VIN #: 113044 vs B072194P

[n/a]

Hello everyone,
I'm trying to buy a 280SL and been reading as much as I could online but I have a doubt about VIN numbers.
I'm currently evaluating two 280s and the VIN number for one of them is quite different from all the others I've seen. Usually the numbers are something like: 11304410...... while this one's starts with: B072194P.......

Anybody knows why this is? (maybe it's a foreign car?)
and if so, does it mean anything? like reducing the car's collectible value, etc?

Thank you very much.
-gabriel

[Jonny B]

That is quite an interesting question. The first number is the one that we are all used to seeing in the context of VIN, 113 being the chassis, 044 being a 280SL and 10 being a manual tranny. There is also the VIN stamped on the right front subframe under the intake runner. Are the other numbers on the paint and body tag, that is screwed to the left front subrame?? In your internet ramblings did you run across OurSL.com. They have a very nice summary document about evaluating the 113 cars. You can also enter "buy" into the search engine on this site, and should come up with links to several threads on the forum.

When you do get the VIN question squared away, then it comes down to getting the car looked at and some mechanical inspections done.

Good luck.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[Richard Madison]

If you saw this number in an ad, on eBay, etc. then maybe it's not the VIN. People selling these cars sometimes know very little about them...they might copy a part number, or a number from an old paper, or who knows what and post it as the VIN. We have all seen eBay descriptions that are impossible.

If you actually saw this number on the car where the VIN should be,  then indeed it is a mystery since all Pagoda VIN numbers start with 113. Mo matter when made or where the car was sold, a Pagoda VIN starts with 113.

Richard M

[rwmastel]

Perhaps it's a W107 chassis 280SL?

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

[Richard Madison]

Here's a website that explains Mercedes VIN numbers...seems that a W107 VIN starts with 107, so "B072..." is probably not a VIN.

http://www.autoshoppingcenter.com/BurlingameMotors/your_Mercedes-Benz.html

Richard M

[Jonny B]

If anyone can decipher where the full number might have come from, here it is B072194P0657206. This is listed on ebay with their item identifier of 2461864881.

Jonny B
1967 250SL Auto

[andre]

I would guess one of two things.

1,  The VIN is incorrect

2,  If that VIN is on a plate that is over the "true VIN" the car is a theft recovery.

I recall an auction where there was a 65 Mustang fastback where the VIN had a VIN "plate" no way for the perspective bidders to determine if it truely was a "K" car as it was represented.

andre

[pkiefert]

in some states, when a car is substantially rebuilt such as a salvage chassis or totalled wreck, or theft situation, it must be assigned a new VIN number which is attached by an authorized state inspector.  Check the right front frame rail near the air cleaner to try to find the orginal VIN stamped into the steel.

[n/a]

After asking the current owner if he could explain the difference in the VIN number, he couldn't give me a straight answer, so I decided not to purchase the car.
Thanks everyone for all the replies.
-gabriel