280SL manufacture dates

[UK280SL]

Hello, this is my first post as I have just acquired a 280SL.  My understanding is that the 280SL was first launched in 1968.  However I have some information with the car that suggests it was manufactured in November 1967.  Is this possible?  Would it make it a particularly early car?

The chassis number is 113044-22-003621.

Many thanks for your help.

regards

Warren

[mdsalemi]

Warren,

Welcome to the group.

While there were some 280 SLs manufactured in 1967, 143 to be exact, your VIN probably indicates a 1968 manufacture.  The following chart is adapted from the book Mercedes-Benz Production Models, 1946-1975 by W. Robert Nitske

Year	-- 230 SL --	-- 250 SL --	-- 280 SL --	TOTALS
1963	1,465			1,465
1964	6,911			6,911
1965	6,325			6,325
1966	4,945	17		4,962
1967	185	5,177	143	5,505
1968		2	6,930	6,932
1969			8,047	8,047
1970			7,935	7,935
1971			830	830
TOTALS	19,831	5,196	23,885	48,912

My own car, a 1969 280 SL, ends in -7262 and has a January, 1969 production.  Based upon your VIN I would suggest that your car may have been manufactured in late 1968.  I do not normally carry this information in my head or at my fingertips, but this chart was partially included in the Buyer's Guide I wrote for The Star with the assistance of others here.

[UK280SL]

Thank you Michael - that's very helpful.  I'll treat the other information as rogue!

regards

W

[66andBlue]

Warren,
it is all right here on this site, have a look:
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/USModelYear
Number 003621 was manufactured in May 1968.

[UK280SL]

Excellent - thank you.  As you say it's all there, I just need to find my way round!

W

[Raymond]

There seems to be a discrepancy between the information that Michael has and what's on the Wiki.  These are both different from a list I have, and can't put my fingers on at the moment.  I only paid any attention because my 280 is #000176.  The list I found shortly after buying the car put it on the assembly line in early November 1967.  Not that a month here or there 43 years ago is of any real matter.

[mdsalemi]

There seems to be a discrepancy between the information that Michael has and what's on the Wiki.  These are both different from a list I have, and can't put my fingers on at the moment.  I only paid any attention because my 280 is #000176.  The list I found shortly after buying the car put it on the assembly line in early November 1967.  Not that a month here or there 43 years ago is of any real matter.

Ray--I was merely guessing based on my VIN and a guess of when slightly earlier VIN's may have been produced.  The production was not linear, and there were some November/Decembers when little were produced compared to other months.  I did know, and this was the important point, that there was  no way UK's 1967 information was accurate.

[49er]

 I ordered my 280SL in May of 1968 and it was manufactured in June (if memory serves me right and it does match what the wiki shows). VIN 114 044 10 003820. Took delivery in September so it is a 1969 model.

John

[Peter h]

Hallo John

my car is near to yours. Vin 004635. On my Data Card is a stamp 16. August 1968, also delivery in 1969.
You mean your Vin is 113 044 10 003820 ?

Peter

[49er]

Hallo John

You mean your Vin is 113 044 10 003820 ?

Peter

 Darn keyboard! Yes, 113 for sure Also I believe that even though the car was built in June and I didn't take delivery until September was due to the very long time it took  (over 6 weeks) for the freighter to make the trip across the Atlantic from Bremerhaven to the port here in California, San Pedro.

Only 3 more months before we head over to Traben-Trarbach. Hope we will be able to meet you when we are there but not sure how much "free" time we will have (we are on a river boat cruise).

John

[Peter h]

Hello John

i speak at Wendsday with Achim ( We see us at the Pagodenclub meeting near Cologne ) We talk about your visit at the end of August to Traben Trarbach, an he may by also come along to see you.
I hope you get 2 or 3 hours so we can take a trip around my hometown and drink a glass of wine or more. 

Peter

may by it looks like this, if you take your red lady with you

[49er]

Hi Peter,
 GREAT photos and what a beautiful location there in Germany! Wish I could bring my SL along too:-) My wife and I will be looking forward to meeting you and Achim.

John