Is it possible that the info: we have which states that the last four digits of the chassis/frame# was stamped on the bonnet/hood,soft and hard top , boot/trunk lid at the factory on production is an old wives tail/myth.
My 1968 280sl last four digits are 4288 this is on the plate on the bulkhead and is also stamped on the right hand chassis leg.
The bonnet/hood, soft and hard top cover and the boot/trunk lid has 3757 stamped on them,when i removed the green paint that the PO had painted it i got down to the original colour,the underside of the bonnet/hood was also in the original colour once i removed the black paint.
It would seem hard to believe that at some stage in the past the above parts were fitted that were all the same colour,it is also worth noting that there was no sign of previous accident damage.