Agree with James on exactly what he says. The "data" card is the paper document from Mercedes listing all the exact options a particular car was delivered with, such as extras, color codes etc.. The Type shield (Typenschild or Typschild) is the one on the firewall (mostly on 230SL's), or as the case may be, the A (as in my 280SL) or B pillars. I believe the wiki page is
not entirely correct with regards to how absolutely it states where which plate was affixed. According to that page my 280 which I have owned for 20 years and had not had any paint work done before I purchased it, would have the Typschild incorrectly placed on the A pillar.The metal embossed tag in front of the windshield wiper motor is the one that mostly gives paint codes..etc. Anyhow, I was thinking you were talking about that one. That one
is painted. The Typschild is black and white and
is not painted.
see wiki page for more explanation, but do remember that there may be some differences on some cars to what it states.
Assuming you are talking about the one above the left wheel, then this is the way it looks (see pic)
second line are paint codes, third line body style (113) and model ( 044) left hand drive (1) and automatic (2) etc.
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/BodyandPaintNumberPlateSorry if I am adding to the confusion.
see attached pic. This is most definitely the way a 280 SL from 1968 looked. And yes, I know the thermal time switch relay is missing in this pic.