Hey Stretch,

Thank you! Before seeing your response, I stopped by my local MB parts desk and they were helpful.

It is "Laguna Grey" 735 and I never would have discovered that from the VIN! They had the sale date but no other info on the car!

From the whunter links I found how to read the VIN, which includes the week and year of manufacture but again that doesn't co-incide with the date on the label inside the door! Odd.

The parts fellow echoed your comment about a good shop mixing the colour match.

So thank you, for taking the time to reply!

Any other forums or areas I should check - as a newbie MB owner - would be appreciated!

I haven't driven it yet, just getting it all cleaned up first with tires, windshield, detailing. Next comes the rock chips, pin head rust spots, bumper scarring and high polish ... then ready to ride and take the first drive!