stamped serial numbers

[Bob G ✝︎]

I am doing some investigative work and wanted to now if anyone can send me a photo of the stamped serial number in the inside edge of the hood. It would also be of help to know what size this stamping from the factory is and in what locations they were put on the W113 chassis.


Bob Geco

[rwmastel]

Bob,
During the 230SL, 250SL, and maybe some 280SL production, there was an ID plate rivited to the firewall, near the windshield, on the right side of the car.  This had the VIN as well as other info.  On most 280SL cars, it will be located on the driver's door frame.  The VIN is also stamped on the right frame rail.  This is hard to see, but it's on the top surface of the frame rail under the Venturi unit (where the big air hose connects to the intake manifold).  Finally, on the left side of the engine bay, between the brake booster and the sub-frame mount, is another ID plate that has some 3-digit option codes as well as the last part of the VIN.

These cars also have engine numbers, transmission numbers, axle numbers, and steering assembly numbers that can be found on the data card and on the assemblies.

Happy Hunting!

Rodd
1966 230SL Euro
1994 E420

[n/a]

A few pictures can't hurt:

You see on the left the ID Rodd mentions with the 3 figs options code, next to the water reservoir for the windshield.
those are placed at the same place on all W113.

Download Attachment: IDplate1.jpg
74.25 KB

This one show an Id plate with VIN number for 230 and 250...
That plate is located in the door panel, on the front part for early 280, on the back part for the later 280sl.


Download Attachment: IDplate230sl.jpg
63.93 KB

our dream engine compartment...


Download Attachment: IDplate280sl.jpg
73.25 KB

also, take some time to browse on the web for pictures available.
On ebaymotors.com, on the very helpfull site of our friend Roy in San Francisco area: oursl.com (who has been of helpfull help in my search)

I hope this helps!!

Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City

[Richard Madison]

I don't think Bob was asking about the VIN number. Bob wants a photo of the body serial number that is stamped on the underside of the hood, top edge, Driver's side...four numbers like 6634, as an example. From memory, I'd estimate they are about 1/2 inch (1 cm) high, maybe a little less.

These same numbers are also stamped on the soft top compartment cover and the trunk (boot)lid.

These aluminum parts were made oversize then custom fitted to a specific car. The stamped numbers allowed matching the custom fitted pieces to the correct car at a later stage of production.
The numbers match part of a number on the Data Card for that specific car.

After saying all that, Bob: I don't have any photos of that number but I'll keep looking.
Richard M

[W14]

Hi Bob,

Here are pics of the Afbau number on my hood and hard-top.
On my data card, "Afbau nummer" box is top line, fourth from left (Box 19?).  The numbers are 10mm tall, and it appears the same dies were used for both the hood and hardtop numbers.  The 4 number set is 30mm wide.  On the hardtop, the numbers are located about 3" to the right (pax side - LH drive) of centre, and the base of the numbers are oriented forward.

Download Attachment: Afbau nmbr hood.JPG
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Download Attachment: Afbau nmbr top.JPG
40.76 KB

Will W14
1965 230SL 4spd
Victoria,BC

[Richard Madison]

Bob:
Will's reply is quite precise. He's not lazy like me, he took the time to go and look at the stamping and measure it. Not sure why you need this info but just want to mention that like many things related to these cars, there were variations during production. While my "aufbau" (thank you, Will) stamping is similar to Will's, it is not exactly the same. My numbers are much thicker. I assume the stamping dies used by different workers and at different times were not the same.

And the I think locations also varied. While there was probably a factory standard of "between X and y cm from tbe top edge" etc, there was likely an "area" rather than a precise point for these stamps to be placed.

Richard M

[n/a]

also, you probably noticed that some cars have 3 numbers stamped while others have 4...not sure why.
visit www.oursl.com , go to "evaluating an sl" and click on the w113 type...more pictures there..