want to run a vin# on a 1971 280SL

[Bob G ✝︎]

Who do I contact if I want to run a vin number from a 1971 280SL.
I want to get some history on this car.

Thank You
Bob Geco

[Douglas]

Bob,

That's going to be difficult. We don't have a very large database of owners on this site yet, but in a few years this might be a good resource for people looking for that exact kind of info.

For now though, you may be able to consult the Department of Motor Vehicles for the state where the car is registered. Rules differ by state, but many will give you the trail of owners going back a few years.

Douglas Kim
New York
USA

[Vince Canepa]

I would suggest that we refer to our cars ID as the Chassis Number, as opposed to VIN.  VIN is a term that came in the 1980's as an effort to standardize chassis numbering between the many manufacturers.  It requires a specific format.  It did not exist at the time the 113 was being built.  Much confusion comes when folks try to use the Chassis Number as a VIN.  CARFAX, insurance companies and various others run into problems when they try to plug in the 14-digit Chassis Number where a 17-digit VIN is required.

Vince Canepa
1967 250SL
113.043-10-001543
568H Signal Red
116 Caviar MB-Tex

[Ed Cave]

Vince makes a good point. My former '64 Porsche 356 had a 6 digit number and the DMV required me to drive the car to a police precinct and have them fill out a form to prove the "VIN" was only 6 digits. Their computer system couldn't deal with a number this small. You would have thought I had the only old car in Georgia.

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA


1971 280SL
1973 911S
2004 A4 3.0
2006 GS430

[J. Huber]

I agree that Chassis Number is the preferred ID but as long as the DMV is involved (as well as insurance, mechanical invoices, etc), we gotta live with it as the VIN as well.

Here's another example of VIN confusion: on my car, the paint codes & build number plate are on the driver's A-piller door jamb. On more than one occasion, people looking for the VIN, open the door and use that number. Funny thing is it's darn close! Chassis 000871, Build number 00881. I think I even have an old DMV registration with these mixed up.

James
63 230SL

[Raymond]

When I bought my car, the State of Washington had the "VIN" number on the title as 280SL000176.



Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe