owners data plate holder brochure

[Merc_Girl]

Hi folks
Has anyone seen/heard of these?
The company seem to be offering these for a range of different Mercedes models, which I can understand, but then has the period as 1961-80!!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/362898243614

[john.mancini]

During the 60's and through the 80's many new cars came with a metal "Protect-o-plate" that had the original owner's name and information on it. For MB, this metal plate was attached to a small card/brochure that was included in the owner's manual envelope. I still have some originals with the cars that I own. They are a nice piece of the car's history.

[Garry]

Katie,


I gather from the eBay listing that they are not offering the plate as well which is a pity as that would be a nice thing to put in the glove box with your owners manual etc.. 
It would be a bit like buying a windscreen seal but not getting a windscreen if you did not already own one.

[neelyrc]

Here is a mirror image of the data plate delivered with my car in 1969.  The data plate fits into a slot in the plastic cover of the Vehicle Service Manual. 

[jharkin]

It is kind of neat to have. My car came with original owner's data plate in that  original service booklet..
Handling stuff like that is like looking back in time.

[Merc_Girl]

Ooh, wonder if I can find someone to make the metal plate? Maybe neelyrc could send dimensions? Then maybe alpina could do the card??!!

[alpina]

If someone has some good images of the card, I will recreate it for you.

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

Sound like a neat addition, the issue is finding the "original" owners name. 

Mine is a Germany delivered car and I have tried desperately to obtain that information to no avail.  Even the Germany owner of the car before me attempted through his DMV with no success.  Any possible suggestions would be terrific

JB

[alpina]

Enjoy.

[John Betsch - "SADIE"]

I see that the data plate holder indicates Mercedes-Benz of North America.  Is this only a US  car thing?

jb

[hkollan]

Hi,

Yes it is a US thing only.
General Motors among others also used the same system, where it went under the name Protect-o-plate /  Protectoplate.

Hans K

[Merc_Girl]

Thanks Darren (aka AlpinaLtd), I’m officially impressed 😁

[neelyrc]

Ooh, wonder if I can find someone to make the metal plate? Maybe neelyrc could send dimensions? Then maybe alpina could do the card??!!

Here is a rough sketch.  My guess is that finding someone to duplicate the plate and emboss the lettering will not be a simple matter.

[hansr433]

Those plates were the equivalent to today's service Departments reading the keys of your cars and downloading all the info.  In the 60-70s, the plates would be put into a credit card-type machine and imprinted onto the work orders.  Made filing of the service history easier.  Anyone remember the CARDEX system?