Paint Code Question

[71Beige280SL]

As Spring approaches, I am going to restore my car to its original paint color combination. I have attached a photo of the data plate from the engine compartment. The body is already 181H Light Beige. A number of questions...Our technical manual documents that the second paint code, 460 G Dark Maroon, was used on cars from 1963 - 1968. Given the "044" code, my car is a 280SL and I believe a 1971. Do the dates in the Technical Manual apply to the body color only? When a second paint code is present what is the convention? I assumed the 460 G dark maroon color referred to the color of the wheel covers and the hard top. Is that correct?

[Jordan]

You are correct, the 181 refers to the body colour and the 460 is the hardtop and hubcap colour.  That should look very sharp when it is complete.  I like the two tone colour combinations.  I think it adds a little something extra to the overall look.  Look forward to seeing it when complete.

[71Beige280SL]

Thanks Jordan.

[santropezblueSL]

All of these cars were custom built so a buyer or a dealer could specify paint codes which were not active for that year.  A dealer might order a paint colour from a prior year's paint samples and the factory would build it.  I think that is the same way my car ended up with a Bamboo leather interior over 906 graublau metallic paint.  Feel free to correct me if I am wrong but I don't think bamboo leather was on the normal option list for 1971, but was on prior years.