One should note that for authenticity, the data plates are not stamped, but they are embossed. Big difference in look, and one is correct and the other is not. Embossing takes a special machine. The top photo is the end result and that is on my car. Note some of the "variable data" is part of the plate's manufacture. The true variable data, the VIN, is embossed. On the incorrect version, much of the data is left out and most of it is stamped in. Not correct if authenticity is what you are after.
I went through this exercise some years back and ended up with "incorrect" as well as a "correct" data plates. Took months to explain to the multiple parties involved, sort it out and find an embosser but as you can see, I did. The embosser was the company that makes the "dog tag" machines for the US Military.
All this to get it right...but I probably have some hose clamps that are not correct! LOL
There is more than "stamping" vs "embossing" to consider when the goal is to have a correct and authentic-looking VIN plate, especially for an early (1968-1969) US version 280SL. As long as the original plate is available then the task is relatively easy since a correct template is available. When the plate is lost as in Mike's case then the task becomes more tricky.
When M-B introduced the 280SL in the USA for reasons unknown it decided to include the number of seats on the VIN plate as shown on the plate in my 1964 280SL. The Pagoda became a 3-seater!! On European cars the VIN plate did not change and did not show this, thus the discussion here applies
only to US version 280SL.
It took about a year before M-B realized what they did and the VIN plate changed to indicate that a US 280SL is still a 2-seater roadster. Some time ago I together with Brian Peters at MotoringInvestmens and Memmo looked at a significant number of VIN plates to see when the change happened.
The lowest VIN number with a 3-seater 280SL plate that we found was on 113-044-12-005669 and the earliest VIN number with a 2-seater 280SL was on one of Memmo's customers 044-10-0068XX.
Also note that in addition to the seat capacity change there is also now an asterisk (*) after the VIN number.
Starting with VIN 113-044-12-015495 the VIN plate was redesigned again, it now includes the year of manufacture and the 2-seat capacity is in the bottom row.
The good news is that if you need a new VIN plate for your US version 280SL Memmo has the correct templates and also the correct embossing machine.
It would be nice if owners of US 280SL cars with VIN numbers between 005669 and 0068XX would chime in here and post a photo, perhaps we can further narrow down the change over.
