RL stencil on both sides of the block

[g2000tpembroke]

Having sold my 1962 190 sl four years ago I have become the very proud owner of a 1967 250 sl I have owned it now for a few months and am in the process of of recommissioning the car its been in storage for many years, everything I have needed help on so far I have managed to research on the forum but one thing I have not found any information on is the stencil on the side of the block both sides  RL
The block has been repainted red and someone has gone to reasonable lengths to leave them original I believe from reading the forum it should be black but would be interested to know if any member of the forum can tell me if they are original stencils from the factory.

[Benz Dr.]

I've never seen RL but I have seen USA stamped on the block in the same places.

[mnahon]

Russland (Russia)?

Maybe get the data card...

[Pawel66]

Is it an RHD car?

Rechts Lenkung?

[g2000tpembroke]

Yes UK RHD matching numbers and data card

[Pawel66]

Then perhaps it is Rechts Lenkung marking... or Rechtslenker maybe.

[g2000tpembroke]

Thanks Pawel
That would make sense Right Steering it would be nice to find out if anyone else has come across it my car was a one owner car and has only covered 50k miles.
Also I am sure having read the forum that the block original colour was black.
 

[Cees Klumper]

I remember reading (a contribution from Joe Alexander maybe?) that the engine blocks were first coated with an orange/reddish color, underneath the black, but I could be mis-remembering.

[Pawel66]

I think I also remember from similar reading as Cees that this reddish coating was meant to fill/close micropores (not sure if the word is correct) in the casting material - but I may be confusing something...