1963 W111 VIN confusion - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ScooterABC · #1 12-29-2013, 05:39 PM

I believe the VIN to my car to be 11001210088224.
That number is stamped on the inner fender passenger side, and is on one of the VIN plates shown in the photos. It's also what is on the (currently Texas) Title. But there is another number stamped into the metal above the radiator, and a similar VIN badge there with a different number - 11101210419695.
See photos. Opinions?
thanks
Scott

blyndgesser · #2 12-29-2013, 10:37 PM

Parts from two different cars?

ScooterABC · #3 12-29-2013, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blyndgesser

Parts from two different cars?

Possibly, but it would be an odd part to replace...

686point3 · #4 12-30-2013, 02:27 AM

ooohh, wow.

Very few people get this right.
Even the CA DMV and the Hollywood, LAPD detectives are clueless and had a 220SE crushed (in the 80ies), because they could not figure this out.
Just ask somebody, who knows old Mercedes (like me) and he will set you straight.

All Mercedes from after WW2 had 2 ! numbers.
The Chassis number (in German Fahrgestell nummer) and a body number (Karosserie nummer).
These are remnants of the cars, that had a frame and a body that could be separated and therefore exchanged.

The Chassis-number is the correct VIN in this case 111 012 12 088224.
VIN plate attached to cross member in front of radiator AND stamped into frame rail some where right side of the car in front of front axle mount.

The body number (111012 10 019695) refers to sequential body number of that body style (in this case a 4 door sedan). Plate attached to AND ALSO stamped into the same cross member.
On older (50ies cars) that plate was on the a-pillar in front of the driver's side door (LHD).
It also always is lower than the sequential chassis number and has one digit less. It is common for the body number to reflect a 10 when in fact the car is automatic. I believe that number to be accumulative for the current year only.
The W111 chassis also had Coupes and Convertibles as well as Carburated cars versus Fuel injected cars.

Alex
Starting an Old School MB Network in 2014
Everybody is invited to join, ask me about it.

ScooterABC · #5 12-30-2013, 12:42 PM

Thank you Alex !!!! Excellent!

Marrs · #6 12-30-2013, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 686point3

ooohh, wow.

Very few people get this right.
Even the CA DMV and the Hollywood, LAPD detectives are clueless and had a 220SE crushed (in the 80ies), because they could not figure this out.
Just ask somebody, who knows old Mercedes (like me) and he will set you straight.

All Mercedes from after WW2 had 2 ! numbers.
The Chassis number (in German Fahrgestell nummer) and a body number (Karosserie nummer).
These are remnants of the cars, that had a frame and a body that could be separated and therefore exchanged.

The Chassis-number is the correct VIN in this case 111 012 12 088224.
VIN plate attached to cross member in front of radiator AND stamped into frame rail some where right side of the car in front of front axle mount.

The body number (111012 10 019695) refers to sequential body number of that body style (in this case a 4 door sedan). Plate attached to AND ALSO stamped into the same cross member.
On older (50ies cars) that plate was on the a-pillar in front of the driver's side door (LHD).
It also always is lower than the sequential chassis number and has one digit less. It is common for the body number to reflect a 10 when in fact the car is automatic. I believe that number to be accumulative for the current year only.
The W111 chassis also had Coupes and Convertibles as well as Carburated cars versus Fuel injected cars.

Alex
Starting an Old School MB Network in 2014
Everybody is invited to join, ask me about it.

Alex: Very clear explanation, better than the one I was going to post. lol Somebody needs to sticky this topic since many people ask.
BTW, PM me info about your MB network, you can see I am interested in the W111 cars also and we have a fine network growing as well.