PRODUCTION ENDED: Reproduction factory data cards

[gerryvz]

Finally, after 10+ years of wanting to do this, I have been able to create an exact reproduction of my original data card -- at least, the one that would have come in the original owner's manual of my car. My car didn't come with the data cards, so I always wanted to re-create an exact replica from "scratch".

My prior thread was to obtain a couple of examples for comparative purposes. After a couple of minor adjustments to my replicopy, I present the final product here.

It would easily be possible to create other versions of this for folks who don't have their own data cards, using (mostly) the data card data that is available in the EPC data card for one's car as a source.

That said, it takes a bit of time and skill with Photoshop or other image manipulation program to create a proper data card that works.

Let me know what you think!

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[Maui]

Re: Reproduction data card

Nice work.

 

[Trae]

Re: Reproduction data card

That is really cool.

Do people say that anymore, or does that age me?

 

[Glen]

Re: Reproduction data card

Great job, Gerry!

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Reproduction data card

If anyone is in need of a data card repro (i.e. you don't have yours), I am willing, for a small fee for my time and effort, to create reproduction data cards using your data card information in the EPC. I can then print out 3 copies on card stock (thick paper) in the correct size, and ship them to you. And, of course, e-mail you the final file.

There were two different versions of the data cards that came with the cars ... one was a "loose" data card, and the other one was pasted to the inside of the rear cover of the Maintenance Booklet.

Though they look nearly identical, this data card reproduction is the one that is pasted into the back of the Maintenance Booklet.

Each individual data card file requires approximately 2-3 hours of effort, but the result is highly accurate and virtually indistinguishable from the original that would have come with the car. I don't know what the price for this service would be, but probably approximately $30-35 per car, postage paid.

Let me know if interested. We can work out arrangements privately/separately.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Reproduction data card

Here are a few views of the final product, and how it was originally provided by MBUSA.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Reproduction data card

Wow, nobody's interested in pursuing a data card for their car, eh? Surprising !!

 

[8899]

Re: Reproduction data card

I would love one for my car. I would be more than happy to pay you for the time, materials and postage in the event you are offering to create one for my 036. PM sent.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Reproduction data card

I'll get working on it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[036/199]

Re: Reproduction data card

Gerry,

just stumbled across this thread.

Kudos to your dedication regarding these cars,sir!


I would be in for a repro data card for mine.

Can you please pm me the payment details?

 

[Rudy]

Re: Reproduction data card

Hi Gerry,
how about European VINs: can you do them, too?
Regards,
Rudy

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Reproduction data card

Yes, of course. There is only one style of data card.

Hi Gerry,
how about European VINs: can you do them, too?
Regards,
Rudy

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Reproduction data card

I would love one for my car. I would be more than happy to pay you for the time, materials and postage in the event you are offering to create one for my 036. PM sent.

I will get started on this over this weekend.

 

[500ESpain]

Re: Reproduction data card

I'm in for one too

 

[Maui]

Re: Reproduction data card

Please put me down for one.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Reproduction data card

For those who want one, please PM me your VIN number so that I can get the relevant data to put on the cards via the EPC.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Reproduction data card

Data cards for 8899 and Maui are now done and out to them for review and approval.

These new data cards are significantly nicer than the one I did for myself, because I spent several hours cleaning up the card and sharpening things to make them look better.

 

[gerryvz]

If anyone didn't see this before, I do offer a service to create exact reproductions of the factory data card.

 

[600Eric]

I could definitely use one Gerry, I'll shoot you a PM

 

[bing]

Need one Gerry. Will PM/email you VIN and hopefully take with you in 2weeks?[emoji1][emoji1]

 

[gerryvz]

Several PMs received already. Looks like I have some hours of work to do when I get back home. Please send me PMs so that I have record of your request and your VIN number so that I can pull appropriate data & codes from the EPC.

Also, as a matter of policy -- I will not charge fee for this service, until you have reviewed the file and have approved it. At that point, I'll print out 2-3 copies on appropriate paper, and physically mail them to you via US Priority Mail. And provide you with JPG and high-resolution copies of the final file, electronically. I can provide in any image format, although the master file will be in Adobe Photoshop (.psd) format. The best formats that provide no image quality loss would be PSD or TIF. GIF and PNG would also be acceptable; JPG would only be best for posting electronically.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[makemann]

If anyone didn't see this before, I do offer a service to create exact reproductions of the factory data card.

I missed this post. I would like one. PM is coming your way. Thanks.

 

[gerryvz]

No Problem Makemeister. I'll add you to the queue.

No monies will be accepted until the file has been created and provided to each buyer for their approval.

 

[Maui]

Mine looks very official.

 

[jeff0093]

sign me up also Gerry

 

[gerryvz]

sign me up also Gerry

Please PM me your VIN and mailing address!

I now have a queue of 9 data cards to create !! LOL ! I'll get to work on it Saturday and Sunday when I'm home.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[Maui]

I probably don't have mention that the chicks dig'em, too.

 

[Kamylek]

Does anyone know where is the located all data card in 500E ?

 

[kubasz]

Theres a green datacard sticker in the trunk. Its located on the underside of the rear shelf. When you get to the trunk and look up you will notice it

 

[Kamylek]

I know that. But there is even more of them.

 

[gerryvz]

I have seen the "sticker" version of the data cards located in various places on 1990s MBs. For the .036, the one place I have CONSISTENTLY seen them is, as said, up under the rear deck in the trunk.

I have also seen them pasted inside the dashboard (behind the glove box), on the back-side of the trunk lining, and very commonly on the outside of the fuel tank (behind the trunk lining) on many other Benzes.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[jeff0093]

next time I have the old man on the lift I'll take a look. just did a interior clean this weekend should be done tomorrow.

 

[500ESpain]

Any updates on the remaining cards?

 

[500AMM]

I have seen the "sticker" version of the data cards located in various places on 1990s MBs. For the .036, the one place I have CONSISTENTLY seen them is, as said, up under the rear deck in the trunk.

I have also seen them pasted inside the dashboard (behind the glove box), on the back-side of the trunk lining, and very commonly on the outside of the fuel tank (behind the trunk lining) on many other Benzes.

Cheers,
Gerry

Gerry,

I may be too late on this, but my Limited is missing this data card so I should really like to have one. I shoot you an Email.

Any plans to replicate the green data sticker for the trunk as well?

 

[tomer]

This is awesome!!! No rush, but Gerry I will PM you also and would like to get into your queue!

Tom

 

[gerryvz]

Guys,

My apologies on this as I have not even gotten started due to almost constant travel and some disruption in my personal life. I haven't forgotten this project and plan to pick it up in August. I'm traveling now through August 1 (I'll be in Australia most of this time, and joining captruff & 600Eric at Legends of the Autobahn) and am looking forward to a bit less travel next month so I can start banging these cards out. I expect I can get 1-2 done per night as I have quiet time in the late evenings to focus on it.

Best regards,
Gerry

 

[kinglaw]

Re: Reproduction data card

Hi Gerry,

I have a 1991 500 SL which is pristine. It is only 45k miles. The warranty book and manual were swapped with a similar car by the dealer. I have the VIN and proof of ownership. I am willing to pay for your time to recreate this valuable card.

My email is kinglaw@pacbell.net in Los Angeles.

Thank you for helping!

Barry P. King

 

[Euro500]

Re: datacard

Sounds like an incompetent/lazy stealership weasel to me.

if you post your VIN (or PM it to GSXR) you can get your datacard's exact contents.

I have had a service for the past 18 months or so, where I re-create an exact copy of the physical data card that is pasted in the back of the original car service booklet. I charge about $30 per data card, post-paid, as it takes a couple or three hours to get the data card exact and to a high standard. If you are interested, let me know. Obviously I would need your VIN so that I can get the proper data to put on the card as it would have appeared from the factory.

My thread on this service is here: http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7163

I've attached one of my data card replicas. They are printed on paper that is the same weight as the originals were. I usually send 2-3 copies and also supply the high-resolution file so that you have it on hand if you want to print your own data cards in the future. Later versions of the data card are very clean and don't contain the thumb-print smudge at the upper right that the image below of my own data card (original prototype) contains.

Cheers,
Gerry

hi Gerry can you build a data card even if the car is from Europe ?
thanks

 

[gerryvz]

Yes. But I'm so far backlogged on data cards, I can't even begin to give you a time frame as to when I could produce such. But yes, absolutely it is easy to do this and I can do it.

 

[Euro500]

Yes. But I'm so far backlogged on data cards, I can't even begin to give you a time frame as to when I could produce such. But yes, absolutely it is easy to do this and I can do it.

Let me know how much I'll PayPal you and when ever can make one , I'll much apreciate it sir ,
im not going anywhere and not planing to sell the car anytime soon either so I don't mind waything a little bit

 

[Stutz]

Tell me when you are ready and I will send you my data as well

 

[zewok]

interested too. I'll send you my VIN number by PM.

 

[600Eric]

Umm guys just a heads up, given that Gerry is located in the the disaster zone in Texas I think making reproduction Data Cards is going to be at the absolute bottom of his priority list right now.

 

[alabbasi]

Umm guys just a heads up, given that Gerry is located in the the disaster zone in Texas I think making reproduction Data Cards is going to be at the absolute bottom of his priority list right now.

Flooding, what flooding? I just saw him walking the dog the other day

 

[lowman]

Umm guys just a heads up, given that Gerry is located in the the disaster zone in Texas I think making reproduction Data Cards is going to be at the absolute bottom of his priority list right now.

was about to say the same yesterday when seeing the post #41

 

[gsxr]

Flooding, what flooding? I just saw him walking the dog the other day

That's what Texans refer to as a "puddle".

 

[gerryvz]

Folks,

I am FINALLY in a place and with enough time that I can begin to create data cards again. What I'd like to do is to have 2-3 orders at a time that I can complete within a few days, and then go on to the next few orders.

Each data card requires approximately 5-6 hours of time to create. All I need is your VIN and postal mailing address to complete it.

From receipt of VIN, it will require approximately 48 hours to complete your data card. Data cards will be mailed to you the same business day that payment is received.

Payment should be sent via PayPal. Please contact me via PM for PayPal specifics and to provide your mailing address.

With the payment of $35.00, postage paid, you will receive:

• Three printed copies of your completed data card, on heavy stock paper that is identical to the factory paper.
• TIF (high-resolution) and PNG file format copies of your completed data card, that you can download in file form and keep
• Printed copies to be delivered to you via US Priority Mail in a Flat Rate Envelope (postage cost: $6.70 out of the $35.00 fee).

Again, per post #6 above, below is what the finished data card looks like.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gerryvz]

OK Folks - need to call a time-out on the cards - I have four to do.

I'll work through that backlog before I take orders for any more cards. I have a list of about 12 people who wanted them, so I'll be approaching folks to see if they still want to have one made.

Alternately, you can reply here and I'll compare with my list to make sure you are still on it.

Thanks
Gerry

 

[JC220]

Gerry - I’d still ike a data card produced for my 1992 500E. I pm’d about this maybe over a year ago. If you require me to re-send the Vin etc let me know

 

[jaymanek]

Gerry, Please add me to any future runs you do. Ill send you my Vin when you are ready, just let me know.