Brother where are you : Production numbers and such - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

meltedpanda · #1 11-19-2007, 09:43 AM

So mine is a 72 450 SL production number is 541, anyone have a car that came off the line directly in front or after me. Kinda like my next of kin, but more importantly to see if the genetics ( good and bad) are the same

Obviously I need something to do

72350sl · #2 11-22-2007, 02:54 PM

Dear brother, mine is number 128. It's a 1972 350sl/450sl 4.5 L usa car. Manufatured in 7/71. I have the original owners manual as well as metal I.D. plate (for service) that identify it as a 350sl. however the emblem on the trunk says 450sl. There's different stories about this and I'm still not clear on it. The Mercedes classic center in Irvine, CA. says it's a 450sl That Mercedes called a 350sl. something to do with not importing a new model for the first year. What ever, I've had the car for a year now, and am still very new to every thing. Lots of things yet to fix. ie.. clock, fuel gauge, heater, a/c ect... having fun and plan to keep the car forever. I see you post alot so I may be seeking your help in the future. John.

meltedpanda · #3 11-23-2007, 03:56 PM

hello, yes glad to help if I can, I have actually fixed about everything you listed, mine actually was built in 71 but is listed as a 72.
The 350 badge was common for the first two years but if they came to the US they were badged as 450, which is the engine size. They are great cars, have fun

tivoliman · #4 11-24-2007, 07:40 AM

The Mercedes Benz Club of Russia (yes, Russia), has a great web site, providing access to VIN information.
And yes, the web site provides both English and Russian versions.

Give it a try ...
http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

72350sl · #5 11-24-2007, 01:44 PM

Thanks for the thought, but that web site only lists cars built 1980 or newer. John.

pwrslider · #6 01-12-2008, 03:55 AM

My baby is #588.......euro delivery and shipped to Florida...made its way to sunny Ca. where it shows its mighty grill every weekend!

Almost got caught up in the Oakland Hills fire in 1991..but the..then owner drove it out quickly...leaving the stock hard top hanging in the now non-existant garage. Talk about 9 lives!

meltedpanda · #7 01-12-2008, 07:07 PM

wow we are close, I am just 40 or so cars older than you!

pwrslider · #8 01-16-2008, 05:36 AM

ahhh, but you list yours as being pearl in color....but wasn't the original color brown?

meltedpanda · #9 01-16-2008, 10:03 AM

yes you are correct, tobbacco brown ( which I think was kind of a yellow brown) with a blue soft top, dark brown interior.Hmmmm I like my color scheme much better, however I do like things to be original and I got this car with the "pearl" already applied, so I did not have much say.
Curious - What color is yours, and how did you know mine was brown originally

230/8 · #10 01-16-2008, 06:15 PM

My '72 is a bit newer, by serial number, but still a "1972 350SL 4.5." This is printed on the cover of the original factory manual in the glove box. The engines are 450s with a rated 230 HP in 71/72, but less in the '73s, I believe they had to re-rate them on a different measuring standard in '73. My trunk badge says 350SL, but all I have read says the dealers swapped them out for 450SL badges when the cars came in for the first service. I have a ratty old 450SL badge in with the original headlights (have euro-style installed) which would bear this out. The PO obviously rounded up and installed an original 350SL badge to return it to as-delivered condition.

Only thing I dislike is the needlessly complex heater vent system...why micro-switches and solenoids when simple cables would work fine, and this is the "simple" system not like the later ACC rubbish...go figure. Great car otherwise, I understand why it is nicknamed "panzer."

230/8

meltedpanda · #11 01-16-2008, 06:50 PM

ahh the micro switch , I replaced mine with $2.99 radioshack switches and the result was fabulous. Selinoids, bypassed the ones I felt I did not need, I got heat , defrost and air, all I need
Ron

pwrslider · #12 01-17-2008, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

yes you are correct, tobbacco brown ( which I think was kind of a yellow brown) with a blue soft top, dark brown interior.Hmmmm I like my color scheme much better, however I do like things to be original and I got this car with the "pearl" already applied, so I did not have much say.
Curious - What color is yours, and how did you know mine was brown originally

Mine is still the original paint...red. Blk interior. The strange this though is my hub caps are black...must have been swapped for the original reds. I looked for years for a set of reds...cuz I really didn't want to paint them... then I found a hard top..in black, and decided that the red black scheme looked pretty good. I will try to load up some photos when I get a chance. Everything else is ALL ORIGINAL..except a radio swap and big speakers in the rear deck. Now I kinda wish I had kept that old Becker radio instead of selling it on Ebay!

pwrslider · #13 01-17-2008, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

ahh the micro switch , I replaced mine with $2.99 radioshack switches and the result was fabulous. Selinoids, bypassed the ones I felt I did not need, I got heat , defrost and air, all I need
Ron

ahh..please details details....my heater is a constant problem. I had no idea that there was an easy fix??

meltedpanda · #14 01-17-2008, 08:37 PM

well when I investigated my problem I found that the microswitches were not functioning. They are simple on off plungers that activate the seliniod on the firewall, which in turn drives the vacuum to allow coolant to flow into the heater core. I replaced them with on off plungers from radio shack. THis required removing the front dash panel and side walls and I fabricated a bracket to get the levers to push on them properly. While I was in there I noticed that the three vacuum lines going to the switch were messed up and partially disconnected. I also aquired the diagram of the proper connections at the switch and fire wall selinoid and rerouted them correctly. Once this was done everything worked. I was fortunate at the time to have the glove box open and the dash pod out so I could visualize all the vacuum lines and corrected any leaks
Not sure I helped, but that is what I did

Engr693 · #15 01-17-2008, 11:08 PM

I have what is left of a 72 450SL (350 build in 7/71) serial number sequence #333. What is left is a pile of parts on a number of shelves in my garage. When I purchased the car it was beyond saving except for mechanical parts. The body was rusted through as the PO set it outside in the tall weeds with a poly tarp over it for two years.

I bought it to refurbish my 1973 450SL (350 build in 7/72). I also have read that the dealers replaced the badge when it came in for the first service. I am considering rebadging it 350 since that is what the data card lists.

It has Euro headlights and a ground effects kit. Bought an original Becker Europa off of ebay to replace the Radio Shack piece of crap one of the previous PO's installed. I have all the manuals except A/C. But never drive with a top on so who needs it!