PRODUCTION ENDED: Reproduction factory data cards

[obiana]

Marvelous Garry! I would sign up for one, if you are willing to mail it to germany.

Regards from Leverkusen
WILLI

 

[gerryvz]

I'm happy to ship internationally. It's about USD $15 ($10 more than domestic USA mail) ... so about USD $45 total.

 

[Lynch]

Hi Gerry, glad to hear you're back and ready to go. Hope I'm on that list for a datacard.

Not sure if you got me PM during your hiatus. Let me know

 

[gerryvz]

You're on my list Lynch. I am working through my current backlog and hope to get all shipped before I head out to Hawaii on Wednesday.

 

[gerryvz]

All four data cards are now done and COMPLETE, and will go out in tomorrow's US Mail.

I have the following people on my list:

1. outrbnks (2 500Es)
2. 600Eric
3. r44raven

1. Lynch
2. jaymanek
3. JC220
4. 036/199
5. Rudy
6. obiana
7. 500ESpain
8. bing
9. makemann
10. jeff0093
11. 500AMM
12. tomer
13. kinglaw
14. Euro 500
15. Stutz
16. zewok

I can do perhaps 3 more cards before I leave on Wednesday morning.

If you want a card done quickly, please PM me your VIN number and mailing address. I will respond with PayPal information.

These data cards beat a Porsche keychain or license plate frame, 7 ways for Sunday.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gerryvz]

All cards now MAILED.


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[gerryvz]

Lynch is getting a data card made tonight. Anyone else up for one, before I shut down production while away for 10 days?

 

[gerryvz]

1. outrbnks (2 500Es) -- completed, paid & mailed
2. 600Eric -- completed, paid & mailed
3. r44raven -- completed, paid & mailed
4. Lynch -- completed, paid & mailed
5. jaymanek -- completed, paid & mailed
6. zewok --completed, paid & mailed
7. skikrazey -- completed, paid & mailed

1. JC220
2. 036/199
3. Rudy
4. obiana
5. 500ESpain
6. bing
7. makemann
8. jeff0093
9. 500AMM
10. tomer
11. kinglaw
12. Euro 500
13. Stutz

 

[gerryvz]

Update to the above list. Lynch and jaymanek cards now completed.

I will now take a hiatus until February 18th, due to travel.

Thanks
Gerry

 

[skikrazey]

Hi Gerry,

Please add me to the data card list. 1993 500E WDBEA36E4BP903403.

Thank you!

 

[gerryvz]

Hi Gerry,

Please add me to the data card list. 1993 500E WDBEA36E4BP903403.

Thank you!

That is not a valid VIN number, according to MB.

 

[gsxr]

The B and P are mixed up. Try this:

WDBEA36E4PB903403

 

[gerryvz]

That works, and verified by several sources.

No cards will be completed until payment is received, via PayPal.

 

[gerryvz]

I managed to squeeze out two additional cards today - for zewok and skikrazey. They shall be sent out tonight.

 

[gerryvz]

Eight cards produced & shipped in the past few days. I’ll pick up where I left off later this month.

If you are not on the list, please let me know if you want to be. If you are on the list, please let me know If you are still interested or not so that I can prioritize and optimize for paying customers.

I’d like to hit the ground running when I get back and get the remaining backlog of data cards made, printed & shipped ASAP.

Thanks,
Gerry

1. outrbnks (2 500Es) -- completed, paid & mailed
2. 600Eric -- completed, paid & mailed
3. r44raven -- completed, paid & mailed
4. Lynch -- completed, paid & mailed
5. jaymanek -- completed, paid & mailed
6. zewok --completed, paid & mailed
7. skikrazey -- completed, paid & mailed

1. JC220 - production shortlist, 18-Feb
2. 036/199
3. Rudy
4. obiana
5. 500ESpain
6. bing
7. makemann
8. jeff0093
9. 500AMM - production shortlist, 18-Feb
10. tomer
11. kinglaw
12. Euro 500
13. Stutz
14. cole67

 

[500AMM]

Gerry - I am still interested and will gladly be on the list.

Thanks.

 

[outrbnks]

Data Cards Received

Gerry,

The Data Cards arrived in perfect condition today. I just opened up the package and I couldn't be more pleased. The quality is top shelf!

Thanks so much for offering this service to the forum members, it's very much appreciated.

Regards..Oscar

 

[gerryvz]

Glad they arrived safely. I hope others are as pleased. Thank you for the follow-up. Like I said, a better 500E accessory than a Porsche badge or license plate frame [emoji6]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gerryvz]

Current list with latest information. Production will start up again on 18-Feb. First mailing on 20-Feb (19-Feb is a US holiday).

1. JC220 (2 cards) - production shortlist, 18-Feb
2. 036/199
3. Rudy
4. obiana (2 cards) - production shortlist, 19-Feb
5. 500ESpain
6. bing
7. makemann - production shortlist, 18-Feb
8. jeff0093
9. 500AMM - production shortlist, 18-Feb
10. tomer
11. kinglaw
12. Euro 500
13. Stutz
14. cole67 - production shortlist, 18-Feb

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Spruce500e]

thanks for having me search for this Im happy to report I found my original didnt even know this existed. cool

 

[gerryvz]

Yes, often if you have your original maintenance booklet there will be an example of the card pasted to the rear cover.


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[gerryvz]

Other folks receive their cards yet? Arrived in good condition? I know for several folks internationally it may be a few more days.


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[skikrazey]

Received my cards! They are outstanding!!!! Thanks Gerry!!!!

 

[600Eric]

Other folks receive their cards yet? Arrived in good condition? I know for several folks internationally it may be a few more days.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Arrived this last week, LEGIT.

Thanks again Gerry​

 

[gerryvz]

Glad you received & like them. I wish I had a paper cutter like that, wow! The overseas guys should start getting their cards soon....


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[gerryvz]

Current list with latest information. Production will start up again on 18-Feb. First mailing on 20-Feb (19-Feb is a US holiday).

1. JC220 (2 cards) - production shortlist, 18-Feb
2. 036/199
3. Rudy
4. obiana (2 cards) - production shortlist, 19-Feb
5. 500ESpain
6. bing
7. makemann - production shortlist, 18-Feb
8. jeff0093
9. 500AMM - production shortlist, 18-Feb
10. tomer
11. kinglaw
12. Euro 500
13. Stutz
14. cole67 - production shortlist, 18-Feb

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Production resumes in 5.5 more days !!

 

[zewok]

Received today, great quality.
Thank you

 

[gerryvz]

Received today, great quality.
Thank you

Excellent. I’m glad that you are happy with the quality, and that they arrived all that way to France safely.

Hopefully the other European mailings are also arriving or have arrived safely.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gerryvz]

Production re-starts in 36 hours!!!


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[JC220]

Production re-starts in 36 hours!!!


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Are there any updates on the data card production Gerry?

 

[gerryvz]

I had to take a trip to San Francisco and Seattle the day after I got home from Hawaii, so I’ve been gone the past week. Good news is that I’ll be home in Maryland in about 10 hours....and ready to finish the cards in the queue.


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[gerryvz]

JC, your two data cards are DONE and SHIPPED to you now.

Here is the current production lineup. Several cards will be produced tonight.

1. outrbnks (2 500Es) -- completed, paid & mailed
2. 600Eric -- completed, paid & mailed
3. r44raven -- completed, paid & mailed
4. Lynch -- completed, paid & mailed
5. jaymanek -- completed, paid & mailed
6. zewok --completed, paid & mailed
7. skikrazey -- completed, paid & mailed
8. JC220 -- completed, paid & mailed

1. 036/199
2. Rudy
3. obiana (2 cards) - production shortlist, 28-Feb
4. 500ESpain
5. bing
6. makemann - production shortlist, 28-Feb
7. jeff0093
8. 500AMM - production shortlist, 28-Feb
9. tomer
10. kinglaw
11. Euro 500
12. Stutz
13. cole67 - production shortlist, 1-Mar

 

[r44raven]

For "International" orders - a "head's up" on shipping. It took almost 3 weeks for the "hard" copy of my data card to get from the US to the UK!

But when it arrived, it was well worth the wait!

Excellent work, Gerry!

Rgds, Stephen

 

[gerryvz]

Wow, that's amazing. It got to zewok in France in like, a week.

Could the NHS somehow be now running the Royal Mail system?!?

Any other non-US folks NOT receive their data cards? jaymanek? Lynch?

JC, please let me know when you get yours.

 

[JC220]

For "International" orders - a "head's up" on shipping. It took almost 3 weeks for the "hard" copy of my data card to get from the US to the UK!

But when it arrived, it was well worth the wait!

Excellent work, Gerry!

Rgds, Stephen

I have fairly regular small & large packages coming from USA (w124 parts!) and most arrive in around a week. But some can take up to 3 weeks. The reason? - Customs.

For example when i recently got the rear SA Calipers from Jeff UK customs held them for over a week before releasing them. 3 days to arrive in UK and they sat for 8 more days in London customs before they let them continue to my destination. And to add insult to injury they send a letter first for handling fee (about 15USD) + the import taxes which has to be paid before Royal Mail will even deliver the item. However, duties should not be applicable for the data cards, its likely they were just caught up in customs.

Gerry- yes I will let you know when I get my cards. I will be headed to Australia next week so they will go to my work address and I’ll get them on my return in a few weeks

 

[gerryvz]

OK. The cards don't require a customs form, because they are in a large/flat envelope. I don't have to fill out customs forms for documents only, just for a package/box with merchandise/goods inside. So, it shouldn't be a problem as it is just a large first-class letter.

But, definitely interested to hear how long it takes.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gerryvz]

Three more data cards shipped tonight.

I can now take a few more orders to put in the production queue.


Data Card Orders Completed

1. outrbnks (2 500Es) -- completed, paid & mailed
2. 600Eric -- completed, paid & mailed
3. r44raven -- completed, paid & mailed
4. Lynch -- completed, paid & mailed
5. jaymanek -- completed, paid & mailed
6. zewok --completed, paid & mailed
7. skikrazey -- completed, paid & mailed
8. JC220 -- completed, paid & mailed
9. makemann -- completed, paid & mailed
10. obiana (2 cards) -- completed, paid & mailed
11. SamSL -- completed, paid & mailed
12. Kip (2 cards) -- completed, paid & mailed
13. 500AMM-- completed, paid & mailed
14. cole67-- completed, paid & mailed
15. kinglaw -- completed, paid & mailed

Data Card Orders Reserved

1. 036/199
2. Rudy
3. 500ESpain
4. bing
5. tomer
6. Euro 500
7. Stutz

 

[gerryvz]

Production list updated, per above. Next mailing goes out tonight (Thursday).

I can take a few more orders for the queue as of now; please PM me.

10 data cards completed in the past 72 hours !!!

 

[gerryvz]

Status updated per above.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gerryvz]

I have had no response from folks on the "Orders Reserved" list below, despite their earlier desire expressed to commission a data card. Thus, I am now assuming that these folks no longer have an interest in obtaining a data card reproduction for their car(s).

Now that all cards have been produced (and the last ones are shipping today), I am going to ramp down production for the next 18-24 months. This means that no further cards will be produced for some time into the future.

I will keep production open for the next 48 hours, so if you do want a card, please let me know quickly so that I can get it produced before I shut down. To date, I have reproduced cards for W/C126, R107, and W124 models.
A sincere "Thank You" to everyone who has commissioned data cards, per the list below. I hope everyone is happy with them. Also please let me know if you have received yours, and if not I will re-send to you.

Cheers,
Gerry

Data Card Orders Completed

1. outrbnks (2 500Es) -- completed, paid & mailed
2. 600Eric -- completed, paid & mailed
3. r44raven -- completed, paid & mailed
4. Lynch -- completed, paid & mailed
5. jaymanek -- completed, paid & mailed
6. zewok --completed, paid & mailed
7. skikrazey -- completed, paid & mailed
8. JC220 -- completed, paid & mailed
9. makemann -- completed, paid & mailed
10. obiana (2 cards) -- completed, paid & mailed
11. SamSL -- completed, paid & mailed
12. Kip (2 cards) -- completed, paid & mailed
13. 500AMM-- completed, paid & mailed
14. cole67-- completed, paid & mailed
15. kinglaw-- completed, paid & mailed
16. bing-- completed, paid & mailed
17. Stutz-- completed, paid & mailed
18. 500ESpain -- completed, paid & mailed

Data Card Orders Requested

1. 036/199
2. Rudy
3. tomer
4. Euro 500

 

[cole67]

Got mine today Gerry. Excellent product, well packaged and quick shipment. Thanks for all your efforts!

One question what does 803 Change of model year mean? 12/92 build. That's about a mid year build for 93 right?

 

[gerryvz]

Glad you got it just fine. Others I mailed at the same time should be getting their data cards, as well. The last two cards are out and mailed.

"That's a wrap," for the foreseeable future.

 

[gerryvz]

One last data card has been scheduled for production later today, for 500ESpain.

 

[gerryvz]

One question what does 803 Change of model year mean? 12/92 build. That's about a mid year build for 93 right?

The code basically means that it should be considered to be a 1993 model year car from a technical/parts perspective, despite being produced in 1992.

The "3" in code "803" means that it is a 1993 model year car.

My own E500, which was produced in September, 1993 (so, a fairly early E500 facelift car), has code "804"....same thing, the "4" in the code means a 1994 model year car, despite the car being produced in 1993.

My 560SEC has a code of "809" on the data card, again in which the "9" signifies that it is a 1989 model year motorcar.

Note that the "official" MB model year changeover was traditionally September 1 of any given year. So yes, being built in December of 1992, would mean that your car was built well into the 1993 model year.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

Note that the "official" MB model year changeover was traditionally September 1 of any given year. So yes, being built in December of 1992, would mean that your car was built well into the 1993 model year.

I think the changeover varied, or perhaps it started moving earlier in the calendar year in the early/mid 1990's. I have owned several cars that did not follow the Sept-1 breakpoint. My 1994 E500 was produced on July 9, 1993 per the VMI, nearly two months prior to Sept-1. And, mine was not the earliest 1994 E500 produced by any means.

There are some more extreme exceptions as well, for example my 1987 300D was built in April 1986.

 

[gerryvz]

It may have varied depending on the model and such, but going back decades, the "traditional" model year changeover point was September 1. Also, various models were phased in/introduced at different times of the year at various worldwide auto shows, and so forth. That's why a certain model production could be phased in earlier or later than other models in the line-up that were being changed. There were also variances by plant (Sindelfingen, Bremen, Rastatt, Mannheim, Graz, and so forth).

This is because many Daimler-Benz workers would go on holiday (as is European custom) for much if not all of the month of August, and tooling and incremental "running change" items would be made during this time that the majority of workers were away.

When they would get back on/around Sept. 1, everything would be ready to go for the tweaks made.

This is all pretty well documented. It's not completely and absolutely set in stone, and given E500E production at a different site and by a different company, it could have been on a different schedule. But I'm talking about "traditional" Daimler-Benz production changeover dates -- a tradition that went back many many decades.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

This is all pretty well documented. It's not completely and absolutely set in stone, and given E500E production at a different site and by a different company, it could have been on a different schedule. But I'm talking about "traditional" Daimler-Benz production changeover dates -- a tradition that went back many many decades.

Ah, that makes sense. And I'm sure through the 1980's it was probably a pretty safe assumption.

However, I really believe this started going out the window in the early 1990's. Even my 1994 S500 (sold to a forum member last year) was built in July 1993, well before the previously-normal September-1 switch.

 

[gerryvz]

Ah, that makes sense. And I'm sure through the 1980's it was probably a pretty safe assumption.

However, I really believe this started going out the window in the early 1990's. Even my 1994 S500 (sold to a forum member last year) was built in July 1993, well before the previously-normal September-1 switch.

It was more of a traditional thing, but until fairly recent years, my understanding was that MB slowed production in the late summer as a lot of its workers were on holiday.

Initial production startup dates of the W124 variants was all over the map .... 124 sedans started very late in 1984, wagons very late in 1985, coupes in the spring of 1987 and convertibles in the spring of 1992. Heck, 123s were produced well into 1985, so there was a good half-year production overlap with 123s and 124s.

W210s started production in the mid-summer of 1995 ... again overlapping W124s at Sindelfingen by about a month or so.

 

[JC220]

To date, I have reproduced cards for W/C126, R107, and W124 models.

And one Singapore W140

 

[Lynch]

Gerry, it's been busy but I received the datacards a few weeks ago!

Absolutely stunning work, thank you!