Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: Wray on February 14, 2025, 20:25:51

Title: VIN plate location
Post by: Wray on February 14, 2025, 20:25:51

I’ve recently purchased a 1969 280sl for my wife. The vin is 113-044-12-010147. The car was repainted and there is no vin plate on the drivers side B post. The firewall cover was recently replaced and there is a rectangular cut in the pad where a vin plate might be. Previously we had a 1970 280 sl and the vin was on the B post. Yet some reference  books I’ve read indicate the tag should be on the bulkhead. I’d appreciate any guidance on this issue. The windshield tag has the correct vin as does the paint and body tag.
Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: VIN plate location
Post by: Pawel66 on February 14, 2025, 20:45:45

A handful of info here: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/VIN

Is your car the US car or Euro car as per the Body and Paint Code plate? Explained here: https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/BodyandPaintNumberPlate

and here

https://www.sl113.org/wiki/DataCard/DealerandCountryCodes

Presence of VIN plate under the hood in firewall pad cut out suggest European version. In this case there was no VIN plate on the B or A pillar. Earlier US 280SLs had VIN plate on A pillar, later ones on the B pillar. As for A or B, note Reply#2 here: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=33221.msg242301#msg242301

Title: Re: VIN plate location
Post by: Jonny B on February 15, 2025, 18:26:38

According to the list of changes for the 280 SL, the VIN was moved to the B-pillar starting with 280 SL VIN 10704. This was for US cars.

Also there should be a VIN tag visible through the windshield, on the left hand side. This occurred at VIN ending 07114 - also for US cars as a federal requirement for a "visible VIN" - one that could be seen from the outside of the car.

Title: Re: VIN plate location
Post by: Wray on February 15, 2025, 23:56:58

Thanks, given the cars vin near the switchover, it would seem that the tag should be on the bulkhead. The correct vin is visible on the windshield post. I will carefully see what I can find under the cutout.

Title: Re: VIN plate location
Post by: lreppond on February 16, 2025, 00:18:00

The  VIN is also embossed on the frame under the air intake manifold. 

Title: Re: VIN plate location
Post by: kampala on February 16, 2025, 01:14:54

Quote from: Wray on February 15, 2025, 23:56:58

Thanks, given the cars vin near the switchover, it would seem that the tag should be on the bulkhead. The correct vin is visible on the windshield post. I will carefully see what I can find under the cutout.

If your car is USA car, the  VIN plate would be on the A-pillar if before the change, or B-pillar if after the change.  Not on the bulkhead.

Title: Re: VIN plate location
Post by: Jonny B on February 16, 2025, 16:53:21

Yes, Kampala is correct about the A pillar. I was not clear about the position prior to the change to the B pillar.