Is my 280sl a 1969 or 1968 ?

[JChristo]

Gentlemen can anyone shed some light on whether my pagoda is a 68 or 69. The data card has Dec 1968 on the build date and then it was shipped to Australia in 1969 date unsure. I'm trying to rebuild book work ie owners manual,catalogue etc and unsure if I should buy 68 or 69. I have a service booklet that is brand new in original condition with service stamps untouched.
I've attached data card,picture and vin number

Thank you

[Jonny B]

Model year is not something that MB really dealt with, it was registration year. You have the data card which indicates the build (and you can see the full list in the technical manual). The build year is what would determine the parts book information.
I would recommend you amend the photo of the data card to cover the key codes (boxes 16,17,18).

[Tyler S]

If it was built in 68 it is a very late 1968 model. Unlike domestics, the build date is the model year. A dealer may have called it a 69 because thats when it was delivered to them but technically its a 68

[JChristo]

Jonno I'm not too sure I follow when you say to amend photo of the data card re boxes 16,17,18
On the version 3 data card these refer to lock codes on doors.glove box ignition and trunk.
Build date is Dec 68
First Registration here in Australia is dated feb 1969
Would all the manuals and bookwork that came with the car upon first purchase read 68 or 69

I'm looking at buying owners manual and have just found they are dated.
Do I buy 68 or a 69  owners manual.

Thanks for taking the time to respond

Jimmy

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hi Jchristo,

If you read up in our Technical Manual ....

Here ---> http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/USModelYear#ModelYear

Once the link opens, read what you see then scroll to the top.

It explains the situation clearly.

My 280SL was also manufactured and rolled off the assembly line in Dec. 1968 and was registered in Florida as a !969 Model Year in January 1969 (based on the US way cars are registered). So in Germany it will be seen as a 1968 Model Year and in the US as a 1969 Model Year.

To your question on the Manual, look for a 1968 and by all means celebrate her 50 st birthday in December 2018 like I plan to (touch wood)

Dieter

[Tyler S]

Jimmy, what Jonny means is you should cover up the keycodes on your photo of your data card. Being this is an open forum, your keycodes are visible to the entire world. Not a good thing.

[JChristo]

Right you are. Yes I didn't think of that. Will take down
Yes thank you for your response that makes sense
She's technically a 68 really but a 69 in Australia

Thanks again

Jimmy

[mbpaul]

There may have been differences in Australia and maybe with later 113s but I can tell you about my 1966 230SL, USA version.  It was built at the end of 1965 and I bought it new in February, 1966.  It is registered as a 1966.  In those times, as the year came to a close, the USA dealers sent the vin of the cars in stock and Mercedes sent them new paperwork so that the could be registered as the next year's model.  Cannot be done now but it could be done then.

As far as owner's manual, I have the owner's manual as delivered for my car.  There is no year on it.  It just says "230SL Owner's Manual".  Everything is in 5 languages, German, English, Swedish, Danish and Dutch or at least that is what I think the last 3 languages are.

The translations to English are sometimes interesting but, for the most part, the manual is pretty good.  My favorite sentence in the owner's manual  is in the coolants section which says "Use clean water with a low calcium content or well filtered river water.".  I lived South Australia for a time with our water supplied from the Murray River.  I am not sure you could ever filter Murray River water enough to be used in a car!

[waltklatt]

I had a 280SL #618 that was called a 1968.
After June 30/July 1st, all cars are labeled the next year.
Standard practice here in the US, Europe tends to list the birth date (Date and Month).

Interesting tag for the seatbelt installation conforming to the AU region, directly under the Vin plate.
Does look like he firewall pad is also cut out to make space for it and the same type of screws holding it as the Vin plate.

Learned something new here.

Thanks

[JChristo]

Waltklatt
Thanks for responding. Its amazing to hear everyone's information and stories they have been really helpful. Most importantly I have learnt so much about my car before I have even driven it.
I purchased it about a month ago. It's currently getting a roadworthy here in Melbourne by a well respected pagoda specialist. I told him to be thorough as I want the first drive to be a lifetime experience.
We've reconditioned petrol tank, new fuel pump,new radiator pump and hoses,engine tuned,oil change, brakes all redone,and flushed brake lines. I'm getting too excited now and and looking at parts every night !!!
I'm trying to rebuild my 280's history so I can understand what paperwork should go with the car just in case I go down the path of show car quality which I can see myself doing.

Thanks for your tips. This forum continues to excite me and give me knowledge. I've met so many people and learnt so much I'm proud to be part of a passionate group of gentlemen driven by respect and enjoyment of this beautiful masterpiece of motoring.

Thank you

[JChristo]

MBPaul
Thank you for your response. Yes it is pretty amusing translation. I will find out a little more as I'm hoping the original owner gets back to me re finding the original paperwork and books. Nevertheless I will find out anyway as it intrigues me and I need to know.

I have an unused service booklet in mint condition and just tracking down owners manual, catalogue and any other paraphernalia to add to the collection.

Jimmy

[MikeL43]

I bought my 1967 SL from the estate of the original owner who purchased it in Missouri in January of 1968.  The VIN ends in 5167 which, from what I have found on the forum indicates it was 29th from the last 250 built in 1967.  The car was titled and registered as a 1968 car so I'm stuck with a confusing title.  I recently got a tag from the DMV reading 250SL 67.  The lady asked me why I wanted a tag that said 1967 when the car was a 1968, thus the explanation listed by others in regard to this subject that in Missouri and perhaps the whole US that cars from that era were titled for the year in which it was purchased.  Makes me wonder if some of those zillion dollar cars that are sold at various auctions on TV that were so valuable that they were never licensed would come out as say a 2016 Tucker.  Just askin.

[su8pack1]

My 1969 280SL shows a build date of July 1968, 13 vehicles before headrests were required on cars sold in the USA, optional for other regions.

[PIP1947]

Hi Jimmy
My RHD Pagoda is a very early 280SL (VIN  ...... 000210), almost certainly manufactured, in large part, during December 1967.  (It has a 250SL engine oil dpstick and tail light lenses - regardless, I think all 280SL's are, in theory at least, characterised 1968 or later). The important date for the model year is the one stamped on the data card. In my case, that date is 10 January 1968, the date it left the factory. This stamp defines the car a '68 model, regardless of when it was made or first registered.

hope you enjoyed that first drive. Here in central Sydney one has few opportunities for satisfying drives. Fortunately, the 280SL is quite happy in heavy traffic.

Pip 1947

[JChristo]

Yes nicely put. Mine is stamped Dezember 1968
I'm sure it took 6months to get here though.
Owners manual shows 1969 but came with a 68 catalogue for parts
All registration papers show 1969 and hence the question.
Hopefully will get to meet you at one stage as I'd love to see your pagoda.

I waited 2 months from the day I bought her for the first drive. It was unbelievably exciting and a drive of victory as it took almost a year and a half of searching.

I had 4 days of driving and had to get it towed back to rheinhards workshop. Hopefully it's only minor but as I've learnt with these cars it's like owning a Porsche for mechanics and restorers so don't like my chances.

All the best

JC

[Pagoda_84]

I'm in Australia and also recently bought a 68 280sl..  post up a picture when you can! Keen to check it out.

[JChristo]

Here she is. 
It needs a little TLC otherwise it's a good example. Will eventually introduce a new interior and respray otherwise I'm pretty happy. Purchase price $85k with $12k spent to get it re commissioned and to pass roadworthy.
I'm not liking its current color but it's slowly growing on me.
It's originally 180g silver so that's what I'm pretty excited about as it was the color I was hoping for.
It's registered as a 1969 280 Sl. It's my birth year and the color I've always loved.
I already have a 1984 380 Sl (silver on black)in the garage which will be a perfect sibling

Yes send me through a couple of pics of yours would love to see.

Regards

JC

[Pagoda_84]

I like the colour. Also 85k is a good price for an Aus delivered SL. I paid quite a bit more for mine (well over 100). I didnt need to spend anything on it though. At some stage I will repaint it as a few things are not perfect but it's a great car.. and it's a manual 3 seater which is what I really wanted.

[JChristo]

Did you buy this car from Perth ?
I remember seeing this for sale a gentleman by the name of Barry by memory.
I think he had it advertised for around $150k it was stunning.
Congratulations  I love the color combo

[Garry]

Jimmy,

dust off the Pagoda for the 28th August, See Events listing...

Garry

[Pagoda_84]

Yes mate, thats the car. I bought it from Barry.

I love it! I love yours! I love all of them!

[RobSirg]

Colour looks like my Project car which I love - 542G Dark red (Dunkelrot)

Its in pieces for now as I'm still getting the body sorted - I will post some photo's soon as we are (finally) getting somewhere. Engine is now perfect.

I plan on keeping her in her birth colours (only change will be going with a white steering wheel this time as my Blue car has a black one).

My good friend has a mint condition Silver one - we can line them up side by side one day so you can decide your preference.

Photo below is as I bought it - looks good but was a rust bucket basically (the P.O had it resprayed in a similar colour that was metallic).

[JChristo]

Rob there's a meet on the 28th August as I've been told by Garry
Would love to see you there if you can make it with your car
Can't wait I'm excited as it will be the first meet with my pagoda

See you then Rob

Jimmy