Vin 113044-10-012502

[Zazozazo]

Hello all
I am interested in buying car with Vin 113044-10-012502
I need confirmation in which country this car was first registered and also body and hard top original colours together with upholstery and soft top colours.
It is a 280 SL with manual gearbox and many items of the 230 sl model , namely the door cards and the rear lights.
I wish to know if this is correct
it is a nut and bolt fully restored car.
Thank you

[stickandrudderman]

You'll need to buy a data card from your dealer (€150) and then join here as a member so you can decipher it.
Or, for a fee, I'll do it. 

[Pawel66]

Hi!

You cannot tell the information you are looking for from the VIN number. All that VIN is telling is that your car is 280SL, LHD, manual transmission. I can add that mid-range sequential number 012502 may indicate 1969, second half.

The answers to the questions you are asking are part of the Datacard and also Paint Code Plate that is located in the car on the lateral chassis member, left side, next to relay bracket, screwed to the body by two screws, body color.

Datacard can be obtained from the dealers or from the Classic Center based upon proof of ownership. It costs ca $150.

Decoding information for the Datacard and for the paint Code Plate is part of Technical Manual on this site, you need to be a Member to access it.

I would like to encourage you to become a Full Member here - it is a small investment, but will give you access to all information needed and all expertise needed for an owner of a Pagoda. I think you will have a lot more questions about the car - all info on originality, how particular parts and assemblies should look like etc. - you will find there.

[kampala]

If one googles the VIN lots of photos are available of the car.  The data plate does not seem to be shown. Some elements look like a USA car ( headlight switch plate, defrost sign on heater levers). Carpet looks like square weave so this might be what you meant by 230 elements.  If this was a USA car, they have changed door pockets added a VIN plate in the engine compartment, headlights, etc.  — common changes to make it European

Hard door pockets are not only 230 as euro cars kept hard pockets even for later cars- if this was a USA car, then pockets have been changed to euro.

Without a data card and without seeing the data plate, no one can be certain. 

[Zazozazo]

Thank you to all

[alpina]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee3Dvmf79AQ

[Pawel66]

Nice car! I do not suppose she would win a concourse, I think too many "non-conformities", but a nice one.

And: shock absorbers caps upside down!

[lreppond]

I would agree that it’s a nice restoration with a few aspects keeping it from being historically correct.  That said, the paint, soft top and interior color choices are unique and I think work exceptionally well.  Some of the most beautiful hubcaps I’ve ever seen!
The one puzzling aspect, and so easily rectified, is the lack of chrome exhaust tips.

Certainly, at the price that the seller has it listed for, it should come with its data card! As a potential buyer, I would definitely request that be provided. 

[Pawel66]

I would take a closer look...

Upholstery on soft top compartment lid (whatever this material is), carpet on the left hand side of the tunnel...

But again - looks great! I wonder if it is original upholstery/paint combination.

[GM]

Wrong (chrome) rear view mirror (August 1967 change?)

[bogeyman]

Green 280SL interior would originally have green multi loop carpet.

[Zazozazo]

Wow thank you all , there are some high level connoisseurs here ;-)

[Pawel66]

Wrong (chrome) rear view mirror (August 1967 change?)

Yes, Euro car by looks but with defrost label, wrong paint job behind grille, strange colors of the PS reservoir and coolant lines (maybe light), etc.

Clearly the restorer was not a Full Member here! If they were, they would finish the car better.

Normally - no big deal. For concourse winning - I am not sure...

Nice car!

[Shvegel]

It's a nice car but if you want it to be what they say it is plan on spending some money correcting the errors.  There are quite a few things that are the wrong finish that in total might take about a week to sort out.  For you own comfort you should verify the paint color and interior color.  By far the most important thing on our cars is the condition of the body shell.  Never buy a car without having an expert in these cars look it over.

[Zazozazo]

Thank you

[SEB]

This car makes a quite nice impression. I think the colour is more the 467H Sandy Beige, than the 462H Tunis Beige?
In the engine compartment I noticed some few additional things- missing the black plastic pads above the shock absorbers, or the colour of the coolant tank.
And the last thing what we do not know is the engine? Is original? Or an M130 limousine replacement?
But if the engine is still original all this are minor mistakes in my opinion. Like it was said before it takes few days to fix it.

So as usuall all is about the price?  I could not find any information about the price. If you need some price information from the German market as indication please let me know.

[Pawel66]

I do not think these pads you mentioned were used on 280SL...

Yes, i also noticed the colors of some of the parts under hood is strange. Thought it was the type of light there during shooting...

[Zazozazo]

Asking price is €159K

[SEB]

It looks that, the price is also on the concourse level. As already was here said before for this price, they have to show you also the Data Card. Please ask them also for engine number and for sure we can help you to read this data.

BTW you can get on German market similar frame off restored 280SL Pagodas for much reasonable prices.

[Shvegel]

There is a guy in Bosnia that does beautiful cars for around that as well.  He is on Facebook.  Safet Krupic:   https://www.facebook.com/safet.krupic I believe his cover car is for sale right now.

[Zazozazo]

Thank you for this.
I will be armed with all this information before I make contact with the seller.

[Pawel66]

You are talking about spending considerable amount of money here. I would make sure a proper pre-purchase inspection is done. Yes, it costs money, but...

There are about 10k things to be checked there. By someone knowledgeable and familiar with this type of car.

[Zazozazo]

Thank you Pawel. This will be done but it does not mean that I should not come here first and get as much insight from knowledgeable people like you ;-)

[thelews]

Some of the members here get hung up on factory correctness.  That is one type of 113 enthusiast (I'm one). 

But, the 113 also lends itself (like the 190 SL) to some exquisite, personalized restorations.  I've noticed the European restorers work with far more latitude in their finishes, mostly to add bling to the engine bay.  The 113 is a great looking, very drivable and reliable (when properly restored and sorted) vintage car to be enjoyed by purists and those that just love the car for whatever reason.  It will never be a classic, losing points in a collection for not being 100% factory correct.

While some members refer to Concours restoration, but not factory correct, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm not aware of any 113 specific Concours judging.  I know there's MBCA judging, but I'm not sure those guys know all the ins and outs of the 113.  I don't think THIS club has a Concours judging where the knowledge of members here would really certify correctness of a restoration.

All that said, the car looks beautiful and if it rings your bell, it'd be hard to go wrong.  Biggest issue, is it just a pretty car?  Too many are gorgeous but don't run or drive worth a ****.

[Zazozazo]

Very good point Seb ( about the engine )
There is a mark on the engine 280 SE\A . I
Is this a 280 SL engine