W113 Data Cards and Colour Codes
W113 Data Cards and Colour Codes
Introduction
During the production period of the W113, from February 1963 to February 1971, 48,913 vehicles were produced. Prior to this, additionally at least 25 prototypes were built, with completely different prototype serial numbers, some of which were also subsequently sold to customers.
Many of these cars are still on the road – at least in season and when the weather is nice. Many have been partially or totally restored, and often their owners proudly perform this work themselves.
Data Cards
Every new Mercedes-Benz – at least in the years covered in this chapter, 1963 to 1971 – came with two (or more) Data Cards, usually inserted into the pouch containing the Owner’s Manual and Service Booklet.
One of these cards contained the key codes, and therefore was suggested not to be carried in the car, the other copy did not contain the key codes and was supposed to be kept in the car and help the technician in the shop to order the correct parts. Over the years, and through several owners, often these cards were lost. A copy of the card can be ordered by the car’s present owner (due to the confidentiality of the key codes often proof of ownership is required) from your local Mercedes-Benz dealer. Appartently the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Stuttgart has stopped supplying datacards. In the US MBUSA’s Classic Center in Irvine, CA may still provide copies of datacards. This “copy” is usually recreated from a microfiche and often of poor quality.
There were four different layouts used for the data card during the W113 production run from 1963 to 1971.
Version 1
Blue letters and red numbers were added to this data card for improved legibility and clarification. The red numbers correspond to the numbering on the data card, the letters are not on the original card.
| Box | Title on Card | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fahrzeug-Daten | Vehicle Data |
| 2 | Bitte bei Ersatzteilbestellung Fahrgestell-Nr. angeben (Pos.5) | Please provide serial number (box 5) when ordering spare parts |
| 3 | Karte nicht im Fahrzeug aufbewahren! | Do not leave data card in the vehicle! (this text is not shown on the above data card, since the confidential key codes are not shown in this copy) |
| 4 | Typ | Model |
| 5 | Fahrgestell-Nr. | Serial no., Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) |
| 6 | Getriebe | Transmission no. The transmission number, sometimes necessary to get the correct spare parts, is also stamped inside the bell housing. |
| 7 | Hinterachse | Rear axle no. The rear axle number, sometimes necessary to get the correct spare parts, is also stamped into the assembly. |
| 8 | Lenkung DB | Steering box no., mfrd. by Daimler-Benz. The steering box number, sometimes necessary to get the correct spare parts, is also stamped into the assembly. |
| 9 | Batterie | Battery supplier (Hoppecke, Varta) |
| 10 | Lackierung | Paint code For the Paint Codes see separate section. |
| UT (Unterteil) | Body | |
| OT (Oberteil) | Hardtop (and hub caps) | |
| 11 | Motor Nr. | Engine no. |
| 12 | Vorderachse links | Left front axle no. The left front axle number, sometimes necessary to get the correct spare parts, is also stamped into the assembly. |
| 13 | Raeder | Rim size |
| 14 | Lenkungsschloss | Ignition key code. With this code, spare keys can be ordered. |
| 15 | Scheinwerfer | Headlight manufacturer (Bosch, Hella) |
| 16 | Koffer- und Handschuhkastenschloss | Trunk and glove box key code. With this code, spare keys can be ordered |
| 17 | Ausstattung | Upholstery. The first digit of the 3-digit upholstery code designates the type, i.e.0 Cloth (not available with the W113) 1 MB-Tex (Vinyl) 2 LeatherBox 17 also contains code 401, single seats (bench seats were not available with the W113). For the Upholstery codes see separate chapter. |
| 18 | Aufbau-Nr. | Body no. (not identical to serial no./VIN). This number was needed in the production process to link parts before they became a car, i.e. before a VIN was assigned to it. This number (or the last digits of it) is also stamped on the matching hardtop, the hood, the softtop, the tonneau cover (i.e. the softtop compartment lid), the transmission support and the Body and Paint Number plate. See also separate chapter below for Body and Paint Number Plate. |
| 19 | Vorderachse rechts | Right front axle no. The right front axle number, sometimes necessary to get the correct spare parts, is also stamped into the assembly. |
| 20 | Bereifung, 5-fach | 5 tires, size and brand(Phoenix, Continental) |
| 21 | Tuer- und Tankschloss | Door and gas cap key code. With this code, spare keys can be ordered |
| 22 | Scheibenwischer | Windshield wiper manufacturer. Sometimes, this field (which usually was left blank anyway because there was only one supplier) and the unnumbered field below were used for additional options which did not have a code or did not fit into the fields above. E.g., on the data card of a Pagoda SL Group member, an entry is here for carpet color 2639, a color that was not normally offered. |
There are several boxes on the data card which are not numbered. In the above example they are identified by a letter:
| a | Schicht-Nr. | Production shift no. for which production of the car was scheduled |
| b | Fg.-Nr. | Last six digits of the VIN |
| c | Prod.-Nr. | Production no., production related |
| d | Baumuster | Model configuration: The first 6 or 8 digits of the VIN |
| e | Auftrags-Nr. | Order no. The order number consists of eight digits: The first digit is the last digit of the year in which the order was placed (in the above example it is 3, the order was placed by the dealer in 1963). The next three digits identify the region (if in Germany) or the country from which the order was placed (in the above example it is 219, which is the MB-“Niederlassung” in Hamburg, Germany). For the Dealer and Country Codes see the corresponding chapter below. The next four digits are sequential by dealer/region/country and year. |
| f | wenig gewuenscht | rarely ordered. These are four boxes to enter 3-digit option codes which do not fit the other option code boxes. Usually the code for the softtop color is listed here. (The example has option code 415, hardtop without softtop, therefore there is no softtop color code listed in this example.) For the Softtop Color Codes see the corresponding chapter. |
| g | Hinweis | Remark box. E.g., one owner’s data card had a “3” here – he ordered his engine detailed as the show car at the Geneva Auto Show. |
| h | Zulassungsdatum | Date of first registration (in this example it is stamped above the box). Only used in a few markets, e.g., Germany. |
| i | Oelmarke | Oil brand filled in engine |
| j | Uebernahmetag | Date of delivery. Only used in a few markets, e.g., Germany. |
All other boxes are option code boxes. They have a two digit heading (from 41 to 68) and a one digit number if an option is ordered. In the above example, in the 53 box a 3 is entered, i.e. code 533 was ordered.
Version 2
Blue letters and red numbers were added to this data card for improved legibility and clarification. The red numbers correspond to the numbering on the data card, the letters are not on the original card.
A comparison of data cards version 1 and 2 shows that the boxes were renumbered and five boxes on version 1 were eliminated in version 2.
| Box | Title on Card | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fahrzeug-Daten | Vehicle Data |
| 2 | Bitte bei Ersatzteilbestellung Fahrgestell-Nr. angeben (Pos.5) | Please provide serial number (box 5) when ordering spare parts |
| 3 | Karte nicht im Fahrzeug aufbewahren! | Do not leave data card in the vehicle! (in the above example, items 1, 2 and 3 are not shown) |
| 4 | Typ | Model |
| 5 | Aufbau-Nr. | Body no. (not identical to serial no./VIN). This number was needed in the production process to link parts before they became a car, i.e. before a VIN was assigned to it. This number (or the last digits of it) is also stamped on the matching hardtop, the hood, the softtop, the tonneau cover (i.e. the softtop compartment lid), the transmission support and the Body and Paint Number plate. See also separate chapter below for Body and Paint Number Plate. |
| 6 | Fahrgestell-Nr. | Serial no., Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) |
| 7 | Lackierung | Paint code For the Paint Codes see separate section below. |
| UT (Unterteil) | Body | |
| OT (Oberteil) | Hardtop (and hub caps) | |
| 8 | Ausstattung | Upholstery. The first digit of the 3-digit upholstery code designates the type, i.e.0 Cloth (not available with the W113) 1 MB-Tex (Vinyl) 2 LeatherBox 17 also contains code 401, single seats (bench seats were not available with the W113). For the Upholstery codes see separate chapter. |
| 9 | Motor Nr. | Engine no. |
| 10 | Vorderachse links | Left front axle no. The left front axle number, sometimes necessary to get the correct spare parts, is also stamped into the assembly. |
| 11 | Getriebe | Transmission no. The transmission number, sometimes necessary to get the correct spare parts, is also stamped inside the bell housing. |
| 12 | Lenkung DB | Steering box no., mfrd. by Daimler-Benz. The steering box number, sometimes necessary to get the correct spare parts, is also stamped into the assembly. |
| 13 | Scheinwerfer | Headlight manufacturer (Bosch, Hella) |
| 14 | Hinterachse | Rear axle no. The rear axle number, sometimes necessary to get the correct spare parts, is also stamped into the assembly. |
| 15 | Vorderachse rechts | Right front axle no. The right front axle number, sometimes necessary to get the correct spare parts, is also stamped into the assembly. |
| 16 | Lenkungsschloss | (literal: Steeringwheel key).Ignition key code. With this code, spare keys can be ordered. |
| 17 | Koffer- und Handschuhkastenschloss | Trunk and glove box key code. With this code, spare keys can be ordered |
| 18 | Tuer- und Tankschloss | Door and gas cap key code. With this code, spare keys can be ordered |
| 19 | Bereifung, 5-fach | 5 tires, size and brand(Phoenix, Continental) |
There are several boxes on the data card which are not numbered. In the above example they are identified by a letter:
| a | Schicht-Nr. | Production shift no. for which production of the car was scheduled |
| c | Prod.-Nr. | Production no., production related |
| e | Auftrags-Nr. | Order no. The order number consists of eight digits: The first digit is the last digit of the year in which the order was placed (in the above example it is 3, the order was placed by the dealer in 1963). The next three digits identify the region (if in Germany) or the country from which the order was placed (in the above example it is 219, which is the MB-“Niederlassung” in Hamburg, Germany). For the Dealer and Country Codes see the corresponding chapter. The next four digits are sequential by dealer/region/country and year. |
| f | wenig gewuenscht | rarely ordered. These are four boxes to enter 3-digit option codes which do not fit the other option code boxes. Usually the code for the softtop color is listed here. (The example has option code 415, hardtop without softtop, therefore there is no softtop color code listed in this example.) For the Softtop Color Codes see the corresponding chapter. |
| g | Hinweis | Remark box. E.g., one owner’s data card had a “3” here – he ordered his engine detailed as the show car at the Geneva Auto Show (10) (11). |
| h | Zulassungsdatum | Date of first registration (in this example it is stamped above the box). Only used in a few markets, e.g., Germany. |
| i | Oelmarke | Oil brand filled in engine |
| j | Uebernahmetag | Date of delivery. Only used in a few markets, e.g., Germany. |
All other boxes are option code boxes. They have a two digit heading (from 41 to 68) and a one digit number if an option is ordered. In the above example, in the 53 box a 3 is entered, i.e. code 533 was ordered.
Version 3
Blue letters and red numbers were added to this data card for improved legibility and clarification. The red numbers correspond to the numbering on the data card, the letters are not on the original card.
As can be seen, there is only a change in layout, but not in content and numbering, between this version 3 and data card version 2.
The numbers 1 to 19 are the same, and the unnumbered boxes are identified with the same letters as in version 2.
Therefore, for the description of this card please refer to Data Card version 2.
Version 4
Blue letters and red numbers were added to this data card for improved legibility and clarification. The red numbers correspond to the numbering on the data card, the letters are not on the original card.
The top two lines have not changed in comparison to the data card versions 2 and 3, but in the bottom half boxes
10 front axle left
12 steering box no.
14 rear axle
15 front axle right
16 ignition key code
17 trunk and glove box key code
18 door and gas cap key code
were all eliminated.
In other words, this data card contains text/boxes
1 Vehicle Data
2 Please provide serial number when ordering spare parts
3 Do not leave data card in vehicle!
4 Model
5 Body No.
6 Serial No./VIN
7 Paint code
8 Upholstery
9 Engine No.
11 Transmission No.
13 Headlight supplier
19 5 tires, brand (Phoenix, Continental)
a Production shift No.
c Production No.
e Order No.
f Rarely ordered
g Remark box
h Date of first registration
i Oil brand
j Date of delivery
as data card version 2 does, although the layout in the bottom half has changed. The more detailed explanation of these texts/boxes can be found above in chapter Data Card Version 2 under these numbers/letters.
Two new boxes introduced in August 1969 and new on this version are
| 24 | Hauptschluessel, alle Schloesser | Master key code, all locks |
| 25 | Nebenschluessel Lenkung, Tueren und Tank | Valet key code, ignition, doors and gas cap |
The valet key does not open the trunk and glove box, i.e. as of that time the car came with only two keys instead of three. (Previously: Ignition key, door and gas cap key, trunk and glove box key)
The original data cards, not the copies from microfilm you receive nowadays, also had a flipside which provided some translations and had space for the owner to add his/her name, address and license plate number:
- Flipside
Option Codes are listed in a separate chapter.
Editorial from Pagoda SL Group.
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Thank you for this great page which really helped me to understand my data card!
I have one question:
On version 1 of the data card, at the right bottom corner there is a “R”, without any indication.
On my own data card, there is a “St” at this location.
Do you know what it means?