Strange VIN number on 250SL

[alpina]

Hi All,

I am currently in the process of looking to purchase a 250SL. (I have yet to see the car, I only have pictures send by the owner) The owner has also sent me a carfax report showing the some history of the car which shows the VIN number as 11343 10 000068 making it and very early 250SL and the car also shows the deatils of being and early 250sl. However as the car is some way from me, I contacted a Classic Mercedes specialist (they source and sell / restore classic mercedes).
with with intention of having them inspect the car. After sending them the photos, he came back to me saying that they know of the car and that there are problems with it, mainly concerning its identity. He suggested it was a 230. He has send me a photo of a VIN plate he says is on the car. (i have attached this below) Not only is this not the one shown on the carfax report, it also appears to be strange in that it the the prefix No 113042 of a 230sl and yet stamped next to the VIN 250SL. all a bit odd.
the VIN plate photo from the specialist also identifies the car as being Auto where the car is in fact Manual.
Do you think that the specialist is trying to put me off the car to try and sell me one that he can source, and hence earn his commision?
i have asked the owner to photo the VIN plate, but he assures me it is the same as the one on the carfax report. I don't quite know what to think. I would very much like your opinions, before i plan a trip the view the car in the metal.

many thanks for your help.

DM.

[Jonny B]

A most odd issue indeed. The carfax report number is also odd, but I can put that down to mis-reading as it would be 113 043 10 000068.

I took a look at the plate on my 280 SL, and the stamping is from the reverse with the numbers appearing as raised not etched in as the photo shows, but I do not have another for comparison. Also on mine the 113 043 is printed, while the actual serial number and date of production are the raised numbers.

[alpina]

Sorry my mistake, one to many zeros on the VIN. this sure is a odd one, i dont quite now what to think. the car looks perfect in all the photos.

DM

[GGR]

There is indeed a problem with the plate shown on the picture, as 113042 would be a 230SL.

The VIN is stamped on the front right chassis rail, under the intake manifold. Not easily accessible, but that is the one of reference. Try to get a picture of that one. Then you have to crosscheck id that's the number on the plate and the car's papers.

Where is the car located? May be a group member could go and check a few things before you invest in a trip.

[alpina]

Hi The car is located in Madrid. so i'm not sure if there is anyone near by. That is why i contacted this specialist. it is only him that has thrown doubt in my mind.
now he is sending me lots of infomation on cars that he has to offer. All of which need work, and he is charging a commission of 15%.

[KevinC]

There is indeed a problem with the plate shown on the picture, as 113042 would be a 230SL.

The VIN is stamped on the front right chassis rail, under the intake manifold. Not easily accessible, but that is the one of reference. Try to get a picture of that one. Then you have to crosscheck id that's the number on the plate and the car's papers.

Where is the car located? May be a group member could go and check a few things before you invest in a trip.

Here's a diagram showing where to locate the stamped VIN's.

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/VIN

[stickandrudderman]

It would seem you have two problems.
A specialist with a conflict of interests and a car with a confused identity.
How much is plane trip from London to Madrid? I could do with a break!

[bogeyman]

I would tell the seller to send you a photo of the VIN plate if he is really interested in selling you the car.
Also have him photo the stamped VIN on the chassis frame behind the air intake.
If the car is legitimate, the numbers should match. Otherwise I would walk away.

[GGR]

distance between Asturias and Madrid is not that big, you can easily go there and check by yourself. Numbers would be the first think to look at. Then rust. The car looks nice, and it seems it has been restored. You need to know what they started with and if work was done properly. History of the car and its provenance will tell you what to expect in terms of rust.

Members here will help you come with a list of what to check.

[alpina]

So after asking the seller to photo the VIN. He has sent his father down this afternoon who has created a video of the VIN, although not the whole plate can be seen
the VIN is clearly shown and is as per the carfax report, which also matches the spanish paper work. (which he also sent photos of). so the question is does this image
look correct ? and is the specialist trying it on ?

DM

[peterm]

hmm is that a 190 hidden behind the tarp in the background?  I would think he may have some mercedes knowledge if he has several old collector cars- have him help do your due diligence and get some other photos before investing in travel-  photos arent usually what they seem -very frustrating when you travel a distance and have to walk away

[GGR]

That plate looks better, though it seems to be located at the wrong place. On European cars, It is usually on the right of the firewall and the pad is cut out around it, as shown on the picture sent to you by the specialist. Here, it seems to be located on the left side, where the hood hook goes, next to the relays. There is usually another plate there, with the body number. Plates may have gotten swapped when the car was restored.

Also, it seems that the inside of the engine bay has been re-sprayed with some kind of undercoating, when it should be painted body color. Undercoating is sometimes convenient to hide rust and/or poor repairs. 

[garymand]

Here is my 250SL plate German car and look at the motor, we see no important engine pics.  The type of motor is molded into the head below 5 & 6 plugs.  this motor is a 280 with a 280 head.  I don't know why the weight is in pounds except that is was imprted here and perhaps the plate was updated as I notice lbs was not stamped on your pic.  I just noticed that the video oplaces the tag in the wrong place.  There are no relays near the firewall where the tag should be.  The tag appears to be near the brake booster and hood latch, Am I wrong?  And this is not where the plate was in your first pictures.  This plate is NOT located in 2 places on the same car and the place by the booster is where the paint plate should be.  Some one was not very careful at putting the plate in the correct place.  And where is the paint plate? 

Depends on why and what you want the car for,  what's under the hood, and what it is really worth.  Maybe more importantly why are they not disclosing these things that are easily seen by average owners.