Who is CLOSED Dealer in CA #05723

[ckcat113]

I am trying to do some research for my 1970 280sl and from the data card and VIN we know it was delivered/sold by Dealer #05723, but they are closed.  I have checked with Park Place in Dallas, as well as the MB Classic Center and MB National Customer Service and no one can seem to find who dealer 05723 is.  It is believed to be in Southern CA, but beyond that, know one can tell me anything.

Anyone have a list pre 1983 (Classic's list) that might have ALL or more listed, or happen to have a car from there that knows which old dealer that is?  Would love your help!

Chris

[49er]

 Hello Chris, In addition to the information I sent you, here is a complete listing of all CA dealers as of April 1968. Many are closed now but I believe these other LA area dealers,  House of Imports in Brea, Slemons in Santa Ana and Palmer in Long Beach are still in business. You might try contacting them directly to see if the dealer code 05723 rings a bell. As for the several other Southern CA dealers I am unsure of their status.

John

[Garry]

looking at those numbers and it appears that californian dealers numbers all started with 9?

[kampala]

Garry

The numbers with a 9 are the post code

[49er]

 I should have added that the dealer number for Carwell Corp. (where I bought my  280SL) was #05705. The dealer number was no where to be found on the purchase order agreement but imprinted on service receipts.

John

[Garry]

Postcodes.   Doh.

[ckcat113]

THANK YOU so much for this list.  I will start to make a list of each and their #.  I will reach back out to the Classic Centre as well as national to start to fill in the gaps.  This is wonderful, thank you!!!

You mentioned in addition to the what you sent me.  What is that?  I have not seen anything else unless i am forgetting something.

Also, if you would consider scanning or doing pics of the entire book, I would be willing to put it into excel and we can start to assign dealer codes for them all if you think it would be helpful to the group.  I keep hearing of people looking as well and if is would bless others I would be happy to help.

Thanks SO much again!
Chris Cole

[lreppond]

I’ve been attempting to obtain that same list of dealers codes to no avail.  At one point, MBNA would share that information based on the experiences of other group members but for some reason will no longer provide it.  Although 49ers list was current as of ‘68, other dealers did pop up after that date.  For example, I purchased a new 450SL from Arnold Weibe Motors in Visalia, CA in ‘73 and my understanding was that they started selling MB autos in 1970. 

[ckcat113]

I have a list that I think is somewhat if not current, and hope to marry it to the 1968 list.  The idea is then to be able to post it for others to add and I will update as people send me dealer info.  I am also  putting in there other names IE Van Winkle Mercedes was name in 1970 but then purchased by Park Place so need multiple names as well.   Hoping to get all I can in and make available to all to help.  I have 354 listed so far.

chris

[ckcat113]

Turns out #05705 that was Carwell Corp became MB of South Bay.  I am trying to create an over all list as well as list of previous AKA names in case purchased.

Chris

[ckcat113]

John -

the first page came through wonderful but the 2 that are together are sort of fuzzy and hard to read.  Would it be possible and not too much to ask to do a higher res pic or send them separately so look as great as the first page?  Trying to get these entered in the overall list.

And no dealer numbers are anywhere to match to them right?  Interesting as some are the same as new names but no way to know who is who.

Chris

[lreppond]

Ralph Neeley has published his original MSRP sticker on this site and it includes his dealers number code.  I’m assuming many members may have similar documents with more codes.  It may take time but the info is out there.  It would be great to include this in the Tech Manual as part of the data card information. 

[ckcat113]

That is my hope.  As I get info I am adding into the excel list I have started. Old, new, closed, open, 4 digit, 5 digit, whatever the info I am trying to start to keep track.  Once I get the 1968 info input then hopefully some info from the Classic Centre on what they have I was going to publish it so everyone can check and add or give me their codes etc and the goal would be to create an overall list to share with all.  At least that is the idea.