Author Topic: decal location confirmation  (Read 3851 times)

John Betsch - "SADIE"

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decal location confirmation
« on: February 07, 2023, 16:04:11 »
I know I have seen it written in the Tech Manual that the attached oil decal is to be located in the boot next to the Tire Pressure decal.  To me, this seems like an unusual spot for this decal.  I am not questioning the Tech Manual but just interested in members perspective of why this location?

I also have been questioned by others that this appears wrong, (and I am interested in the proper response)

jb
JB; 1965 German market SL, Rot Met 571, Summary Code 213 Interior

neelyrc

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2023, 04:57:06 »
jb,
My guess is that there is variation over the years and possibly even between countries.  My 1969 280SL (007749) factory delivered US Specification car does not have the oil decal at all.

Also, I see that your tire pressure decal is a complete German language version, probably because of German specification, whereas mine is completely in English and only provides tire pressure in psi.
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
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Jordan

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2023, 11:57:48 »
Can't answer the question but I see the padding under the cross member is also different.
Marcus
66 230SL  Euro 4 speed

Jonny B

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2023, 16:53:01 »
A good question, and one we have enjoyed conversing about here in SoCal - placement of decals.

My view is the while we tend to obsess over these details, exact locations are not really known. This as evidenced by different locations in different original cars.

I would keep in mind that there was no "locator" tool for decals, these were put on as the car came down the line, and could be in somewhat different locations depending on who was doing the application. While partially hand built, the folks on the line were trying to get the iron out the door and were not going to be spending time trying to ensure that such and such label was exactly 10cm from there, or 20 cm from that.

Again, my rumination on a Wed morning.
« Last Edit: February 09, 2023, 15:47:48 by Jonny B »
Jonny B
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Garry

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2023, 21:27:03 »
Like John, I suspect they just slapped the single decal on by hand and every cars probably has it in a slightly different position.

Garry Marks
Melbourne/ Kyneton, Brisbane. Australia
1969 MB 280SL 5 speed RHD SOLD.
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lreppond

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2023, 03:49:43 »
I’m of the opinion that there were no standardized placements of these decals. Heres a pic of mine.  Different than all the rest pictured here.
~Len

1971 280 SL
576G red/251 Beige
4 speed manual
Family owned since new (father —> son)

ejboyd5

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #6 on: February 12, 2023, 12:48:58 »
Never underestimate the possible influence that liquid refreshment may have played in decal placement.

BobH

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2023, 13:01:57 »
So that's what DUI means, Decals Under the Influence!

In answer to John's original question

Seems 230's and 250's had less decals or engineering tags than 280's, even in USA cars

I've never seen very original or "correctly" restored 230's and 250's with the oil decal on the boot/trunk lid, only on 280's, and perhaps not all 280's had them, maybe only USA cars

I don't think there's a definitive answer to be found, the closest confirmation possible would be from owners of family owned cars with proven provenance 

Just my two pence worth
February 1965 230SL Automatic
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tockuly

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2024, 19:00:25 »
Just for reference, here is a picture from my original 1970 280 SL
70 280 SL
56 Chevy Pickup - Restomod

Pawel66

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2024, 06:59:24 »
So that's what DUI means, Decals Under the Influence!

In answer to John's original question

Seems 230's and 250's had less decals or engineering tags than 280's, even in USA cars

I've never seen very original or "correctly" restored 230's and 250's with the oil decal on the boot/trunk lid, only on 280's, and perhaps not all 280's had them, maybe only USA cars

I don't think there's a definitive answer to be found, the closest confirmation possible would be from owners of family owned cars with proven provenance 

Just my two pence worth

I am pretty sure that stickers applied during October fest time may be in different locations than those applied during more “regular” days.

I think we have the tendency to overrate “ordnung” in Daimler factories. I am sure ordnung was there everywhere where it was important. This is also a kind of “ordnung”, one that some of us would call efficiency.

I think we have once concluded that, similarly to differential oil decal on pillar A, the oil decal on trunk lid was for the US primarily. My car, Euro 1970, did not have that.
« Last Edit: February 08, 2024, 07:06:58 by Pawel66 »
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zoegrlh

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #10 on: February 12, 2024, 21:42:36 »
I have a euro delivery 1970, both decals are attached to underside of trunk lid.
Robert Hyatt
Williamsburg, VA.

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John Betsch - "SADIE"

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2024, 21:45:53 »
I would love to see Peter Lesler chime in on this question

JHB
JB; 1965 German market SL, Rot Met 571, Summary Code 213 Interior

zoegrlh

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #12 on: February 12, 2024, 21:48:31 »
If Bob Greco was still alive, he would know for sure, he sold these decals and was an authority on them and placement of them. I still have an old catalog of his. If he is looking down on us, he would be laughing right now. Bob
Robert Hyatt
Williamsburg, VA.

W113, 1970 280SL, Red leather 242 on Silver Gray Met. 180, 4-speed stick, Euro spec, restored
R172 2012 SLK350, Black Premium leather 801 on Mars Red 590, 7-speed auto
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Garry

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #13 on: February 12, 2024, 21:57:07 »
My 1965 230SL Euro Tourist Delivered vehicle. Original internal trunk lid


No additional sticker.
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
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Starchild

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #14 on: February 13, 2024, 02:22:01 »
Who manufactures the stickers?

 I need a new red psi sticker for the trunk lid and the radiator fluid reservoir.

Jonny B

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #15 on: February 13, 2024, 02:52:56 »
If you look closely at the oil fill level sticker, it has a part number starting with 114. That would most likely mean it was used when the 114/115 cars came out - 1968.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
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TJMart

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Re: decal location confirmation
« Reply #16 on: February 17, 2024, 17:03:03 »
Who manufactures the stickers?

 I need a new red psi sticker for the trunk lid and the radiator fluid reservoir.

Bud's Benz in Georgia sells them. They are very good quality.

Tony
Tony
1970 280SL, 4 Speed