Author Topic: Decoding dataplate  (Read 7663 times)

Dahlknudsen

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Decoding dataplate
« on: June 30, 2010, 10:20:45 »
From this website I have been able to decode most of my dataplate, but not all.

Maybe someone here knows the rest. I put a ? after what I cannot figure and posted a  picture of my dataplate

426: Automatic og servosteering
491: US version
503: Left mirror
513: Becker Europa Radio
568: Signal Red chassis H: Herberts  http://www.standox.de
568: Signal red Hardtop and hupcaps
6: Hardtop monteret, softtop foldet

113044 12: MB 280 SL
7: ?
0: ?
60154: ?
01359: Number on motor, geabox, softtop lid and hardtop.

RickM

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Re: Decoding dataplate
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2010, 14:19:40 »
Regarding your questions related to the Body and Paint Number Plate, below is oulined in the Technical section:


Line 3
113044 12 = First eight digits of VIN
7 = Distribution / Sales Market code - 7 is for "America"*

Line 4
0 = "presumably identifying additional body work for certain versions or options" (May be an O as opposed to Zero)
60154 = Production Number
01359 = Body # number with last four digits stamped on motor, geabox, softtop lid and hardtop.

* Distribution / Sales market codes:
 2, 3 Germany
 4 NATO, Tourists, Diplomats
 5 Europe except Germany
 6 Africa
 7 America
 8 Asia
 9 Australia

« Last Edit: June 30, 2010, 14:31:56 by RickM »

Jonny B

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Re: Decoding dataplate
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2010, 21:13:42 »
Body number is also stamped on the top left edge on the underside of the hood
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

Dahlknudsen

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Re: Decoding dataplate
« Reply #3 on: July 05, 2010, 08:14:37 »

Line 4
0 = "presumably identifying additional body work for certain versions or options" (May be an O as opposed to Zero)


Thanks,
so to understand it correct. The O or 0 meaning is only possible by getting the info from Mercedes classic center?

114015

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Re: Decoding dataplate mystery - and one other "0" (zero)
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2010, 13:07:34 »
Hello Dahl,

the preceding 0 in front of the production number has something to do with the paint preparation of the body depending on the depth of the color tone which was applied later on.
I only know that instead of that "0" an "M" or a dash/hyphen "-" can appear. M means metallic paint.

Our wiki mentiones here the following:
Quote
Where the above sample shows a dash at the beginning of line 4, some cars have a 1 digit number or letter, presumably identifying additional body work for certain versions or options.

Sorry please, but I don't have further info (or better knowledge) here.


Quote
* Distribution / Sales market codes:
 2, 3 Germany
 4 NATO, Tourists, Diplomats
 5 Europe except Germany
 6 Africa
 7 America
 8 Asia
 9 Australia


Hello Rick,
Very interesting here.   :D
However, recently I took a picture of a 230 SL which had the following on its dataplate:

"113 042 10  0" 

;D ;D
Yes, the car had country (or continent) code zero instead of something regular according to your list.
Currently, I don't know what that is.  ??? ???
And ah no, it doesn't mean "moon delivery".

Best,
Achim
(114 015 12 2)

Achim
(Germany)

mbzse

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Re: Decoding dataplate mystery - and one other "0" (zero)
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2010, 16:05:23 »
Quote from: 114015
the preceding 0 in front of the production number has something to do with the paint preparation of the body.../...I only know that instead of that "0" an "M" or a dash/hyphen "-" can appear. M means metallic paint
This is correct. There could be a "6" also. This "6" or a "0" were indicators for standard paint, light or dark pigmented. Hyphen were for mix of standard and metallic on a car(Hard Top vs. body)
/Hans in Sweden

.
/Hans S

Naj ✝︎

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Re: Decoding dataplate
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2010, 16:51:25 »
"0" probably means paint without primer  ;D ;D

naj
68 280SL

Mark280SL

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Re: Decoding dataplate
« Reply #7 on: July 07, 2010, 03:19:27 »
Somewhat related... What is the correct/exact size of the font on the data plate?
Mark

Peter van Es

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Re: Decoding dataplate
« Reply #8 on: July 09, 2010, 11:59:15 »
Have fun: http://new.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/

Or just use this: http://www.fontcubes.com/Mercedes.font

Many embossing machines are limited in the fonts available (separation, clarity of characters does not allow for complex fonts). Some of the better known fonts are Simplex 1, Simplex 2, Block USA.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2010, 12:13:26 by Peter van Es »
1970 280SL. System Admin of the site. Please do not mail or PM me questions on Pagoda's... I'm not likely to know the answer.  Please post on the forum instead!

RickM

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Re: Decoding dataplate
« Reply #9 on: July 09, 2010, 15:53:01 »
I wonder if a Graphotype was used to emboss data plates. These were used for may identification duties, the most popular being military ID / Dog tags.