280SL 1970 Australian Delivery - Data Card

[Surfer]

I have a 280SL 1970 built (Australian Delivery) and have a number of codes on the data card which I cannot seem to work out.   52/4, 59/8, 62/5, 66/9  and under Wenig Gewuenscht "243" and "254". Sincerely appreciate if anyone is able to help with these codes ?

[neelyrc]

Welcome to the forum Surfer.  These codes can be found in the technical manual.  Click on the third heading above. Follow the index to find the codes.  Some little used codes are in supplemental lists accessed by  links.

There is a world of information in the manual.  It is usually the first place you will want to look when you need information.

Tell us about your car and let us see some pictures.

[Jonny B]

As Ralph suggested, take a look through the tech manual, LOTS of good information there. However, the codes for 243 and 625 are not listed. I have a German listing of codes that indicates the "625" was for export to Australia. Unfortunately no listing for 243.

[neelyrc]

However, the codes for 243 and 625 are not listed. I have a German listing of codes that indicates the "625" was for export to Australia. Unfortunately no listing for 243.

I found reference to 243 and 265 in the supplemental list. 243- Elimination of battery.  Not sure this is accurate but it might make sense for the long voyage to Australia. 265 is shown as export to Australia as Jon mentioned.

[Surfer]

Thank you for all your prompt responses and your time which sincerely appreciated -

243 - Elimination of battery makes sense given the shipping times from Germany to Australia 
         during the 1970's which would have been at least a month. I note that the vehicle was
         completed in May 1970 but was not delivered to the customer until Jan 1971 !

265 - Export to Australia - thank you

One other question - I note "Phon.  3   m"  in the tyre section on the data card (the "3" is in a larger and different font). I guess the Phon is Phoenix but what does the "3" & "m" refer to ?

Meantime the vehicle is a recent purchase and I am attaching a photo for your reference

- 1970 Built
- Australian delivered car (1971)
- Right hand drive
- Papyrus White paint
- Black Mbtex interior
- Only two owners since new (1970-1990 and 1990-2016)
- Original log book with service stamps
- Chassis is straight with no accident damage
 
Again I thank you all for your kind help

[neelyrc]

Surfer, thanks for posting the picture. Very nice; lovely in its simplicity with the all white finish! 

Sorry I can't offer an answer to your tire question.  Perhaps others can offer information on the "3" and the "m."  I feel sure that the "Phon" is for Phoenix.   

In the case of my own car, I have not found an explanation of the code in block 19 of the data card. It includes only the following: "- s"
 
Elsewhere on my data card the code 641 appears which is for white wall tires.  As I took delivery of the car at the factory, I do know that the tires were Firestone Phoenix whitewalls.  I would like to know if there is an explanation somewhere of the entry in my block 19.  Perhaps others can comment.

Again Surfer, welcome to the Forum.

[Surfer]

Ralph, many thanks for you input and also the photo of your data card.

I am attaching a copy of my data card (a later version) as I note that the "3" is of similar font/size to the one that appears in a separate unmarked box on the rights side of your card and suspect they refer to the same thing. Hopefully someone might be able to shed some light on the "-s" and the "m" on our cards. In the meantime I will continue to search through my technical manuals and books.

Thanking you

[Surfer]

Ralph, further to my earlier post I have had a look on line at as many data cards as I can and have seen the letters "g, m, n & s" used in the tyre section although many cards have nothing but just the tyre manufacturer listed. I am wondering whether these letters could be the "speed rating" of the tyre ?. My Mercedes technical data book (Issue 1971) refers to permissible speeds under the following codes:

    -      up to 150 km/h
    S      up to 175 km/h
    H      up to 200 km/h
    V      over 200 km/h

These are however for Diagonal-ply Tires and I believe that all W113's were fitted with Radial-ply tires  ?

Thanks

[Jonny B]

I just had a look at the data card for my 280 SL (a little earlier than yours, at VIN 12730). There is no large size "3" after the Phön. However, there are two letters to the right of the Phön - "ga"?

[neelyrc]

When I saw Surfer's data card the bold number"3" hit me!  As you can see in our technical manual there are several similar but different data cards depending on the time of production. This variations are explained in great detail. You will also see some cards there with the Mercedes star overprinted and some without.  Some cards show a bold "1" near the right margin half way down the card.  Sometimes this number"1" is shown in a box of its own and sometimes not.  Sometimes it is overprinted on Box 19, the box containing tire data.   

IMHO this bold number "1" and the bold number"3" on Surfer's card have nothing to do with tires.  The technical manual doesn't mention it but there are data cards with a bold number "3" as on my data card posted here and on Surfer's card.  Mine has the number in a separate box, Surfer's is overprinted on Box 19.

Further, it is not mentioned in the Technical Manual but there are (or were) several cards per car.  I have 4 cards that came with my car and a picture is attached.  The card with the Number "1" also has the description of the various boxes printed on the back and has the Mercedes star overprinted on the front.  My card with the number "3" is identical to the number "1" card but with nothing printed on the back and nothing printed in the lower right hand corner box.  A copy of the back of my number "1"card is also attached here.  The two pink cards include identical data to the number "1" and "3" cards and are blank on the back.

I suspect that some of these additional cards may have served some purpose during manufacturing but this is strictly speculation on my part.

 

[Surfer]

Ralph & John, thanks once again for all your input. The bold numbers clearly have nothing to do with tire data in Box 19 but as Ralph suggests perhaps they served a purpose during manufacture. I spoke with a friend this morning who is a Mercedes dealer here in Sydney and he suggested that one of the cards may have been retained by Mercedes in Germany and then a further card would have likely been retained by the local Mercedes dealer (we are talking pre computer/internet days) and filed for future reference when the car came in for service or the customer lost their keys. I also note that Ralph made mention of the fact that he collected his car from the factory (that would have been amazing) and this may explain why he has four data cards which I am guessing is a very rare occurrence.

As to the letters found in Box 19 - the fact that John has two letters "ga" in his box discounts the speed rating theory  .  My friend has a contact in Stuttgart and said he would check re the lettering in Box 19. I will get back to you if I hear anything

By the way no data cards came with my vehicle when I purchased it and I had to obtain a copy from Stuttgart. Have you heard of anyone making reproduction data card for the classic Mercedes vehicles ?. 

My friend also pointed me to the following web page which contained two extensive data code pdf files for Mercedes and I thought you might find them useful.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w220-s-class/1639927-guide-mercedes-benz-vehicle-data-card.html

The above confirmed 243 as "elimination of battery" and 625 as "version for Australia"

[neelyrc]

By the way no data cards came with my vehicle when I purchased it and I had to obtain a copy from Stuttgart. Have you heard of anyone making reproduction data card for the classic Mercedes vehicles ?. 

My friend also pointed me to the following web page which contained two extensive data code pdf files for Mercedes and I thought you might find them useful.

I have not heard of anyone making reproduction data cards, perhaps others could comment.  Most seem to be content with obtaining a copy so that they have the data.  I had heard that the data card copies from MB were printed from microfilm and were not of good quality.  The quality of printing on your data card in Reply 6 above appears to be excellent.

Thanks for posting the link to the data code lists. 

Do post any further information you receive on the lettering in Box 19.

[PIP1947]

Hi Surfer
Going by your moniker and the architecture in the photo, you are located somewhere on the NSW coast. Your car looks very nice and the previous ownership history is wonderful. Where did you find it? Also interested to know how you obtained the data card. Did you write direct to the classic centre, with you Vin No? Thanks from me also for the link to the data codes. Regards
Pip1947
Sydney
1968 280 SL
Tunis Beige Metallic, Dark Brown interior

[Garry]

PIP1947

To get a data card for your card, email Tom Hansen at the Mercedes Classic Centre in Irvine CA who’s email address  is thomas.hanson@mbusa.com

Provide him with your VIN and he is very helpful and normally will email you with a copy within 48 hours. There is no cost for this from MBUSA.

[alpina]

Hi Surfer,
A while ago i set out to reproduce my data card.
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=21483.msg152865#msg152865
I also produced one for kampala. I think he was happy with it.  As i have made templates for
the two later versions of the data card (version 3 & version 4). I amended the info to suit your data.
you just need to print it.

all the best. DM.

[Jonny B]

Surfer,

Thanks for the posting of the very detailed listing of the option codes. I had not seen that before.

I was able to find an original blank of the data card (don't remember what version) on ebay.

Can anyone suggest a place to find the proper font to match the original style, as DM did for Kampala?

[neelyrc]

Hi Surfer,
A while ago i set out to reproduce my data card.

Beautiful reproduction job DM! Looks great.

I was looking at the cards you prepared for Surfer.  Based on the Technical Manual samples and on my original data cards, I think a reproduction of an original card having the key numbers shown and having the printed index on the back should have the bold number "1" on the front instead of bold number "3."  From your earlier thread on this subject it would appear that a bolt number "2" would be appropriate if the key number blocks were obliterated and the printed index appears on the back.   A card with the bold "3" on the front should be blank on the back.  What do you think?

[Surfer]

Hi PIP1947,

Great detective work and confirm that I am living in Sydney (North side of harbour). Although I do surf Byron Bay every year the moniker was more of a reference to my internet surfing. I have been looking for a suitable 280SL (Australian Delivery) for a number of years now and had all but given up until I literally stumbled across this one by mistake on Car Sales. The car is now off the road and about to commence restoration which is why I was chasing the data card and to ensure originality.

I did write to the Classic Centre in Stuttgart but they said they were unable to provide me with a data card - apparently they no longer do this for owners outside of Germany. The Classic Centre advised me to apply to my local Mercedes-Benz dealership. I do have a friend in a local Sydney dealership and he just happened to be in contact with someone who was working in Stuttgart at the time. I did forward them a photo of the VIN plate from the vehicle and it did take some time to get a response. I get the feeling that given the surge in the Classic Car market (and preference for provenance) that manufacturers such as Mercedes are being inundated with requests for history on the older cars so they just don't have the time or inclination to follow up on many of these requests. From what I understand the USA dealers are generally more friendly and willing to help in these types of inquiries. I will probably see my contact end of this week and will see what he can do re another data card request.

All The Best

[PIP1947]

Hi Surfer
Being a former keen surfer, of the Newport/Palm Beach/Freshwater/Warriewood variety, I figured you were a beachside dweller. While I now live in Darling Point, I grew up in Turramurra and Neutral Bay, so north side is my real home. Your car doesn't look like it needs much in the way of external work, so I assume you are talking about mainly mechanical restoration. Being Australian delivery, it's probably reasonably rust free. My 280SL is a very early one (January 68), delivered to York in the UK. I haven't been able to ascertain the time of its arrival in Australia but, judging by the relatively small amount of rust repairs, I'm guessing it has been in Sydney since the 70's. "Goldie" is a daily driver and I regularly traverse the north shore, so keep your eye out for me.

I look forward to hearing how your restoration progresses. I've done very little to Goldie in 3 and a half years - aircon and rebuilt rear suspension being the two major items. Cheers
Pip1947

[Surfer]

DM, this is nothing short of amazing, Many thanks for all your kind efforts with the data card. If you would be able to prepare an additional card along the lines of Ralph's proposal that would also be sincerely appreciated. Again many thanks

[Surfer]

Hi PIP1947
Not much surfing for me these days with kids still around but I do look forward to our annual trip up North and a long ride out at the Pass each year. I am in Mosman these days and the long board collection is gathering dust.

No rust in the 1970 280SL however the engine will need to come out so we are likely going to strip and repaint at that time. I spoke with the previous Owners and the vehicle had some hail damage around 15 years ago (that big storm that hit Sydney). Whilst the repair work was excellent you can easily see the difference between the colour of the exterior newer paint and that of the engine bay. It does not look it from the photo but most of the chrome is tarnished or damaged so it will also be replaced. The seats have been re-done with a lousy quality leather some years ago so they will also be refurbished in MB-Tex to bring it back to the original specification. 

By the way excellent colour - I would have definitely noticed yours on the road so will be on the look out.

[alpina]

Hi Surfer,
Cards 1 & 2. if you want the key info on the card just send me a PM.
DM.

[Surfer]

Hi DM. Thanks again for your efforts. The copy of the data card I received had the key info blocked (I am not sure why as I provided proof of ownership). I am however trying to chase this  information through another source and will advise via PM when I have same. Sincere thanks

[PIP1947]

Hi Surfer
some of my chrome is a bit tarnished and I'm undecided about R replacing it, or leaving it and keeping the original 'patina'. If your engine is coming out, I guess that's an opportunity to re spray. Goldie's engine was overhauled in '98 and has few miles on it, so I probably won't have that opportunity for a while. Have you chosen a restorer for your work? I'm a great lover of MB Tex. my previous 230SL (purchased in Mosman) had the original black Tex interior and when I sold it in 2005, it looked as good as new. Ditto the blue Tex in my 71 280SE 3.5 and the dark brown Tex in Goldie. It is amazing stuff. Who,could forget the hail storm of April 1999. Many cars badly damaged, from Kensington to Cremorne and beyond! Hope your restoration goes well and look forward to hearing about it.
Pip 1947

[Surfer]

Hi Jonny B & Ralph, I have somewhat of an update with respect to the coding/lettering in Box 19.

Firstly the Classic Mercedes Centre in Stuttgart responded to my request for information on the lettering in Box 19 but said they had no information with respect to this coding. This leads me to believe that the lettering it purely related to the tyres of the period which are a non-Mercedes items hence the lack of information from Stuttgart.

I have done some further research re antique tyres and it appears that tyres from the period did have speed index ratings and corresponding coding but this may have varied between manufacturers and origin (Europe, US etc.,). Typically speed ratings range from "E" (70 Km/h) in 10 km increments upwards.

So "S" would be 180 Km/hr, "M" 130 KM/hr & "G"   90 Km/hr.  The "ga" designation is still a bit of a mystery but a local tyre specialist suggested that this "might" refer to a speed rating of 90 KM/h for the "g" and an "All weather or season rating" for the "a".  The all season rating would make sense given the lower overall speed rating for the tyre. Please note this is all just guess work at this stage and will let you know if I come up with anything further
Surfer