Burgundy (sighted only with burgundy seat trim)
  • Blue (sighted only with Blue seat trim)
  • Dark Grey (sighted with Grey, black, saffron (tan) and two tone grey trims)
  • Mushroom (sighted with creme trim)
  • light Brown (sighted with Mushroom trim) 
• The centre console and lower sections of the door cards / rear trim cards were finished in a colour matching the seat trim. The only exception to this appears to be the cars optioned with velour cloth trim, where the entire dashboard was coloured the same as the trim (or, where the leather dashboard / door trim was optioned).
• The “Designo” custom building scheme was introduced for the 140 series in 1996. This scheme allowed customers to order interior trim with non-standard colour schemes and materials. We have included some examples of the Designo trim, but note we are not able to confirm whether those are authentic.
• Headlining, and lining of the front and rear pillars, generally matched the seat trim colour. The headlining was a soft thin cloth with suede like finish. Grey head linings were applied to most grey and black trimmed vehicles, and a light beige headlining was applied to beige / mushroom trim cars. Other rarer colours (such as blue and burgundy), were available with a matching head lining.

• Decipher from this link all of the trim codes available to the C140: https://mercedessource.com/problems/body-and-exterior-trim/finding-interior-color-codes

Timber / woodgrain trim options:

The C140 coupes were available with three different woodgrain trim options, including:

1. Burl Walnut: This was available on all models, and appears tou be the most common trim applied based on vehicles sampled during our research.
2. Birdseye Maple – This was a very dark timber finish.
3. Chestnut – This is a lighter timber finish.

As a morre expensive model in the S Class range, the coupe was never offered with the base model timber trim which was available on the W140 sedan called “Zebrano”. So far, we have not been able to confirm whether “Dark Ash” was available on the C140 (that being the trim applied to the late model Grand Edition” sedans in the US). Any information from readers as to the availability of this trim, and images of the same, would be appreciated.

1. All the above from - https://www.benzworld.org/threads/interior-wood.1612426/