For many enthusiasts, a classic Mercedes-Benz is more than just a car, it's a member of the family. Now, Mercedes-Benz is giving owners a new way to celebrate that bond with an official “Birth Certificate.” Currently available only in Germany, the $150 document details a vehicle's original factory specifications for models built between January 1, 1986, and December 31, 2010. Think of it as a factory-issued record of how your Mercedes left the assembly line.
The Mercedes-Benz Classic Birth Document, as the company officially calls it, includes key information pulled directly from Mercedes-Benz archives. Data pulled includes the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), model, ship date, original paint color, engine and transmission numbers, factory-installed options, and interior trim specifications. For collectors, restorers, and prospective buyers, it's an invaluable piece of documentation that helps verify a car's originality.
View Price on AmazonThis being Mercedes-Benz, you can expect the birth document to be printed on high-quality paper inside a specially designed folder with the company crest embossed on the outside. This document is not a certificate of authenticity, however, and no claims are made regarding the originality, condition or value of the vehicle.
Still, whether you own a W124 E-Class, R129 SL-Class, W140 S-Class, or something else, the document can help answer questions that decades of ownership changes and modifications may have left behind. If you’re undertaking a restoration project, this document could be helpful to determine the correct paint code, interior materials, or optional equipment. Or you could just use it as a special keepsake.
Source: roadandtrack.com
