I am trying to determine if the car was originally dark or light blue. Is there a picture or description of where exactly the code is? I am looking under the hood at the front.

Here is the original paint sample sheet for the 1979 year.

To find your original color run your VIN through the Russian site: http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng (you may have to add a WDB before your VIN if it does not have one)

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

it's 930 but can't find it on the pics.

The sheet for the '79 year won't work.

1980 started a whole new blend of colors. 930 does show on the 1980 chart. Try "paintscratch.com" for your color.

There is really no such thing as a standard color. There is a standard target color. When paint is made for assembly lines, there is a natural drift based on manufacturer variance. This is on top of the fading and color shift from age.

On top of that, spray technique greatly affects final color, esp. on metalics. I used to make paint for the small Toyota trucks. The beds were made in Long Beach, CA, the cabs were made in Fremont, CA. The color formulations were different because the spray conditions were different.

If you are going to be critical on the color match, see if there is someone who can help you with this locally. It is much more complex then buying the can and applying it.

Good refinish manufacturers have variance chips to help you get the color close to what you need. The bodyshop folks on line can tell you more about that than I can.

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2010 Toyota matrix

'93 500 SEL
A bad addiction. Takes all of my cash.

'12 Volvo S80 T6
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'18 Mazda Miata
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