Need Help Decoding VIN

[fastsvo]

Hi Guys,

I just got a 1963 230 SL and need help decoding this VIN.

The Numbers I have are:

113042 (I believe I am missing more numbers here)

Chassis # 10-012002

Numbers from the tag inside the driver's side engine compartment....

717 G 717 G 6
113042 10 7
6  00344  03299


Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Eric

[J. Huber]

Hi Eric. Let me be the first to welcome you to the group!

I encourage you to: 1. Try and obtain your car's "data card" because it will give you all kinds of info about your specific car. 2. I would take a look at the group's Technical Manual (link on opening page) because it too has a lot of valuable stuff...

Now -- looking at your info -- I am inclined to think your car is not a 1963 but a 1965. It is a manual. And it should be a shade of white known as papyrusweiss. The hard top should also be white.

Others will chime in I hope...



James
63 230SL

[Richard Madison]

If the VIN number is 113042 10 012002 then the car was produced about July 1965...you might want to check the last numbers again...if the VIN actually ends in 001202, then the car was from about November '63.

As James points out, the Tech Manual has lots of info on the codes.

Contact the MB Classic Center. They can fax the Data Card to you in minutes.

Richard M, NYC

[fastsvo]

Hey guys,

I snapped some pics of these numbers.

I am still a little confused about which exact 17 digits I need to submit to the DMV as my official "VIN"?

Thanks in advance,

Eric

[JamesL]

Eric

Not sure where you are but I got a data card from Germany. They wanted the full VIN 113 042... and proof that i owned the car - I guess to stop copies etc

They then offered to sell me a certificate style datacard. Some people get them but the essential info will all be on the actual data - or build - card, which they currently supply free.

To check you have a "matching numbers" car, you will need to cross reference:

 the engine number on the data card with the number stamped on your cylinder block (just below pugs 5/6, left hand side of the engine)

 the details on the drivers tag you also photographed/transcribed.

You can also use the card to "decode" what MB built (as James has done below) which will allow you to see what left the factory, and whether you still have it... has someone changed the body colour, interior to tex or similar.

Useful thing to have

Over here at least, the 113042... number is the VIN and our "DMV" (DVLA) have that, along with the body colour. Both are shown on the "V5": our "ownership" document. That's it. Not sure about the US though

James Lester
RHD 280 in DB906 with cognac leather

[Naj ✝︎]

have a look at this link for explanation on your body plate:

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=DataCard.BodyandPaintNumberPlate

naj

68 280SL

[Richard Madison]

These cars are from before the standard 17 digit US VIN system was started. Every state DMV can accommodate the shorter VIN of an older car.

The DMV will use 11304210012002

As you may know: "113" is for a so called Pagoda chassis car (230SL, 250SL, and 280SL all start VIN's with "113"); the "042" means 230SL; the "10" means it is a left hand drive, manual transmission car; the sequence number 012002 shows it was the 12,002 230SL built. This car was produced about July 1965. The car was likely titled as a 1965 or possibly a 1966. Can't understand how it could be titled as a 1963.

The Data Card has a lot more information than the car plate. You should send for the Data Card. Because your forum Membership Profile has no location info, we can't be specific about how to get a Data Card since we don't know where you are.

Richard M, NYC

[J. Huber]

Another clue that it is probably a 65 is the fact that the paint code plate is in engine bay. The earliest cars had them on the door jamb.

Eric -- despite this possible identity crisis, any year 230SL is great. Look forward to hearing more about the car.

And, to be less subtle than others, where abouts are you located? As a general rule for any new members -- I think its really helpful to include this kind of info in your profile (so as to be included in potential gatherings or just to know who is close-by for assistance.)

James
63 230SL