Data Tags

[andyburns]

Hi there,  am a newbie on the forum and have just purchased my first pagoda.  Previously I have restored a couple of old W108's www.flickr.com/andyburnsnz

I would really appreciate if someone can point me in the direction of somewhere I can decode the body data tag.  I recognise a few bit and pieces (yes I know the car is painted the wrong colour:)

I am interested in the rest of the data after the colour codes. 

I have sorted it until the 9 on the second line (dont know what this is) and the entire last line.

I am trying to figure out exactly when the car was manufactured as well.  I think its a 63.  Old timers in Germany wont provide me with the information unless I go through the dealer network which is a pain in the bum.  My local dealership is ignoring my resquest so guess I will have to figure it out on my own.


Any help appreciated.

Regards

Andrew

[Garry]

Hi Andy and welcome to the group. Like your number plates.

The tag you have photographed is the Body and Paint Code plate.  The best thing to get is the Data Card that can be obtained from Classic Centre in California not Europe.

You need to email them seeking the card quoting your VIN number.

Have a read around the Technical Manual in the following area

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/Start

Having the data card will give you exactly what the car was when it left the factory, the market it sold in and lots more.

On the Body and Paint Codes, the following will decode the plate.

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/BodyandPaintNumberPlate


Ask any questions here there is a wealth of experience and many willing to help fellow Pagoda Owners.

Garry

[andyburns]

Hi Gary,

I should have looked around a bit before I posted dumb ass questions.  I found the following page http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/BodyandPaintNumberPlate

Quite interesting.  My tag doesn't seem to have a factory options section.  I thought it might have at least one.  Interesting that it was made for the Australian market and then obviousuly shipped to New Zealand.

I am really interested and excited with the last row which is according to the link the production number (no 277) and the body number (61).  I am assuming that this makes this car one of the very first off the line. 

If anyone knows exactly what production and body number means I would be appreciative of an explantion. 

The car is a bit of a freak.  Its had one owner for the past 27 years who has only done 3500 miles in total.  A bit of a time capsule. 

[Garry]

Andy,

There are no silly questions here. every one starts somewhere. Some of the things I did to my 280SL that came from Scotland via NZ before I know what I was doing I now deeply regret. like throwing away the electric aerial from the car as I thought it was part of the newer radio that was fitted.  Turned out to be the original aerial, just new radio.

You really need the Data card from Classic Centre as that will give you the exact date ex production as well as all the options that it had. They usually send within 48 hours if you email them.   

The Vin will also identify where in the production it was made.

Cheers
Garry

[andyburns]

Hi Garry,

I cant seem to get in touch with the california classic center.  They dont publish any email address's and only seem to allow queries from US customer. ie you have to know your US zip state etc to enter the online query.  Do you have any direct email contacts thier.

I would dearly love to get that card!

[andyburns]

Any one got know where I could find a photo of a car painted in 519G light red???

[JamesL]

I did mine through the German Classic centre - they needed proof of ownership of the vehicle and the VIN - I sent them that and a pic of that data plate.

http://kontakt.mercedes-benz-classic.com/mbc/welcome

[Garry]

Send an email to Tom Hansen at the Classic centre asking for the Data Card and giving your VIN number, maybe a copy of your bill of sale also.

thomas.hanson@mbusa.com

It appears no one on the forum has the red colour you were asking about otherwise the colour codes in the Tech Manual would have had a photo of a car in the colour.

Garry

[andyburns]

Cheers,  I will send an email off this evening.  Thanks for you help.  The colour my car was originally painted must have been quite unpopular for there to be no photos around.  I am considering returning it to the original scheme but really want an image of one painted in this colour before making the decision.

[twistedtree]

The Data Card is the ultimate source of info, but with your VIN and the Tech Manual on this site you will be able to confirm exactly which model car you have, and narrow its production date down to a particular month/year, and you don't have to wait for the Data Card to do it.

[JamesL]

http://bruceadams190sl.com/html/restored/slr.php

Not a matching swim suit but this appears to be HellRot