I’ve known a few folks who have gone that route for all the info on their MB cars. It’s neat that they actually still have all that and will still provide the service for free.
There are also quite a few sites on the internet that will provide you with the translation for all the codes.

The build codes are on the back inside cover of the maintenance book, I believe. There’s also blanks for the dealers to put the codes in for any options they do prior to sale. I was amazed at all the codes MB had/has.
There’s even codes for preparations done to the car for sale in different areas in Texas !

Being the original owner of my 300D, I still have all that stuff. When I go to gatherings/shows, I make sure to put it all on the car. The little red tag hung with the original string from the mirror about how to operate the cruise control is quite the conversation piece. That, and the plastic coated tag that is wired to the spare tire on how to operate the jack and change a flat (in English as well as German) is pretty popular too.

Good post, Jim. Great stuff to research and learn more about the more “personal” history of our cars.

BTW - That built Sheet is often referred to as the Birth Certificate for the car. Kind of a cute name for it.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !