Author Topic: Body Number Stamp (Read 4209 times)

MikeSimon · « **on:** February 11, 2020, 20:48:22 »

The hood on my car does not have a number stamped in the rear left corner. There is no evidence that there ever was one and that it was removed. What is the common opinion about this?
Did replacement hoods not have a number?

Benz Dr. · « **Reply #1 on:** February 11, 2020, 23:20:51 »

I kind of giggle about stuff like this. When people start paying huge sums for all of these matching numbers then I'll have a more concerned approach.

MikeSimon · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2020, 01:10:07 »

I totally agree with you Dan. I could probably care less about the number being there or matching or not. It is just interesting to know, though.
As far as value of the cars are concerned, it may not increase a particular car's value but it may make the difference between selling it or not.

doitwright · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2020, 01:41:16 »

If a stamped number is not present I would believe it was wither replaced or filled in during some previous repair work. When I had my SL's body work done, all the stamped numbers matched except the soft top compartment lid. It was different by 2 digits. Who knows?

Garry · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2020, 06:24:49 »

No number means it’s a replacement given that each hood was specifically numbered, filed and fitted to each car.

Jordan · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2020, 12:36:44 »

Mike, are you 100% sure it is not there? Could it have been covered over with bondo in the past by mistake (like notches getting sanded off by mistake)?

MikeSimon · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2020, 13:36:22 »

No, it is not there. There is absolutely no bondo in that area. You can see the spot welds right there clearly and unfilled

mclewis · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2020, 14:56:40 »

The 280SL that I owned before my current one needed to have the hood replaced. The new MB hood I had installed did not have a number on it.

MikeSimon · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2020, 21:35:27 »

Here is a photo of the area where the number is supposed to be - I think

49er · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2020, 22:18:49 »

This picture shows the number (barely). There are also some weathered remains of some stickers that perhaps were applied sometime during the build of the car or later maintenance? Anyone else have something similar?

John

neelyrc · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2020, 03:39:19 »

Quote from: 49er on February 12, 2020, 22:18:49

This picture shows the number (barely). There are also some weathered remains of some stickers that perhaps were applied sometime during the build of the car or later maintenance? Anyone else have something similar?

John

Mine has a very clear hard stamp, John. No other sticker remnants.

neelyrc · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2020, 04:04:19 »

Compare the pictures. In addition to the missing number, the detail of Mike’s hood is significantly different from mine and John’s. I suppose this is due to the much later production date of Mike’s car. Can someone else with a late 280SL post a picture for comparison?

GM · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2020, 04:33:20 »

To Ralph's question - here's the underside of the hood from my '71 showing the structure. ("correct" number clipped off photo, but it's there)

MikeSimon · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2020, 13:37:53 »

Interesting!. I am looking really hard and cannot see a difference in the structure. Can you pinpoint what you are referring to?

mbzse · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2020, 16:16:34 »

Two images from a Brabus video.
Showing Body No and some hood underside structure.
This is an unrestored, original SL.

MikeSimon · « **Reply #15 on:** February 13, 2020, 17:58:52 »

Still: Can someone point to the differences in structure, rather than putting up more pictures which all look the same to me?

Iconic · « **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2020, 18:10:42 »

Mike,
If the number is missing, and it is not covered with body filler, it is most probably a replacement hood.
I would look further for evidence of a body shop repair.

mbzse · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2020, 18:40:39 »

Quote from: MikeSimon

Still: Can someone point to the differences in structure.../...

Like yourself, I do not see any difference...?

neelyrc · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2020, 19:07:52 »

Could just be my eyes! My hood has oval shaped cutouts in the reinforcing plate. In your picture, and that of GM these appear to be depressions or indentations, not actual cut outs. Again, could be my eyes.

Garry · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2020, 20:17:28 »

I think there is agreement it’s a replacement hood, i guess the next question is, what else was replaced during what appears to be a major repair, one or both guards?

MikeSimon · « **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2020, 20:20:47 »

O.K., Ralph, they are cutouts. the hood has an outer and inner skin tagged together by the spot-welds.
And yes, the car had an accident repair. I know for a fact that the previous owner had the front right fender replaced and he repainted the car.
I just did not know that the hood was a replacement also.
Thanks all for chiming in!

Garry · « **Reply #21 on:** February 13, 2020, 20:24:06 »

The hood was the single most expensive panel item you can buy from MB. I saw a brand new one some years ago in Australia that MB had sold here for AUD$9k so well over $6k USD. That’s a big throw away item......

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Author Topic: Body Number Stamp (Read 4209 times)