I have to laugh. I bought my 280sl in 1999 and had it repainted in 2001. Asked painter to remove "Pimp fender molding" but he forgot to patch small bolt holes. Oh well, at least the paint is great.
While he was doing the paint work (nearly a year long process) we both noticed that the welds on the trunk floor looked like a 16 yr old shop student had done this work. Turns out it was a local Dallas, TX MB dealer back in 1980's after looking at receipts I had for car.
By the way I am a new member.
1968 280SL, 4 speed , dark olive (paint 291)