Unknown stamping on a hood

[PBH]

Hi everyone... Its Paul from Sydney Aus here... Im about to buy a 280SL and it doesnt have the original hood on it... it does have a hood with numbers on it , but they dont correspond to the body number...

It has 165 - 2 stamped on it... does anyone know what these numbers correspond too... especially the -2???  i tried to add photo but wouldnt post...

165 isnt the body number , but interestingly it is a combination of these numbers!!!

any comments or insights appreciated.  Paul

[Duncan200]

Hi Paul,

If you’re certain the bonnet has been replaced then it has been replaced with a bonnet from another car.

The experience with my car is that the bonnet had been replaced after an accident well before my ownership as it had no body number stamped on it.

It was in such bad shape (8mm of body filler in spots) and beyond repair, I had to find a NOS bonnet out of Germany and grind its edges to fit. You’re lucky the donor car’s bonnet fitted nicely as I’m sure you’re aware, these cars were hand built and the bonnets were shaped to fit each individual car.

I’ve attached a pic of the sad state of my car prior to me restoring it. You can see the bonnet edge in top. The more I dug, the worse it got.

Doug

[AdelaidePagoda]

All numbers should match exactly. If they don’t, as Duncan200 suggests, it is a replacement bonnet. Not that this is a deal breaker, but you should also check the weld spots in the front quarter panels as they have may also been replaced if the car was involved in an accident that required the bonnet to be replaced.

The (usually three) numbers should match exactly and not be a combination of the body numbers.

Perhaps post some photos of the car so we can help you assess it for other more serious faults, or praise. It may also help you negotiate on the price. 

[PBH]

thanks for the responses... the side fender spot welds are all evident right up to near the rear of headlights... but there is no doubt its a replacement hood... and there has been a replacement front grill and the front spot welds that is should be able to feel in the metal crossmember above the grill are not there, so its definetly had a ding at the front , but not a bad one as the side fenders are original... but the hood stamping is unusual having a -2 after the 3 numbers... I was wondering if this meant it was a replacement... Im trying to attach a photo but isnt letting me only 2.6MB

[PeterW113]

Could the hyphen be a badly stamped 4?

[Jonny B]

I thought the same - but if you click on the photo to enlarge it you can see that the "4" is really a different character, not a number.

Still at a loss for an explanation however.

[Jonny B]

It is difficult to tell from the photo, but it looks like there is just an extension of the horizontal part of the 4. Not really the same.

Also if you look closely at the stamping on the hood asked about in the thread, it is not a rectangular mark. The left part is thicker than the right. There is an angle from left to right.

[PBH]

Hi Bob, when i went through to that Badali link the hood number was 4575... was there another link you were refering too??

[PBH]

THanks Peter...

Have you heard of 5 numbers being stamped on a hood???  Normally its 3 or 4 yes..

Paul

[BobH]

Hi Bob, when i went through to that Badali link the hood number was 4575... was there another link you were refering too??

That was very strange, now when i look at the link i also see 4575, even though yesterday i saw the same picture on your post and Badali!  I've removed my post so it doesn't cause any more confusion, makes no sense!

Just to answer your other question, i've only ever seen 3 or 4 numbers stamped on the body parts

Good luck with your search

[Mike Hughes]

I might postulate a theory about the possible origins of the hood/bonnet stamped "165-2."

It has been established that during the body production process certain individual removable items are fitted, stamped with the last three digits of the body number, then removed for separate painting.  During the final assembly process they are reunited with the body, the body stampings assuring that they are reunited with the correct body.

My theory is that the original hood/bonnet for the body 165 then in production was damaged in some way during the paint process, while in storage awaiting being reunited with the body, or in final assembly.  During final quality control check this damage was noted and the car was sent to the rectification department.  There a new, untrimmed hood/bonnet from parts was fitted, marked 165-2, painted, and united with the finished vehicle.  The quality control and rectification process complete, the car was released for shipment.

The existance of two hoods/bonnets, one marked 165 and one marked 165-2 in the rectification department would be the proof needed to justify charging two hood/bonnets to one vehicle during the assembly process to accounting.

How it came to be fitted to your car is likely as a result of a body shop needing to find a used hood/bonnet to repair some past collision damage to your car.

[PBH]

Thanks Mike... Great insite to the production process... Best wishes P