Author Topic: Signs of originality (Read 7171 times)

rwmastel · « **on:** August 02, 2005, 07:47:24 »

Hello,

I don't recall having seen a thread dedicated to this before. Please post here the signs of originality on a W113. For example, assembly line inspection paint dots. Dated stickers or stamps. Serialized parts that match up to entries on the data card. Anything that shows an owner that an aspect of the is factory original, not just historically correct. Keep in mind the differences through the production run, so you might want to state any specifics for your information.

Thanks,

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both tops
1994 E420

rwmastel · « **Reply #1 on:** August 02, 2005, 07:48:23 »

I have seen a date stamp (ink or paint, I'm not sure) on the brake booster. I'll attach a picture later.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both tops
1994 E420

rwmastel · « **Reply #2 on:** August 02, 2005, 07:54:04 »

I've seen a data stamp (ink, I believe) on the back of the white cover over the rear of the clock.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both tops
1994 E420

rwmastel · « **Reply #3 on:** August 02, 2005, 07:55:16 »

I've seen a date sticker on the back side of the main fuse box. You have to get upside down under the dash board and look up with a flash light (torch) to see it.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both tops
1994 E420

rwmastel · « **Reply #4 on:** August 02, 2005, 07:56:06 »

I've seen inspection paint marks on the shock tower bolts in the trunk (boot).

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both tops
1994 E420

rwmastel · « **Reply #5 on:** August 02, 2005, 07:58:47 »

On my data card for my 230SL, built end of Sept. 1966, it lists serialized numbers for the engine, transmission, steering box, front axles, and differential. You can compare these to the stampings on the car. I'm not sure if this data card info was included on later data cards as they changed format over the years.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both tops
1994 E420

rwmastel · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2005, 08:01:23 »

Data cards had key codes and so do the keys. You can use this to find out if your locks are original. Although, Joe A. did demonstrate how you can change the inner lock tumblers to match your key! To know for sure, I believe all the locks have the codes on them as well and this, combined with the data card and actual keys, would determine originality.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both tops
1994 E420

BHap · « **Reply #7 on:** August 02, 2005, 08:18:38 »

Hood, trunk and soft top lid are stamped with a number that matches the last few numbers on the data plate located on the driver's side inner fender - what else is stamped with this number?

Bob Happe
Pittsburgh, Pa
1970 280SL, white/black 4 speed

mdsalemi · « **Reply #8 on:** August 02, 2005, 08:22:25 »

Should probably make a distinction between "originality" and "correctness".

Caveat Emptor: Many items of originality can and are duplicated; data tags, the yellow paint dots and a lot of stickers, labels, dates--even serial numbers etc. Even the proverbial spot weld marks on the fenders can be duplicated. You can also be fooled by older replaced items, which are correct and show their age but are not original. Give me the copy of your original data card and I'll make it say any options you want. It's been done before, usually when there is some significant value to doing so. Around here, a lot of the Detroit Iron is inflating in price and all kinds of scams are abound.

Collectively however, if one is evaluating a car, you can have many signs of originality but just know from looking that the car is not original.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

J. Huber · « **Reply #9 on:** August 02, 2005, 10:38:13 »

The earliest wheels (5.5) have a date stamped on them i.e. 10/63 Cannot speak for later types.

James
63 230SL

waltklatt · « **Reply #10 on:** August 02, 2005, 11:49:28 »

There seems to be quite a few date stamps on the clocks, speedos, tachometers, radios, several relays and fusebox under the dash. I've also seen the date stamped on a piece of paper and stapled to the seat bottoms.
I have read stories of American muscle car owners going through a painstaking quest to find matching numbers and correct date stamped parts. Does anyone know or have an example of how they date coded the parts?
Walter
1967 230SL-diesel
1963 230SL-FS

Naj ✝︎ · « **Reply #11 on:** August 02, 2005, 13:52:37 »

quote:
Hood, trunk and soft top lid are stamped with a number that matches the last few numbers on the data plate located on the driver's side inner fender - what else is stamped with this number?

Heater lever trim etched with #

Download Attachment:

HtrLvrTrm006.JPG
42.27 KB

naj

65 230SL
68 280SL

isofast · « **Reply #12 on:** August 02, 2005, 16:43:22 »

All dash pad parts have a unique build number that is written in grease pencil on the back side to insure proper fit. I am told they did this on hand built cars so that the parts can sequence on early lines. Or catch up later on if Gunter had to take a potty break.
Honest!
Ernie

First Place AACA Show Winner 350SL July 2003
I love low mile Mercedes.
First Place AACA Show winner for 2004 280SL
1969 280 4spd Papyrus White

rwmastel · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2005, 21:14:34 »

quote:
Originally posted by BHap

Hood, trunk and soft top lid are stamped with a number that matches the last few numbers on the data plate located on the driver's side inner fender - what else is stamped with this number?

The support plate for the transmission should have this same number. I don't think the trunk (boot) lid has the number.

quote:
Originally posted by mdsalemi

Should probably make a distinction between "originality" and "correctness".

I thought I did in my original post. "Anything that shows an owner that an aspect of the car is factory original, not just historically correct."

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both tops
1994 E420

J. Huber · « **Reply #14 on:** August 02, 2005, 22:03:18 »

The "Aufbau Nummer" that BHap refers to is also on the hardtop.

James
63 230SL

hauser · « **Reply #15 on:** August 02, 2005, 23:53:08 »

The black trim under the trunk moulding.

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

mdsalemi · « **Reply #16 on:** August 03, 2005, 06:12:36 »

Rodd, you kind of did make the distinction, but my point is many of these things can and are easily duplicated...

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

mdsalemi · « **Reply #17 on:** August 03, 2005, 06:21:47 »

quote:
Originally posted by mdsalemi

Rodd, you kind of did make the distinction, but my point is many of these things can and are easily duplicated...

Nearly every post to this reply is something that can be easily duplicated, or in some cases (serial numbers on the back of interior chrome trim) not something one would ever really discover--and who says that on every car they all matched? You really have to look at the whole picture to properly evaluate originality.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

pablo_o2 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 03, 2005, 06:33:29 »

I have a small paper underneath my seat between the sprins and the bottom that indicates some data about manufacturer etc.

Paul Haems
'68 280SL

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Author Topic: Signs of originality (Read 7171 times)

isofast

hauser