Body plate

[Jonny B]

A good friend of mine is doing a 113 restoration, and needs to replace a lost data plate, the one by the hood latch. This is the one with option codes, paint codes, etc. A question that was raised - since the original is long lost, what option numbers would be at the top of the plate. I believe most of the time, there are four of the three digit codes listed across the first line. I looked at the plate in my 280 SL and at the data card. I am at a loss to figure out why MB picked the codes they did from the multiple ones listed on the data card.

Any insights?? One comment from a quite knowledgeable source, was that they picked the codes that had the most material impact on the car set-up. Not exactly sure what that means either, but.......

[mbzse]

.../... they picked the codes that had the most material impact on the car set-up.../..

The option codes (SA) stamped into the body plate of a M-B were the ones useful (needed) for the production line to assemble and equip the car;
i.e. to indicate to the staff that special add ons were to be fitted or specific equipment or tools on the production line was needed.

I think we should make a list of the SA that were stamped on the top row of the body plates of our SL cars, to put in our tech manual :-)

My initial contribution (taken from various body plate photos in my collection):

236
249
426
493
503
508
513
515
516
531
992


The country version SA's go onto the plate as well.
That is a long (separate) list of course:
491 (version for USA)
617 (version for Italy)
622 (version for UK)
624 (version for Sweden)
etc.
https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/OptionCodes

[Jordan]

The only option code on my body plate is 279 (mechanical antenna).

[Tyler S]

It seems like any option that required shell modification (holes or fitment) early on in the production was put on the body plate. Like antennas for radios, outside mirrors, power steering, US version for adding the little clips for the headlight doors, soft and hardtop fitment. etc.

[Jordan]

I have the power steering option code on my data card but not on the body plate.  Maybe people can list what codes are on their body plates and we can make a list in the tech manual.

[Jonny B]

I figure since I started this thread, I can also provide the information from the data plate on my 280 SL:

The top of the data plate has
426 Combination of automatic transmission and power steering
491 (USA Version)
503 Outside rear view mirror, left side
515 Becker Europa radio (only for USA)

Along with the above option codes, these are the other options on the data card:
243 ?
401 - Single seats
416 - Hard top mounted
440 - Bumper guards
461- Miles vs km
524 - Paint preservation
598 - Tinted glass
641 - WW tires, one piece hubcap
669 - Shipping protection
744 - Soft top color?

[Jonny B]

I have a copy of a German publication, W113 Technik and Codenummern, and there is a section in there about the code plates. They have an illustration of a data plate from a USA car and it has six code numbers on the plate!

It is a California car, and has special code 818 requiring an emissions test.
Four of the other codes are the same as the ones I have on my 280 SL, plus code 249, electrically heated back window in the hard-top.

I asked my good friend Martijn to read through it to see if it has any further insights. One paragraph I was able to rough translate with Google, indicated in the vein that has been listed. The codes would be there to denote items that would require modifications/holes/etc. that would need to be done along the way.

[Shvegel]

I am with Tyler.  According to your own data plate it would appear that any codes that are before paint are on the plate.  Not sure of any shell mods before Power steering/ Auto trans but the rest make sense.  Antenna hole, No Radio delete plate needs to be painted, Side mirror holes and the proper side marker lamp holes for US market.

[neelyrc]

Along with the above option codes, these are the other options on the data card:
243 ?

Jon, from the link in the Technical Manual to the web site which lists additional more obscure codes I found, "243 - elimination of battery 1/1/64 - 31/8/71."  Does this make any sense?

A photo of my body plate is attached.  Note that it includes 5 option codes on the first line:

491  USA version
503  Outside rear view mirror, left hand side
519  Becker Grand Prix Radio
531  Automatic antenna w/radio
602  Mounting for customs license plate (from the obscure code list mentioned above)

The description in the supplemental list for option code 602 makes sense as I took delivery at the factory with Zoll plates.

Comments welcome!

[pj]

My 230SL doesn't have a top row of digits at all, and the letters that normally indicate the paint type are also missing.

I don't know if my body & paint plate has survived the restoration of the metal. The gentleman in Germany (topic=23916) who offers to make them sent me a very polite email, but I am actively looking for a less expensive possibility.

Just in case any new members read this post, the topic is also covered in the technical manual at www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/BodyandPaintNumberPlate

[guyke]

also the same here , not mutch on the plate on the early 230

[66andBlue]

My 230SL doesn't have a top row of digits at all, and the letters that normally indicate the paint type are also missing. ...

The paint type letters were stamped from the front and not  from the back like the other letters and therefore are difficult to see on old plates. I believe yours shows the remnants of a G also, just like guyke's.

[pj]

Hi Alfred,
that's extremely interesting. I see the "ghost" of the letter G better in guyke's photo, but I looked at the full-rez version of my photos of the body & paint plate before the sand blasting started, and by golly there are "ghost" letters there, too! You think this effect existed only on early models? These "ghost" letters are not mentioned in the Tech Manual -- could we add a sentence there for folks to find?

I think the result is that I should aim at recreating the reverse stamping on the paint manufacturer's letters. Do others make the effort?

[66andBlue]

Hi Peter,
I ordered a new paint plate for my 1964 230SL from Memmo and will shoot a photo soon for the technical manual to show that the "G" or "H" was stamped from the front on these early plates. Haven't found a date when this process was stopped and the paint manufacturer code was also stamped from the back.
IMO, his price for the new plate is justified considering that both lettering types are exact matches of the original. The letter stamping machine is quite an investment.
"Do others make the effort?"
There is only one other source for these plates that I have seen but you better sit down before you read the asking price:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-Data-Plate-Reproduction-113-111-280-SL-280-SE-280-SE-3-5-etc-/262804383042
In addition to the ridiculous price the letter type is not correct, spacing is off and other flaws.

[Jowe]

Here is my plate (original) as another example.

[guyke]

spooky all those  ghost plates   

[hkollan]

Hi,

I also noticed  the complaint about Memmo's price for the plates.
Having received a number of plates from him I can only say they are perfect in every possible way.

Worth every cent as I see it.

Hans

[perry113]

Do yourself a big favor and do not ponder any further

I would contact Mehmet. The man is a saint.

With your data card he can reconstruct your data plate.

Absolutely perfect and reasonable. Around 70 euros

Anyone who thinks that 70 euros is too much for a plate needs to have their head examined. 

His email is

info@pagode-markt.de

His website is

http://www.pagode-markt.de/

[mbzse]

.../...1964 230SL ../... to show that the "G" or "H" was stamped from the front on these early plates.../...

I submit an example of the "G and/or H ghost stamps" on an original summer 1964 230 SL (two "G" in this instance).

I find it interesting also that at this time, the Pagoda body plates were not painted body colour, as they were later on during W113 production run
/Hans S

[Scottcorvette]

Mine is June 1964 and there is clearly maroon paint on this one.....