Question about Data Card - 230SL

[Brandini]

I just received my data card and trying to understand the dates that are marked. Based on the card it looks like it was ordered in 1962. The date of delivery (box J from the technical manual) states 8-63 - Nuremberg, Germany. In the middle of the card it states August, 2, 1964 - is this when it was registered? Is it a 1963 or a 1964 model year?

Also, the engine number is different than what is in the car now. At some point there must have been a replacement, as there is a 250 engine currently. Does this decrease the value of the car?

Unfortunately, I do not have any documents/history from previous owners.   

[MikeSimon]

The ink stamp in the middle of the card is usually in the field "Übernahmetag" on the bottom and it says August 20, 1964. It usually was stamped by the dealer and shows the date it was delivered to the customer. In Germany it is the date the original title was issued. I do not see anything saying "Nürnberg" and anything that refers to a 1962 order. If you check you VIN number against the list in the Technical Manual, it should give you the month of production. My car falls into November 1970 production and the "Übernahmetag" was December 16, 1970.
If the engine serial number on the datacard is for the original 230SL it suggests the car was produced anytime between February and April 1964

[Brandini]

Thanks for the clarification and help deciphering the data card. I checked my VIN number against the list and it seems the month of production is between July & Aug, 1964 so this is very helpful info.

In the technical manual it states that under data card version 1 (letter "e") represents the "Order number: The order number consists of eight digits:The first digit is the last digit of the year in which the order was placed" - My data card has a "2" which I take to mean the car was ordered in 1962?

My current engine (which has been replaced at some point) is from a 250SE/C

[MikeSimon]

If you are a full member and check the Technical Manual, your VIN number will show you the exact month of production, not "between July and August". I have my doubts that a car was ordered in 1962 and not produced until July 1964. Something is not right there. The original engine was probably produced a couple of weeks before the car.

[DavidAPease]

Wasn't the 230SL introduced in 1963?  That would make it even more unlikely that one was ordered in 1962.

         -David

[Jonny B]

The 230 SL Debuted at the Geneva car show on 11 March 1963.