Model Year, 66 or 67?

[Jordan]

I was hoping someone could help me out.  My 230SL is listed as a 1966 and the last numbers of the VIN are 18613, indicating it was made in September of 1966.  All good so far.  In the Production Statistics section of this web site it says that cars with VIN numbers higher than 15165 would have been listed as a 1967 model year.  You can see where my confusion lies.  I know the original owner was serving in the US military, stationed in Germany when he bought the car and then had it shipped over when he returned to the States.  The car is a US version, not a Euro.  My question is why would the car be listed as a 66 when it should have been listed as a 67.  I hate inconsistencies so I have to ask the question.  Any help or a reasonable explanation by anyone?  Thanks in advance.
Marcus

[al_lieffring]

The inconsistancy was most likely the customs official or the state licensing office that processed the title when the car was brought into the USA.
The model is listed on my title as MERZ because that is what was typed onto the original Texas title back in 1966 and it is almost impossible to get it changed now.

[jacovdw]

Marcus,

I think it has something to do with your motor registration authority in terms of the date of registration.
The date of production is not necessarliy the same as the date of registration.

To give you an example, my car (production date February 1964) was delivered to the first owner in Germany in March 1964 and was brought to South Africa in 1968. On my registration documents it is listed as a 1968 (year of first registration) model even though 230Sl's were discontinued in early 1967.

Hope this helps...