Body and paint number plate

[Koorzen]

My plate has the code 428. I can't find what the equipment means. Please help

[WRe]

Hi,
option code 428 was 5-speed manual transmission from 1.1.1970.
...WRe

[Koorzen]

Hi, Thank you for your response. I found information on the network that the 5-speed gearbox has the code 230. Perhaps it had this code until the end of 1969?

reagards

Lukasz

[Jonny B]

As an aside, the number plate you have in the photo should be located at the secondary hood latch on the left side of the car, adjacent to the brake booster (on left hand drive cars).

[WRe]

Hi,
there have been some re-tweaks regarding the option codes from Mercedes.
For example code 230:
- 230 REAR AXLE RATIO 1 : 3.69
- 230 from 01.05.1974 to 28.02.1986 "REAR AXLE RATIO 1:3,69"
- 230 from 01.12.1965 to 30.09.1970 FIVE-SPEED TRANSMISSION
- 230 from 01.10.1964 to 30.11.1965 "FIVE-SPEED TRANSMISSION WITH REAR AXLE RATIO 1:4,08 (KM)"
...WRe

[Koorzen]

Hi,
Maybe that's the US version. It's in a different place in my car.

Regards

Lukasz

[Pawel66]

I am afraid it is just in the wrong place.

[Koorzen]

You're right. So there should be a VIN plate in this place?

[Jonny B]

For a Euro car that is the spot for the VIN plate.

[Koorzen]

Thank you for your help. At this point, I have
VIN plate on the door pillar. I will change it during car restoration.

[Pawel66]

Your car is not a US car. Euro cars did not have the VIN plate on a pillar. Perhaps someone moved around the plates when the car arrived in the US. Do you have any plate by the relay bracket?

If you are off to restore this car, I think one of the best decisions you can make now is to join this club and have access to all the information that is there in the Technical Manual.

[Koorzen]

That's right, the car is European. I do not have any plate on the relay bracket.

[Pawel66]

To bring it to the original state - the plate we are discussing goes on the bracket, new plate with VIN (or maybe the one from the pillar can be used - in my case, however, it was American one stuck to the pillar) can be ordered from the dealer, goes on the firewall.

[Koorzen]

My vin plate, as far as I'm not mistaken, is European but in the wrong place.

[Shvegel]

I am sure some well meaning Bureaucrat said, "This tag needs to be on the door pillar."  When it was moved there was an ugly open space on the firewall pad so someone thought, "I know.  I will fill it up with this other tag over here. The tag on the firewall currently does indeed go over by the hood catch readable from the outside of the car and retained by 2 phillips screws.  Plate, screws then paint over the top of it all.

[MikeSimon]

Wasn't there a DOT requirement in the U.S. from a certain point in time on, that VIN numbers had to be seen from outside the car?

[Jonny B]

From the list of changes printed in Pagoda World 25, the "visible" VIN requirement went into effect at VIN 7114 starting at 23 Dec 1968.

[neelyrc]

My car, 007749, Jan 1969, has the VIN plaque on the A pillar visible from outside the car.

[Shvegel]

neelyrc,  That tag fulfilled US DOT (Department of Transportation) regulations that the VIN be visible through the windshield on the left side of the car.  I am not sure of when they made the switch but it was late in the run.  Mine was missing until I found it folded back under the pillar cover.

[Jonny B]

Shevegel - see post below, change made at 23 Dec 1968