Data cards from the Classic Center Irvine

[66andBlue]

In another topic the question was raised whether the Classic Center will still provide data cards.
So about a week ago I asked Tom Hanson about this and he replied as follows:

Yes, we can still get data cards. If you can prove it's your car, we can
provide the data card. I'll try to get back on the forum.

Kind regards, / Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
Tom
________________________________
Thomas Hanson
Supervisor, Parts Operations
MBUSA, LLC
9 Whatney
Irvine, CA 92618-2808
http://www.mbclassiccenter.com/
Desk:    949-598-4842
Mobile:  949-910-3829
Fax:      949-598-4870
Email:   thomas.hanson@mbusa.com

I wanted to wait for him to tell us directly but I guess he is too busy.

[roadsterdude]

I got one very recently (about 2 months ago) for an '80 300SD I bought.  Just e-mailed them a copy of the registration with my request. 

[snowyt 69]

I also received a Data Card recently.
Although lacking the scope of the original, it did provide me with usefull information.
It was free and in my in-box in two days.
The information had to come from Germany, as this is where my car was first delivered.
It's pretty hard to go wrong for free.

[J. Huber]

Hey Snowy -- what do mean by lacking the scope? Were some areas blacked out?

[snowyt 69]

Not blacked out.
But my understanding of the data card was that it covered all sorts of information. Differential numbers. Hard top numbers. Suspension numbers. Numbers everywhere.
I got engine, transmission, seats, paint code, carpet code, soft top roof code, seat belts, fire extinguisher, floor shift auto transmission and power steering, radio type, automatic script delete, and a D card, and maybe I forgot one or two points. But I certainly didn't get the scope of the hieroglyphics that a data card really represented.
I'm not complaining. It was free and it confirmed most of what I believed to be true about my car.
This is helpful information if you buy a mouse nest that has sat for ten years with the roof down from a guy, who delightful, isn't exactly a car guy.

[66andBlue]

Not blacked out.
But my understanding of the data card was that it covered all sorts of information. Differential numbers. Hard top numbers. Suspension numbers. ...

Not quite. The technical manual shows the different versions of the data card over the years. While the layout changed the actual information did not change that much, just kept up with later options.
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/DataCards

[Jim Donati]

I too received from the Classic Center an email with the information that appears to be Representative of the information on the original Data Card in addition to a JPEG image of a data card.  I was  very glad to get this information since this is all I had, but I still wish I had a a true Data Card that came with the car when new. 

Does anybody know if there is a way to get an original or reproduction Data Card to make my car complete?

Jim

[snowyt 69]

Like I said, the original data card contained way more information than what I was supplied by email. Click on the link provided me and you will find...
7-Rear axle number.
8-Steering box number.
9-Battery supplier.
12-Left front axle number.
The list goes on. I digress.
None of this really matters to me save for simple curiosity.
I got the basics and for this I am glad. I would love to know the rest, but only for the sake of curiosity.
Oh by the way, my Data Card also stated that my interior was 135, MB-Tex Cream.
I went bananas. All this over-spray, and they hadn't thought to paint the seats?
135 is 5000 Blue if memory serves me. 135 is Blue in any case. My seats and carpet are blue. 135 is Blue.
So take your microfiche Data Card with a great big grain of salt.

[J. Huber]

According to the wiki, 135 is MB tex Blue so your data card did ok there. Unless it reads "cream" which would surprise me. I also think as a 69, the data cards changed to not include most of what you mention are missing. In other words, it seems to me that card might be it (salt or not.) I went through a number of wrestling moves with my card (and my car in general), swearing this and that. As I learned more about things, it all fell into place. Mercedes Benz rarely makes mistakes.