Vehicle Identification Numbers

Back to Technical Page - The 190SL has several forms of vehicle identification, listed below are the detail for each serial number. Foreign cars of this time do not have a single vehicle identification number as domestic cars do, however, the chassis number is the number that is used for most "vehicle identification number" purposes.

For more information on vehicle identification numbers, click here Chassis Number by year and production numbers.

Vehicle Number	Comments	Pictures
Chassis Data Plate (plate)	Number is stamped into plate on the firewall in front of passenger. (Early Version above and Later Version below in far right picture.) Usually, the firewall plate number is considered the vehicle identification number for registration purposes. Note the "Made in West Germany" plate added in 1957.
Frame (plate & stamp)	Chassis number is stamped into plate on subframe, passenger side, under the voltage regulator. The chassis number is also stamped above the tag on the frame itself.
Body (stamp)	Number is stamped in firewall in front of driver. This number is a manufacture sequence number to help construction of vehicle. Other parts on the car may also have this number written or stamped on vehicle.
Body (plate)	Number stamped into plate on drivers side door frame. (Early Version above and later Version below in far right picture.) Note the addition of the Paint Code in the Later Version.
Engine (plate & stamp)	On the 921 engine with side covers, the engine serial number is located on the drivers side of the engine directly under the #1 spark plug. On the 921 engine without side covers and the 928 engine, the engine serial number is located below the #4 spark plug.
Paint Code	Paint code is stamped into plate located on the firewall in front of driver. From 1958, the paint code is now located on the Body Number Tag on the Drivers side Door Jam. (Early Version above and Late Version below in far right picture.)

Chassis number and the two frame numbers should all be the same. The two body numbers should also match, however, it is VERY rare that the body numbers are the same as the chassis and frame numbers. Usually, total vehicle matching numbers are seen on early year models.

Common Vehicle Numbering	Number	.	Rare Vehicle Numbering	Number
Chassis (tag)	6501234	.	Chassis (tag)	5500123
Frame (tag & stamp)	6501234	.	Frame (tag & stamp)	5500123
Body (stamp)	6502345	.	Body (stamp)	5500123
Body (tag)	6502345	.	Body (tag)	5500123