1965 230SL data card

[DaveB]

I received a copy of my car's data card today. Options include:

493- H.D. heat exchanger U.S. version
508- Outside rearview mirror, left and right
641- White-wall tires

Does anyone know the difference between the standard and the HD heat exchanger - bigger? I'm assuming 493 refers to the heater core, not the motor heat exchanger, which my car does not have.

The car no longer has a passenger mirror so it may have got a new door at some stage.

I'd appreciate any assistance deciphering the country and dealer code 7053692. I think 705 will be somewhere in the US.

One strange thing is the data card and the body plate both indicate no hardtop (---) but the hardtop that was on the car when I bought it is stamped with the correct body number 3062. The original colour of this hardtop is red, though it's been painted over with graphite grey. Anyone ever seen red on grey?

[simonarn]

A comment about the Data Card advice column in the technical advice. I received my data card from Stuttgart and it was a fax of a microfiche and it was very difficult to decipher.
I have waited a long time to work out whether my car is original, and thanks to the detailed advice on the Data Card advice , I have finally been able to decipher almost all of it, so well done and worth a bump to remind anyone thats wondering, how they can quickly decipher their data card.

[Richard Madison]

Dave:

401 Single seats (not a bench seat)

508 is Left Outside mirror. Mirrors on both sides seems to be Code 506.

641 White Wall tyres with single piece hubcap (nave plate).

Code 732 is not in our Tech Manual code list but my 1993 MB code book shows: "Wood Trim Zebrano"

If a Red HT was on the car originally (even though not coded), the hubcaps would have been painted the same Red.
If any underpaint is showing on the hubs, a Red spot might confirm that the car had a Red HT when it left the factory.

Auftrags number (order number):  57053692.

"5" The dealer ordered the car in 1995.

"705" is the dealer region: USA.
 
"122" Interior code is for is Light Red MB Tex.

The list of standard Exterior Interior color plan does not have Grey with a Red interior for a 230SL
but special combinations could have been ordered.

Richard M, NYC

[DaveB]

Thanks Richard,

You're right 508 is a single mirror. 732 is the soft top colour, dark grey.

The hardtop seems to be a later addition as it's  a 280SL type with coarse grain vinyl and lacking the built in locking handles of the 230SL. I wonder if the owner of this 230SL might have later ordered the hardtop? I wouldn't have thought MB would stamp the body number in a hardtop ordered that way, but I can't account for the correct body number otherwise. Good thinking on the hubcap colour; I only have one original hubcap and it's gray, no red beneath.

Although gray with red tex is not listed in the standard exterior/interior combinations, almost all the graphite gray cars I've seen have a red interior.

[Iconic]

One strange thing is the data card and the body plate both indicate no hardtop (---) but the hardtop that was on the car when I bought it is stamped with the correct body number 3062. The original colour of this hardtop is red, though it's been painted over with graphite grey. Anyone ever seen red on grey?

If you post a picture of the "3062" stamp on the hardtop showing the position, font, and general look, members can comment on how similar or disimilar it is to their stamp. Of course the stamping will not be identical from car to car, but we might make interesting observations.

The fact that it is similar to a 280 SL top is interesting.
Mark