1962 order date?

[Brandini]

I am hoping to get some clarification from the experts. Is it possible that Mercedes made a mistake on my data card? The first number is a "2" which suggests the car was ordered in 1962. My car is a 1964 230SL.

I'm in the process of ordering a new paint plate and this was pointed out to me. Thanks in advance for the help.

[BobH]

Hello Brandon, one of your earlier posts shows that your VIN is 5525, if that's correct, it was built in July 1964, so the first digit of the order number should likely be a 4, or possibly even a 3, so it looks like a mistake on your data card.  Not sure without any other original sales docs how you can prove the actual order date

[Brandini]

Hello Brandon, one of your earlier posts shows that your VIN is 5525, if that's correct, it was built in July 1964, so the first digit of the order number should likely be a 4, or possibly even a 3, so it looks like a mistake on your data card.  Not sure without any other original sales docs how you can prove the actual order date

Thank you Bob for your response. I did ask this question a while ago but never confirmed if it was a mistake or not. Thank you for confirming. Something didn't seem right.

[zoegrlh]

I am willing to guess that your SL was ordered in 1962 before production started. I will assume that the “new” replacement to the 190SL could be ordered prior to production. The MB dealers, who are owned by MB (not private ownership as in United States) would have known about the new production on the 230SL and could get their order in early. Or a wealthy German wanted the first example of the new Pagoda. In any case I would place my bet on the “2” digit is no mistake, knowing how articulate MB was. I went to Germany back when I was looking for a part that was no where to be found here in the states, I traveled to Germany and found the part at the Classic Center there. At the time the parts guy printed me a page from the MB archives that had my Pagoda production information on it. This was not the data card (see attachment).  It might help to contact them to see if the order date is in their archives. Your data card shows that the SL was ordered from MB Duisburg, West Germany. Now in conclusion, the 230SL was shown to the public at Geneva Auto Show on March 14, 1963, with 190SL production stopping in February 1963.  It is very conceivable that in late ((November/December) the order was summited to factory. But for some reason the dealer did not get delivery until August 1964. Stop and think, great demand for the this new SL meant orders could have been behind schedule.  Just my two cents.

[Pawel66]

I have no idea if it is a mistake, but I could imagine long lead time to fulfill it for the reasons mentioned below and for many other reasons too - pre orders that were too much and deliveries of some of the cars delayed, ordering some color combination that was not ready available...

Would be good to look at delivery and order dates of some more early cars and see if there are patterns.

But the best would be to obtain this document.

[MikeSimon]

I traveled to Germany and found the part at the Classic Center there. At the time the parts guy printed me a page from the MB archives that had my Pagoda production information on it. This was not the data card (see attachment).   

Robert, your picture shows the inside vehicle data page of the original German title as issued by the manufacturer. It lists major info on the car, VIN, engine serial, etc. I have the original German title for my 280SL