Early 230SL Questions

[Cole]

Hi,

I have a fairly early '63 230SL (under 150 serial number). It has the vertical spare tire well in the trunk which is interesting.
I'm learning more about this early phase of 230SL production and what was included or not, such as the metal data plate on the driver's side of the motor compartment that has the color codes. It looks like it was never put on and all that's there is the body number stamped on the small platform where the data plate normally is.
Questions:
1. Does anyone know if the color codes are included any place else (on the car) on a very early pagoda like this? I know they're on the data card.
2. The car is currently titled as a '64 so I'd like to get that corrected at DMV when I title the car in my state. They will want MB documentation showing that the VIN is in the '63 production year. Also, I'm aware of the difference between a model year and first registration year and want the title to reflect the actual production year. Does anyone know where I can get this documentation that clearly shows it's from Mercedes?
3. Please let me know where I can get more info on these early 230SL details, if you know of them.

Thanks very much.
Cole

[Aaron h]

I know of no DMV's that will allow you to change the model year for this reason.  So even if your car's data card from Mercedes says it was made in 1963 the DMV will always/usually classify it as a 1964 if it was made or sold after August/September of 1963.  Though, maybe they've lightened up as of late. 

If you want your cars data card you need to contact Tom Hansen at the Classic center, send/email proof of ownership and the cars VIN, and fork out $150 for a copy of the data card.  The paint code has been on Mercedes cars since the late 1940's.  If you can't find yours I guess we have to assume it's been removed.  :/  Sadly, that isn't an uncommon thing. 

[Cole]

I appreciate it, Aaron,

Based on the production data from this site, the last VIN produced for June '63 was 000037 and the last VIN for July was 000142, so my car was built in July '63.

I just checked for another number plate on the car with the color code and body number and found it on the driver's front door jam/pillar. This was likely a carryover from prior model(s), like the 190SL, until they came out with the standard pagoda data plate in the motor compartment probably later in '63 or '64.

If anybody has more info and/or articles on these early 230SLs, I'd like to hear about it.

Thanks!
Cole.

[twistedtree]

I've got a similar vintage 230, #1946, build Jan '64.  I don't recall a number plate on the door pillar, so will have to check to see if I have one.  Through the work I've done on my car, I've learned a bunch about the earlier version. There was a distinct transition at a certain serial number, perhaps in the 2000 range?  I've been away from working on the car for a while, so am a bit rusty with all this.  Just be cautious getting parts because a bunch a stuff is different.  The MB parts list typically shows serial number breaks, so be tuned to that.

[twistedtree]

Where on the door pillar are you seeing the color codes?  Is it a riveted tag?  Any chance you could send a picture?  I don't see one on my car, but it has been resprayed and it might have been removed at some point.

Thanks

[Cole]

I appreciate the feedback, Peter.

Attached are a couple pictures showing:
1. the body number stamped where the later data plate would be
2. the metal body number tag with the 717 G (papyrus white) color code on the driver-side front door jam.
This was the way they did it on the early ones before putting the data plate on the left side of the motor compartment.

Cole.

[114015]

Very nice, Cole...   

Where on the door pillar are you seeing the color codes?  Is it a riveted tag?  Any chance you could send a picture?  I don't see one on my car,

Sheetmetal screws. DIN 7981 something.

No, Peter, you won't find that on your car, #001946...
Your car is far too young.
The changeover with the number plates was after VIN 001076.


Achim

[Iconic]

I was hoping Achim would get in on this conversation due to his knowledge of the early 230 SLs.
Good luck with your early 230 SL, Cole.

Mark
(fan of facts)

[Cole]

I appreciate all your responses, gentlemen.
Also, I had a nice chat with a lady a couple days ago who owns #18, which her dad brought over from Germany many years ago. She wants to keep the car and maybe give to her kids later.
I'd also like your opinions regarding how collectors view the early ones. Do you think that only the really early ones like the first five or so built are considered really hot and the remaining 100 - 500 (?) fall in the desirable bucket or ?

Thanks.
Cole