Author Topic: Body Number Stamp  (Read 3204 times)

MikeSimon

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Body Number Stamp
« on: February 11, 2020, 20:48:22 »
The hood on my car does not have a number stamped in the rear left corner. There is no evidence that there ever was one and that it was removed. What is the common opinion about this?
Did replacement hoods not have a number?
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Benz Dr.

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2020, 23:20:51 »
I kind of giggle about stuff like this. When people start paying huge sums for all of these matching numbers then I'll have a more concerned approach. :)
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

MikeSimon

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2020, 01:10:07 »
I totally agree with you Dan. I could probably care less about the number being there or matching or not. It is just interesting to know, though.
As far as value of the cars are concerned, it may not increase a particular car's value but it may make the difference between selling it or not.
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

doitwright

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2020, 01:41:16 »
If a stamped number is not present I would believe it was wither replaced or filled in during some previous repair work. When I had my SL's body work done, all the stamped numbers matched except the soft top compartment lid. It was different by 2 digits. Who knows?
Frank Koronkiewicz
Willowbrook, Illinois

1970 280SL Originally Light Ivory - Now Anthracite Gray Metallic

Garry

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2020, 06:24:49 »
No number means it’s a replacement given that each hood was specifically numbered, filed and fitted to each car.
« Last Edit: February 13, 2020, 20:14:00 by Garry »
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

Jordan

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2020, 12:36:44 »
Mike, are you 100% sure it is not there?  Could it have been covered over with bondo in the past by mistake (like notches getting sanded off by mistake)? 
Marcus
66 230SL  Euro 4 speed

MikeSimon

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2020, 13:36:22 »
No, it is not there. There is absolutely no bondo in that area. You can see the spot welds right there clearly and unfilled
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

mclewis

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2020, 14:56:40 »
The 280SL that I owned before my current one needed to have the hood replaced.  The new MB hood I had installed did not have a number on it.
Marc Lewis
1968 280SL 728H/728H, 248, 746
2020 C300
2021 E450 All Terrain

MikeSimon

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2020, 21:35:27 »
Here is a photo of the area where the number is supposed to be - I think
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

49er

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2020, 22:18:49 »
 This picture shows the number (barely). There are also some weathered remains of some stickers that perhaps were applied sometime during the build of the car or later maintenance? Anyone else have something similar?

John
1969 280SL 003820
Un Restored, All Original, including the paint
Original Owner, Purchased September 18, 1968
4 speed manual, PS. 77217 miles
7280 miles since awoken from her 20+ yr "nap" in 2010

neelyrc

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2020, 03:39:19 »
This picture shows the number (barely). There are also some weathered remains of some stickers that perhaps were applied sometime during the build of the car or later maintenance? Anyone else have something similar?

John

Mine has a very clear hard stamp, John. No other sticker remnants.
Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
2007 BMW 328xi (E90)
Italy
2004 Toyota HiLux D4D Pickup
2008 BMW 330xd Futura Coupe' (E92)

neelyrc

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #11 on: February 13, 2020, 04:04:19 »
Compare the pictures.  In addition to the missing number, the detail of Mike’s hood is significantly different from mine and John’s.  I suppose this is due to the much later production date of Mike’s car.  Can someone else with a late 280SL post a picture for comparison?
Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
2007 BMW 328xi (E90)
Italy
2004 Toyota HiLux D4D Pickup
2008 BMW 330xd Futura Coupe' (E92)

GM

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #12 on: February 13, 2020, 04:33:20 »
To Ralph's question - here's the underside of the hood from my '71 showing the structure. ("correct" number clipped off photo, but it's there)
Gary
1971 280SL - Sold
(98 from the end of production)
DB180 Silver Gray Metallic
Black MB Tex

MikeSimon

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #13 on: February 13, 2020, 13:37:53 »
Interesting!. I am looking really hard and cannot see a difference in the structure. Can you pinpoint what you are referring to?
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

mbzse

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #14 on: February 13, 2020, 16:16:34 »
Two images from a Brabus video.
Showing Body No and some hood underside structure.
This is an unrestored, original SL.
/Hans S

MikeSimon

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #15 on: February 13, 2020, 17:58:52 »
Still: Can someone point to the differences in structure, rather than putting up more pictures which all look the same to me?
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Iconic

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #16 on: February 13, 2020, 18:10:42 »
Mike,
If the number is missing, and it is not covered with body filler, it is most probably a replacement hood.
I would look further for evidence of a body shop repair.
1970 280 SL Automatic, USA version, Grey-Blue (906G/906G), Blue leather (245)
1968 SS396 Camaro Convertible (owned since 1977 -- my first car :D)
1984 Porsche Euro Carrera coupe, LSD, SlateBlueMet/Blue
1998 BMW M-Rdstr Estoril Blue
1970 280 SL Automatic, Anthracite Grey-173G, Red Interior-132 - sold

mbzse

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #17 on: February 13, 2020, 18:40:39 »
Quote from: MikeSimon
Still: Can someone point to the differences in structure.../...
Like yourself, I do not see any difference...?
/Hans S

neelyrc

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #18 on: February 13, 2020, 19:07:52 »
Could just be my eyes! My hood has oval shaped cutouts in the reinforcing plate. In your picture, and that of GM these appear to be depressions or indentations, not actual cut outs.  Again, could be my eyes.
Ralph

1969 280SL, 4 Speed Manual, Dark Olive (291H), Parchment Leather (256), Dark Green Soft Top (747)
1972 Mercedes-Benz 280SEL 4.5
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL
2007 BMW 328xi (E90)
Italy
2004 Toyota HiLux D4D Pickup
2008 BMW 330xd Futura Coupe' (E92)

Garry

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #19 on: February 13, 2020, 20:17:28 »
I think there is agreement it’s a replacement hood, i guess the next question is, what else was replaced during what appears to be a major repair, one or both guards?
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric

MikeSimon

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #20 on: February 13, 2020, 20:20:47 »
O.K., Ralph, they are cutouts. the hood has an outer and inner skin tagged together by the spot-welds.
And yes, the car had an accident repair. I know for a fact that the previous owner had the front right fender replaced and he repainted the car.
I just did not know that the hood was a replacement also.
Thanks all for chiming in!
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

Garry

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Re: Body Number Stamp
« Reply #21 on: February 13, 2020, 20:24:06 »
The hood was the single most expensive panel item you can buy from MB. I saw a brand new one  some years ago in Australia that MB had sold here for AUD$9k  so well over $6k USD. That’s a big throw away item......
Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
1965 MB 230SL Auto RHD Lt Blue 334G, Top 350H, 213 Leather, Tourist Delivery.
1972 MB 280CE Auto RHD 906G Blue Grey
2005 MB A200.
2006 MB B200
2019 Izuzu DMax 4x4 with Slide-on camper.
2022 Volvo XC40 Twin Electric