1970 or 1971 Model

[Cees Klumper]

That letter is not at all clear. For example, it says "during that period" without specifying the period this is referring to.
Even more confusing (to me at least) is that then the letter says that cars sold "during that period" will carry the Registration Year designation of 1964" which would suggest that the car was registered in 1964 even when it was in fact registered in 1963. And what I think Mercedes meant was that they would mimic the US practice of having the 'model year' be earlier than the calendar year. I think even a Chevy that was sold and registered in October 1963 would be 'called' a 1964 Chevy but its registration year would be noted as 1963, not 1964.
Why oh why.   

[49er]

Here's my 2 cents....My car was ordered May 12 1968 was built in July 68, put on a boat and arrived in Long Beach CA in early September. When I took delivery on Sept 18, It was registered here in California as a 69 model as it still is today. Since it was really a "68" car, it did not have the mandatory headrests as were required for later '69 models so on the window sticker there was a credit of $71 for "Omission of Head Rest Restraint". The dealer told me it was the first 69 280SL registered in CA (I'm not really sure, but that is what he told me) and to me, that is what it is, a "1969 280SL"

John