Why Am I Seeing This?

[JoeTroise]

As an appraiser, I have noticed on more than one occasion that some pagodas show a "10" in the VIN but are in fact, automatics. The database here suggests that an automatic car should have a "12" in the VIN.

I have heard mention that a Euro-spec car can carry the "10" in the VIN and yet be an automatic, whereas U.S. cars would show the "12".

Any comments on this?   Thank you!

[Benz Dr.]

MB wouldn't make a mistake like that. I'd say it's safe to assume that someone changed the transmission.

[JoeTroise]

So one would think, but why on so many SLs over the past few years? It kinda doesn't make sense that we'd be seeing so many switched transmissions, especially since the manual trans cars are worth more.

Thanks for your reply.

[kampala]

Did it occur to you that maybe the trans was not changed but the VIN was from another car?

[JoeTroise]

Yes that did occur to me, but here again--so many times? The VIN plates don't "look" molested, and other panels, like the hood, match the VIN #s. (body number)  But yes, many SLs have had distressed past lives, and most of the SLs I appraise are not original cars anymore. I've seen them from magnificent to horrifying.
 

[66andBlue]

... but why on so many SLs over the past few years? ....

How many is "many"? 5 per 10 years, or 100 per 10 years?

[kampala]

The VIN plates don't "look" molested, and other panels, like the hood, match the VIN #s. 

The hood number and other panel numbers on the vehicle never match the VIN.   Body numbers are not connected to VIN.


This said, I have heard of couple of cars that have been converted to Auto - even though Manuals might be worth more recently, many many years ago, autos were preferred more.

[JoeTroise]

Well for the year 2019 I inspected  5 280SLs, and 2 of them had this VIN anomaly. The other 3 were manuals and had the correct sequence "O".  So all 5 had "O" in other words.   I haven't checked my files going back further, but I'm sure I recall a few others.

[JoeTroise]

Yes, that's right, body number.  I suppose the transmission swap is the most plausible explanation.

Here's an example of one I just looked at last week. This is an automatic:

[JoeTroise]

Here's another from a few months ago, also an automatic car:

[MikeSimon]

I want to say the plate was replaced, because it was not "affixed" with Philips screws, but riveted.

[kampala]

Mike,

the plate with the "screws" appears to be a Euro model - since the plate is on the firewall - and these typically had screws.  The USA models with VIN plates  in door jams had rivets. 

[Tyler S]

Joe,
Do you also compare the VIN plate # to the VIN # stamped in the right front frame rail below the intake pipe?

[JoeTroise]

No, but I will next time. I just wasn't on guard for VIN plate switching until these multiple examples started popping up.  This always seems to happen with certain "classics"---once the value becomes substantial, all kinds of monkey-business begins. I've seen Porsche 356s that were actually two cars welded together, so your suggestion is not improbable.  The one possible "Euro" car noted was rather butchered, that's for sure.