does anyone have pics of their SL500 1997 with the top down from above the car, when my top is down i can see the hydrolics etc . .down 2 big holes behind the doors, it looks like merc would have put some trim here . . . i am looking for what the car is supposed to look like and see if my car does have trim missing . .thanks

 

I also have a 1997 SL500 and don't have tim there. Those holes are where the hard top pins are secured. I have never seen our vintage SL with tim there.

 

yes there is kind of a metal flap assembly that covers the top hardware when the top is down. you should not be able to see the top hardware when down, unless you lift the flap by hand.. only one screw and the seals hold them on and can easily be removed. you should be able to see a place for a single screw to go into about in the middle of the interior side of the hole looking right at ya.

 

here is what it should look like

 

are they spring loaded or something, or do they just not move and cover the holes ? i am going to try to source some, i bet this is a hard part to find. what year is your car?

 

On my 97 SL320 they are spring loaded.

jb