Author Topic: Service and repair records for 1971 280 SL  (Read 5159 times)

Eric280SL

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Service and repair records for 1971 280 SL
« on: July 05, 2015, 16:04:22 »
 Over 10 years ago in the Northern California Bay Area I sold my relative's original single owner 1971 280 SL 
      VIN 11304412022586 brown exterior, cognac interior, auto, AC, rear window heater. None of the service records were available at that time. I recently  acquired all the car's service and repair records, as well as the original invoice, purchase order and the dealers own service record, starting from the date of original purchase from the dealer and then for the following approximately 30 years!  I have chronologically ordered the material and placed each sheet of paper in an individual plastic protector, then loaded all into 3 ring binders. If the current owner of this car desires this material (free except for postage) , please contact me: ekoscove@hotmail.com  or PO Box 2802 Santa Clara, CA 95055. Please provide proof of ownership, e.g. with current title, insurance card and to verify, name and address of the original owner stamped on metal plate.
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Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: Service and repair records for 1971 280 SL
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2015, 00:07:32 »
Hello Eric,

This is very kind of you to let the owner know. Unfortunately the Vin Number for your former 280 SL is not in our Car Registry. Either the owner is not a Member here or h/she has not entered details in the Car Registry.

Still I think anyone of us not having maintenance documents and someone located them would love to know about it. So I'm thinking, what if a few of us ask our insurance company representatives if they can locate the owner? Don't the insurance companies have access to great data bases to help out? We don't need to know the new owners name, the insurance company can e-mail the owner and provide h/she with the link to your to thread Eric.

Anyone else any thoughts? How can we help reunite the fellow now owning the car with the documents?
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

Garry

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Re: Service and repair records for 1971 280 SL
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2015, 02:51:56 »
A very large number of members do not put their cars on the registerer for a number of reasions and I think I am one who has not put my second Pagoda on the list.

If the owner is a member and if the member is a regular visitor to the Forum, and you have to remember that a majority do not regularly log on here, if they do, then hopefully they will see this. 
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G
2005 MB A200
2006 MB B200
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Eric280SL

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Re: Service and repair records for 1971 280 SL
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2015, 14:51:59 »
The suggestion re contacting the insurance companies is great!  Rather than leave it to chance, can anyone refer me to someone "higher up the food chain" at e.g. Hagerty, etc?  I just don't want to be blocked by someone who is limited in authority or perspective.  Thanks.

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: Service and repair records for 1971 280 SL
« Reply #4 on: July 09, 2015, 17:06:50 »
Eric, what insurance company did you deal with when you owned the car? Why not start there they must still have your record on file. If they don't then do call Hagerty they are a friendly bunch and I am sure they recognize the good deed you are doing in trying to reunite the now owner with those records.
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

Eric280SL

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Re: Service and repair records for 1971 280 SL
« Reply #5 on: July 26, 2015, 02:22:36 »
Initial failure, followed by success due to persistence.

I called Hagerty, spoke with a telephone representative who "spoke with her manager" and she informed me that it wouldn't be possible for them to contact the current owner because they "have no ability to search for vehicles by the VIN"!  I choked back my laughter and thanked her politely for looking into the matter.

The next day I called  Hagerty's corporate headquarters and spoke to the Concierge.  I somehow failed to relay the previous day's conversation.  The Concierge instantly understood the validity and rationale of providing the current owner with the voluminous 30 years of records, including the original window sticker, original invoice, original checks used to pay for the vehicle, registrations, smog checks, service records etc.

He was extremely cordial and helpful.  He volunteered to contact the current owner, if they indeed had Hagerty insurance,  explain the existence of this material, and provide him or her with my contact information, leaving it up to the owner to contact me if desired (maintained customer privacy).

Within one hour, I was called by the current owner (functionally the car's second owner but technically the car's third owner, who purchased it pre-restoration from the person (unknown to me a restorer) that purchased the car from me).

I can't fault the telephone representative and her manager.  They probably never encountered such an unusual request.  I knew that personnel higher in the company's hierarchy would be able to process it more sensibly.

Long story short:  the current owner also lives in Northern California and will meet me this coming week to pick up the heavy binders!  He is more than happy to receive this obviously unexpected surprise. 

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, etc!

Dave H

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Re: Service and repair records for 1971 280 SL
« Reply #6 on: July 26, 2015, 08:09:16 »
What if John Travolta turns up at the door ? whoah !! just kidding....
Mercedes 250SL    1967
Mercedes 250SLK  2014
Alfa Romeo 166 3.2 Ti
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Jonny B

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Re: Service and repair records for 1971 280 SL
« Reply #7 on: July 26, 2015, 16:36:10 »
You get a very big check mark in the "Good Guys with Pagodas" data sheet!!
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor