Author Topic: Data plate or else!  (Read 10879 times)

Mark280SL

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Data plate or else!
« on: May 29, 2008, 13:35:35 »
I've been wanting to find a way to replace the data plate that is missing from the left inner fender of my 70 280 sl, you know the one with the paint codes etc. that has the numbers stamped in an embossed fashion?

I know this has been discussed on other threads and from everything I've read so far nobody out there is currently able or at least set up to make one of these plates.

I'm Determined to recreate that darn plate that I'm missing, it's bugging me and I'm on a mission. I've found a vendor who says he can make me the stamps to do it so unless the price is absurd I am going to go for it but he wants more then a photo of a data plate (I've sent him one from another car) he wants the font info or at least the actual size in mm of the letters/numbers from an actual plate so he can create stamps that will produce lettering that is true to the original.

SO... the question is does anybody know what the font and exact character sizes are? (I'm guessing it may be custom so nobody will) exact size of the plate itself too?

If not would someone who has the original plate be willing to do a tracing with a pencil and paper and mail a tracing to me so he can use that font to make the stamps? I'll gladly pay the postage of course  :)
« Last Edit: May 30, 2008, 12:40:21 by Mark280SL »
Mark

halman2228

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #1 on: May 29, 2008, 17:13:27 »
Mark -

I could swear I ran across a thread here wherein a source was identified. I think the source even posted in the thread. Do some more searching.

I'd look around for you some but time to log off and get home...

Regards,
Kevin

Mark280SL

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #2 on: May 29, 2008, 17:56:54 »
Hi Kevin,

I think you are referring to Craig in Australia who has made some very nice plates for others here but has told me he can't make the data plate. If somebody knows who can do it I'd not bother with it but I'm not aware of anybody who can so I'm up for a try. And besides.... you can never have enough tools! :D

quote:
Originally posted by halman2228

Mark -

I could swear I ran across a thread here wherein a source was identified. I think the source even posted in the thread. Do some more searching.

I'd look around for you some but time to log off and get home...

Regards,
Kevin

« Last Edit: May 29, 2008, 18:27:29 by Mark280SL »
Mark

waqas

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #3 on: May 29, 2008, 23:43:35 »
For the sake of easier access to information, I'm posting a link to the recent discussion about reproduction plates:

http://index.php?topic=8389

Waqas (Wa-kaas) in Austin, Texas

rwmastel

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2008, 06:50:19 »
Or, does he mean this plate?

Download Attachment: BP4.jpg
58.8 KB
Rodd

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Mark280SL

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2008, 06:59:17 »
Rodd, yes that is exactly it. Thank You for that image.

The image you attached (BP4.jpg) is the plate I'm talking about. It is also mentioned in writing in the thread wagas shared when you open that link.

The Photo that comes up at the top in the thread Wagas shared is something unrelated, it is a plate that Craig CAN produce, he does not produce the one I'm talking about and as far as I know no one does, hence my request for someone to send me the sizes of the letters and or a tracing.

quote:
Originally posted by rwmastel

Or, does he mean this plate?

Download Attachment: BP4.jpg
58.8 KB

« Last Edit: May 30, 2008, 12:36:39 by Mark280SL »
Mark

Bob G MN

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2008, 14:40:03 »
Mark,
I would be very surprised  if you can get a plate with raised letters and numbers. I think the only equiptment available to make these plates stamps the letters down not raised.  Let us know if you can find someone to do raised letters.
Bob

rwmastel

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2008, 21:52:07 »
Perhaps these plates are stamped down from the back?
Rodd

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jacovdw

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2008, 02:03:55 »
Is someone perhaps willing to take their plate off and post a photo of the flipside of the plate.

Previous owner (probably due to ignorance) unfortunately riveted my plate to the fender.


Klaus

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2008, 07:46:26 »
Mark,
did you discuss this with the Classic Center (e.g. Tom Hanson)? At least up to ten years ago we were able to order various plates from MB in Germany, don't know if they are still willing to do it.

mdsalemi

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2008, 08:23:28 »
I initially misread this post, thinking the plate in question was the one on the inside of the door jamb.  That one would be a bit harder to duplicate, because it contains Mercedes information and most legitimate people won't touch it.  You'd have to find a mom and pop shop.  Further, that has a [silkscreened] blank in which numbers are stamped, I believe.  That means the first one is going to cost many hundreds of dollars, the second one, just pennies...

However the one Mark is looking at is just a blank.  Try working with these folks:

http://embossedmetalnameplates.com/index.html
Michael Salemi
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Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
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Mark280SL

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2008, 08:51:53 »
Michael,

As always YOU are the MAN! Thank you! From the look of their site they ought to be able to do it. I'll give them a call Monday.

If anybody can tell me what the correct size the plate should be and the sizes of the letters it would be appreciated, I suppose I could do guesstimation based on the holes where the plate was on my car and try and guess the letter sizes based on the photo Rodd sent but it would be nice to have some actual info so I end up with a plate true to the original.

And also for those of you who have totally original cars was the plate painted the color of the car or was it unpainted ?

quote:
Originally posted by mdsalemi

I initially misread this post, thinking the plate in question was the one on the inside of the door jamb.  That one would be a bit harder to duplicate, because it contains Mercedes information and most legitimate people won't touch it.  You'd have to find a mom and pop shop.  Further, that has a [silkscreened] blank in which numbers are stamped, I believe.  That means the first one is going to cost many hundreds of dollars, the second one, just pennies...

However the one Mark is looking at is just a blank.  Try working with these folks:

http://embossedmetalnameplates.com/index.html

« Last Edit: May 31, 2008, 08:55:16 by Mark280SL »
Mark

Mike Hughes

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2008, 10:37:42 »
It is body color.  Very likely painted after it was attached to the body.
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mdsalemi

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #13 on: May 31, 2008, 13:59:26 »
Mark,

I'll take a good photo of mine with dimensions and send it to you.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
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CraigS

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2008, 04:36:14 »
I am currently in Germany and will be meeting with the plate producer on Tuesday. Will then be able to confirm whether they are able to produce this plate or not, and if not, I will try and find an alternate option.

Craig

mdsalemi

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #15 on: June 02, 2008, 15:56:31 »
The plate measures 3.5 x 1.75, with rounded corners about .0625 radius.  The font is standard block font for embossing, measuring .25 high.

I'll get a rubbing off of mine and you can get the proper placement.  Dimensions in inches of course.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
2023 Ford Escape Hybrid
2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

Mark280SL

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #16 on: June 02, 2008, 20:26:09 »
Michael, thank you very much, that's a big help.

quote:
Originally posted by mdsalemi

The plate measures 3.5 x 1.75, with rounded corners about .0625 radius.  The font is standard block font for embossing, measuring .25 high.

I'll get a rubbing off of mine and you can get the proper placement.  Dimensions in inches of course.

Mark

CraigS

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #17 on: June 05, 2008, 01:02:06 »
OK. I am getting closer to a solution. The maker of the chassis plates in Germany is unable to make them, however I have identified another source that believes he can do it, and I am just waiting on confirmation. I have also identified the type of equipment required to produce them, which was what led me to this other source. Unfortunately, the equipment is not cheap enough to allow me to buy it and hope for sufficient orders to cover the cost.
One question however - is the plate steel or aluminium ? Anyone have a magnet handy ?

mdsalemi

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #18 on: June 05, 2008, 08:39:40 »
Mark et al.

Here's a mock-up of a data plate in jpg form.

Note the following.

It really doesn't matter whether steel or aluminum.  It gets painted.
Type font is typical, embossed block.  Anyone who does embossing on metal will have a very small selection, if any selection at all.

The plate measures 3.5 x 1.75, with rounded corners about .0625 radius. Font is 1/4" high.

Corners on the plate are only slightly rounded, much less so than on what is shown.

I can't decode the plate but for a few things; other here know what all the numbers mean.

First line: not a clue
Second line: body color 050, G for Glasurit paint.  Repetition of that is for the hard top.

113 044 12: 113 is the body style, 044 means 280SL, 12 means auto transmission.  My VIN ends in -7262, so the 7 might be the first part of that but the rest isn't there.

Last line, not a clue.

Location of type on the plate in relation to the plate is pretty accurate.

Download Attachment: dataplate.jpg
58.37 KB
Michael Salemi
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2023 Ford Maverick Lariat Hybrid "Area 51"
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2024 Ford Mustang Mach Ex PEV

thelews

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #19 on: June 05, 2008, 08:45:34 »
quote:
Originally posted by mdsalemi

First line: not a clue



I thought the first line is the option codes.  

From our tech manual

Line 1: The more important body-assembly related option codes.

In this example, 426, 491, 503, 515 (DataCard.OptionCodes). Early versions of the Body and Paint Number Plate underhood do not include this line 1.

Line 2: Color code body, paint supplier, color code hardtop and hub caps, paint supplier, hardtop code.

In this example, 906 Glasurit body color, and 904 Glasurit hardtop and hub cap color (Paint codes).

If a W113 was delivered without the optional hardtop, i.e. as Roadster, there were dashes at the location for the color code for the hardtop.

The 6 at the end of this line (the hardtop code) is the last digit of the code entered in code box 41 (here code 416, hardtop mounted, softtop folded). The possible codes are as follows:

- (dash) no hardtop was ordered
4 hardtop packed in separate crate, softtop on car
5 hardtop mounted on car, no softtop (but regular softtop compartment)
6 hardtop mounted on car, softtop folded
7 "California Coupe", hardtop, no softtop, no softtop compartment but rear bench

Line 3: Baumuster (first 8 digits of VIN) and distribution (Sales Market) code.

The distribution codes are described in Country Codes.

Line 4: Produktions-Nr. und Aufbau-Nr. / Production no. and body no.

In this example, the body no. is 84738, and the number 4738 is stamped into the hood, hardtop, softtop and transmission support.

Where the above sample shows a dash at the beginning of line 4, some cars have a 1 digit number or letter, presumably identifying additional body work for certain versions or options.
« Last Edit: June 05, 2008, 09:01:34 by thelews »
Enjoy some pictures at this link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8292359@N06/sets/72157603240571101/show/

John - Wisconsin
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Mark280SL

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #20 on: June 06, 2008, 11:07:43 »
Michael, as always thank you.

John thanks for the info from the tech manual, I had seen that and  came up with what my plate should be EXCEPT for the distribution (sales market code) I must be thick but I can't figure out where on my data card it is listed, does anybody know if it is in box 42?

minus the distribution code for line 3 I need I think mine will look something like this:

551 426 491 503 515

670 H    670 H    6
11304412
    960640   03749


« Last Edit: June 06, 2008, 11:15:27 by Mark280SL »
Mark

TheEngineer

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #21 on: June 06, 2008, 12:48:17 »
First line: 426 = Power Steering/automatic transmission   491= USA version   503=side view mirror,left
Second line: 568 H = Paint code UT/OT Signal red    568 H Hardtop  5=hardtop mounted
Third line: 113044 12 7  Chassis no (Fahrgestell-Nr.)
fourth line: -60506 = Production Nr.            ---86854 = Aufbau-Nr.
All numbers to match Data card
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tired engineer, West-Seattle,WA

Mark280SL

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #22 on: June 06, 2008, 13:47:35 »
Where is the "7" in your third line coming from? is that part of the chassis number on your data card or something else?

quote:
Originally posted by theengineer

First line: 426 = Power Steering/automatic transmission   491= USA version   503=side view mirror,left
Second line: 568 H = Paint code UT/OT Signal red    568 H Hardtop  5=hardtop mounted
Third line: 113044 12 7  Chassis no (Fahrgestell-Nr.)
fourth line: -60506 = Production Nr.            ---86854 = Aufbau-Nr.
All numbers to match Data card

Mark

rwmastel

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Re: Data plate or else!
« Reply #23 on: June 06, 2008, 14:44:12 »
quote:
Originally posted by Mark280SL

Where is the "7" in your third line coming from? is that part of the chassis number on your data card or something else?
Line 3: Baumuster (first 8 digits of VIN) and distribution (Sales Market) code.

The distribution codes are described in Country Codes.
Rodd

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