Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: John Betsch - "SADIE" on February 14, 2018, 16:11:15

Title: Cryptic Decal
Post by: John Betsch - "SADIE" on February 14, 2018, 16:11:15
I wonder if the pictured decal in my trunk means anything to anyone?

From the Dealer/Country codes listed in our site, I see that my car's order number having a 4-221 says its "NATO, Tourists, Diplomats" and area is Koln.  The Koln matches what I have been told as to where it was originally shipped which leads me to my question.

I have tried everything possible to develop a genealogy for the car being able to go back to ~1976 with the help of one German owner.  The decal attached was in in the trunk area and I thought maybe an "owner." I asked the  hotel on that decal shown, and they have told me it is not theirs.  Does the name, symbol, or numbering mean anything to anyone? 

And, does anyone have a further explanation of the Country Code "4"

much appreciated, sadie
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: 49er on February 14, 2018, 17:26:54
 Almost looks like the the Diners Club logo

John
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: Jonny B on February 15, 2018, 03:06:57
I think John has it with the Diner's club logo. I have attached an image from the 1970s.

What is the location/source of the country code "4" you are asking about?
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: neelyrc on February 15, 2018, 13:52:48
There is some lettering at the bottom of the logo to the right of the Diners Club emblem.  Perhaps someone here who reads German can determine if it provides any useful information.

The Hotel Olimpic in Castel Maggiore, Italy, is still going strong. See here:
http://www.hotelolimpicbologna.com/ 
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: John Betsch - "SADIE" on February 15, 2018, 14:00:13
That's a very interesting lead!  I had contacted the Hotel Ristorante Olimpic in Italy from their decal above the plate, but they could not help saying only it was a decal given to customers in the '70's  The saga continues.  I guess Diners Club is a start

RE Country Code Question.  The country code 4 was noted on my data card under order number/Auftrags-Nr and explained in the Pagoda Site: Technical Manual- Data Cards- Data Card/Country Codes subset. 

If anyone has further info on what the 4 explanation (NATO, Tourists, Diplomats) might mean it would be appreciated

Sadie '65 Rot Met 230SL
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: Pawel66 on February 15, 2018, 14:58:32
SADIE, it was quite common that people such as NATO soldiers (Elvis Presley for instance) who performed thier service in Europe (Germany) or diplomats could buy a car and they wanted to take it with them to e.g. the USA. I am not sure what it meant for the car building, but I read somewhere that if you took the car with you to the US from the place of your assignement you were released from paying duties for it as it was part of your overall possesions that you took with you.

Here is how it looks today from one of the dealers:

"When you're temporarily working in the Netherlands Mercedes-Benz Dealer Bedrijven can offer many advantages for expats in the Netherlands. You find the best car and deal while working abroad at MBDB.

For Expats in the Netherlands, you've got a lot of benefits:

Full Service Packages
Delivery with European equipment standards from factory
Worldwide delivery is possible
Service throughout the process in Dutch or English
Knowledge of all export and import facilities which are necessary
Mercedes-Benz Dealer Bedrijven has authorized and specially trained sales representatives in the Hague and Leiden. They can assist you in the purchase process and answer your questions. "

Again: for the built of the car - I do not know what it meant.
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: Pawel66 on February 15, 2018, 15:07:25
Ulrich Glaeser or Ulrich Gläser is a name most likely of a person or company.

I mean - Glaeser or Gläser also mean glasses (for drinks), but with Ulrich it makes a name, I think.

Can you write what these small letters at the bottom say? Hard to make out from the picture...
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: John Betsch - "SADIE" on February 15, 2018, 15:20:05
Several times I have tried to research the name Ulrich Glaeser though internet telephone books and have written to anyone listed in Germany with that name without success.  The Diners Club logo is a new clue. 
Unfortunately the Germany Diners Club site is all in German so I have been unable to find a "corporate" mailing address, or even one in the US

The words at the bottom are
nicht ubertragbar - ruckseite bea
which I believe literally translates as not transferable.

Sadie
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: Pawel66 on February 16, 2018, 11:21:26
I like this kind of puzzles! Not when they yield no results like this one so far, but I was sitting at the airport, doing nothing...

I thought if the translation is "Not transferable Back side BEA" with BEA in capital letters, then this BEA is probably some abbreviation.

Two companies came to my mind naturally: Bank of East Asia and British European Airlines.

If something is not transferable, it means it has some benefits contained. Ticket? Loyalty program?

I went two routes: Bank\Diners and BEA airlines.

I found nothing that would resemble the sticker from the picture. But maybe you will have better idea.

I found out there are people paying $50-100 for an old airline ticket!!!

Of course paying $100k for a 50 years old car is ok, but $50 for ticket? Crazy!
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: Peter van Es on February 20, 2018, 15:05:53
"rückseite bea" is probably short for "rückseite beachten" or, in English: please read the back. Or please turn over.

"Nicht übertragbar" does indeed mean: Not transferable.

It looks like a sticker that was stuck on a credit card and needed to be removed before use... after putting your signature on. The sticker was then just stuck somewhere instead of being disposed off. I doubt that there is anything interesting on the back of the sticker itself. You'll need to remove it to check!

Peter
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: John Betsch - "SADIE" on February 20, 2018, 15:18:45
More and more interesting.  This actually is an embossed plastic about 2 1/4x 5/8.  Indeed on the back is the following which is stamped off center so all that could be read is
     Frankfurt/Main
  ?heimer Landstrasse 60-62
        Tel 550891   

Being in the US, his means nothing to me

Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: Pawel66 on February 20, 2018, 16:57:10
Aaa! Beachten! I thought it was abbreviasion!

Well, you have an address there.

Frankfurt am Main - is the town (Frankfurt, the one on the river Main as opposed to Frankfurt/Oder, another town, another river).

The street can be Bockenheimer Landstrasse, number 60-62. Certainly I am not sure....

And a phone number is a phone number.

So it can be close to one of those places - could not figure out which side of the street. There is a bank there.

Or I am totally wrong.

Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: 66andBlue on February 20, 2018, 18:20:48
Quote
author=Pawel66 link=topic=27232.msg195577#msg195577 date=1519145830
...
The street can be Bockenheimer Landstrasse, number 60-62. Certainly I am not sure....
..

That is correct Pawel, but it could also be:
Bornheimer Landstrasse
Eschersheimer Landstrasse
Eckenheimer Landstrasse
Ginnheimer Landstrasse
Heddernheimer Landstrasse
Oppenheimer Landstrasse
Praunheimer Landstrasse
Rödelheimer Landstrasse

One would have to search for  Ulrich Gläser at any of these streets and perhaps get lucky.
I have tried a reveres phone number search (using 069 as the area code for Frankfurt) but nothing came up.

Is it time to call in Sherlock or Poirot?
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: Pawel66 on February 20, 2018, 19:42:08
Yes, certainly!

I just did not have time to look for more streets :).

I got stuck on Google not showing the 60-62 exactly - wanted to nail this one place.

It feels like there must have been some bank there at that time (what time?).

Well, given the place we would need, probably, Derrick or, perhaps, Jonas Kahnwlad...
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: 66andBlue on February 20, 2018, 20:41:35
Pawel,
I lived in Frankfurt from 1958 - 1969 in Bockenheim.
Notice that the Google view is from 2008 and you can see construction sites at that corner. There is a steak restaurant now.
There is still a branch of the "Frankfurter Sparkasse" (a bank) but across the Landstrasse and across from the "Cafe Laumer" which is still operating there since 1919! (http://cafelaumer.de/our%20story.html).
Believe me there are very few houses left from the 1960s on the Bockenheimer Landstrasse, or any of the other streets that I listed. Much of it changed when the subway ("U-Bahn") was put in.
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: Pawel66 on February 20, 2018, 20:59:48
Yes, you are certainly right...
"It feels like there must have been...." I meant under whatever the address was on that piece in the trunk, not specifically Bockenheimer.
It would be tough to nail it. Cities are changing.
I started looking through your list - just for the thrill of it. I found a suspect on Eschersheimer Landstrasse 60-62. :)
But then - incredible amount of time to drill...

Why was this car owner sticking those pieces in the trunk? Reminders?
Title: Re: Cryptic Decal
Post by: Shvegel on March 10, 2018, 02:11:27
As far as why the code for Euro delivery of cars for US export the cars would most likely recieve full fuel and and the Euro licence plate mounting would be installed with the US one delivered in the trunk.