Hello John
very interesting! Does your VIN plate indicate the model year or was it based on the dealer's invoice?
Because according to Engelen's book VIN 005585 received the first entry for model year 1969 on October 1, 1968; and the change over for model year 1970 happened on July 31, 1969.
motomoss:
AFAIK, Mereceds did not market the 230SL with different model years but starting with VIN 012354 on August 6, 1965 many changes were made and the model received a significant upgrade but nothing drastically happened in the summer/fall of 1966.