Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: FastWgn on August 19, 2020, 14:31:48

Title: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: FastWgn on August 19, 2020, 14:31:48
All - quick question - where exactly is the body number stamped on the hardtop?
Mine is covered with a scratch preventing self adhesive felt on the bottom and hence I can't easily find it. This felt was likely attached during the renovation done by prior owner.
Before I remove the entire thing, would be good to know WHERE to look.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: JamesL on August 19, 2020, 15:04:57
For completeness, let’s do all of them

Hardtop...
Hood/bonnet: Trailing edge of the inside. Mine is toward the “top left” corner when looking from the bonnet release. And so is under body colour paint
Soft top well lid: .... and so is in the satin black/graphite paint. Location?
Gearbox cover plate:....

Begging the question... not on the boot/trunk lid, why not?
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: FastWgn on August 19, 2020, 15:21:41
For completeness, let’s do all of them

Hardtop...
Hood/bonnet: Trailing edge of the inside. Mine is toward the “top left” corner when looking from the bonnet release. And so is under body colour paint
Soft top well lid: .... and so is in the satin black/graphite paint. Location?
Gearbox cover plate:....

Begging the question... not on the boot/trunk lid, why not?

Not sure if you are asking me that question - but I do have the (matching) numbers underneath the hood and the soft top cover.
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: JamesL on August 19, 2020, 15:39:32
No, I’m trying to make sure all the locations are documented in detail, in one thread. Broad locations (hood, hardtop etc) are in the Tech Manual but that can be updated if we codify definitively...

Mine look like they were hand stamped as they are not in a straight line

And while we’re here, am I right on saying the body number was also handwritten on the reverse of some of the leather/tex trim in chalk/ crayon, as well as  crayon on inside of panels, under seats, on the back of the glove compartment, behind a headlamp etc.??
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: FastWgn on August 19, 2020, 20:03:33
I see.

On the hood - my stamp is:
drivers side rear corner, stamped "right way up", that is you can read it easily when hood is open.
Soft top lid: drivers side at very forward edge, facing inward (top of numbers towards center of car)
Gearbox cover plate: Rear end facing forward.
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: GM on August 19, 2020, 21:23:06
If I recall correctly (my hardtop is sleeping in a cover on the rack) my number was to the left of center on your photo (in the rack)
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: FastWgn on August 20, 2020, 01:41:20
If I recall correctly (my hardtop is sleeping in a cover on the rack) my number was to the left of center on your photo (in the rack)

Thank you.
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: FastWgn on August 21, 2020, 11:15:14
If I recall correctly (my hardtop is sleeping in a cover on the rack) my number was to the left of center on your photo (in the rack)

Hmm, didn't really find it there...
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: MikeSimon on August 21, 2020, 11:55:37
If your hardtop was added later and did not come from the factory with the car, it may not have a number
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: Iconic on August 21, 2020, 12:08:37
FastWgn,
Your data plate under your hood has the code to tell you if your car came with a hard top.
Have you checked that?
Enjoy !
Mark
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: FastWgn on August 21, 2020, 14:27:32
If your hardtop was added later and did not come from the factory with the car, it may not have a number

Aha - so if it did not come with a hardtop three will be NO number on the hardtop? I thought it would have some other number in that case.
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: GM on August 21, 2020, 14:48:32
Or the very real possibility that my recall for the location was incorrect...
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: JamesL on August 21, 2020, 15:05:48
Just saw a portion of my hardtop for the first time in an age!

Here is the back bottom edge and it’s to the right of the centreline when on the car (which I think is the hole on the right of the picture). This portion sits on top of the soft top well.

My body number is 482

Anyone any idea what the other numbers are or mean?? 802 ? 5558??


So... a matching numbers car I’ve always taken to be chassis and drivetrain. Arguably as important would be the body numbers, particularly the hood/bonnet as a replacement might indicate an accident...
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: Iconic on August 21, 2020, 16:00:55
Mine is in the same depression as as your numbers that look to be crossed off.
Maybe the factory decided to change which car your hard top goes on .....   ???
See my picture.
Mark
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: kampala on August 21, 2020, 16:50:49
On both my 250 and 280, the stamping is just about 2 inches off center - towards passenger side on a LHD.  Look for the rubber plug and go over 2 inches.
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: 66andBlue on August 21, 2020, 17:41:51
....
Anyone any idea what the other numbers are or mean?? 802 ? 5558??
So... a matching numbers car I’ve always taken to be chassis and drivetrain. Arguably as important would be the body numbers, particularly the hood/bonnet as a replacement might indicate an accident...
James,
the body number is stamped twice on the hardtop but you need to strip it completely to find it. It is on the bottom of the side frame, I believe on the passenger side but could also be the driver side, I have forgotten. Attached is a photo.
Would be interesting to know whether you have the same mystery number also in that location.
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: FastWgn on August 21, 2020, 19:41:38
Thank you all - you guys are super helpful. Carefully pried away the felt in that location and BAM - there is was.
And, the number matches my car.
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: VincentR on August 28, 2020, 08:07:41
Hi All,

Here enclosed on picture of my Hard Top matching position number on my 280sl 1970.

Have a nice day !

Best regards.
Vincent R
France.
Title: Re: Where on hardtop is the body number?
Post by: mbzse on August 28, 2020, 09:09:07
Quote from: JamesL
.../... am I right on saying the body number was also handwritten on the reverse of some of the leather/tex trim in chalk/ crayon, as well as  crayon on inside of panels, under seats, on the back of the glove compartment, behind a headlamp etc.?
Not at all. What you write about, is the Production Number.
This as well as the stamped in Aufbau Number (body No) are independent in relation to the cars Chassis No.

Last part of Production No is in crayon on inside of interior panels, under seats, on the back of the glove compartment etc.
Last part of Body No is stamped in hood, soft top cover, HardTop if supplied and on 12-bolt big metal plate under car.

Attached see an example of Production No scribbled on the back of a lower dash panel