Code 997 stationary car for use on exhibition

[evilgoat]

Im going to have a look at a car tomorrow that a friend is interested in buying. The Russian MB VIN site threw this code up which Ive never seen before and googling is no help:

997 stationary car for use on exhibition (body and engine made ready for exhibition) (с 01.01.1962)

Just curious, anyone know what it refers to?

Full VIN info:

Model 320 CE / E 320 / E36 AMG
Chassis 1240522B828726
Engine 104992 22 000091
Transmission 722503 03 760250
Order 0 2 537 99216
Lights BOSCH
Wiper BOSCH
Cab 00004
Delivery date 07.10.92
Dealer Great Britain (537)
Interior leather black or anthracite (261)
Paint
199 metallic blue-black (с 01.01.1983)
Options
240 outside temperature indicator (с 01.03.1982)
241 left front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
242 right front seat electrically adjustable with memory feature. only applicable to series w 210 when installed in conjunction with code 275. (с 01.03.1983)
260 elimination of model designation on rear lid (с 01.05.1968)
281 trunk set, (280 SL)
steering wheel with sports design (390 mm dia.) and gearshift lever in leather trim (с 01.05.1990)
steering wheel (390 mm) with sports design (с 01.03.1989)
300 storage box in front tray (с 01.05.1988)
301 storage box in the rear (с 01.05.1988)
341 additional lamp (с 01.09.1982)
362
412 electric sliding roof with tilting device (с 01.07.1983)
425 5-speed automatic transmission (с 01.02.1988)
430 headrests in the rear (с 01.01.1977)
443 tempomat (cruise control), and steering column, electrically adjustable (с 01.07.1984)
461 instrument with mileage reading and english lettering (с 01.04.1990)
531 automatic antenna (с 01.01.1963)
543 sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (с 01.11.1978)
570 folding armrest front w202/210 stowage box front with armrest (с 01.04.1970)
front folding armrest w202 - housing at front with armrest
580 air conditioner/Tempmatic (с 01.11.1982)
592 heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, laminated safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
600 headlamp wiper/washer (с 01.08.1971)
613 lamp unit, asymmetrical, l.h. traffic (с 01.02.1963)
620 emission control system
vehicles with catalyst technique (с 01.03.1985)
645 M+S tires (с 01.10.1963)
664 10 liters of fuel and mode of packing VE III (с 01.01.1979 по 30.06.1993)
754 Becker radio Grand Prix 2000 (с 01.06.1990 по 31.03.1994)
772 amg styling package - front spoiler, side skirts and rear apron (с 02.01.1992)
773 3-piece rear spoiler (с 01.01.1992 по 30.09.1996)
774 Shell modification for AMG-wheels
785 8,5 x 17 et30 235/45, 3-piece (с 01.01.1992)
855 telephone TELE-AID, Nokia, D-net
873 seat heater for left and right front seats (с 01.02.1984)
880 closing system with infrared remote control (с 01.02.1988)
997 stationary car for use on exhibition (body and engine made ready for exhibition) (с 01.01.1962)

And a pic:

 

[fuzzer]

at a guess id say some sort of motorshow car or similar

 

[corned]

I'll take a guess that this means that it was marked out for 'special attention' when going down the production line, ready for the exhibition mentioned. Extra care on everything, bits a little more polished than normal, jubilee clips all lined up along the hoses, fingerprints dusted off, etc etc. Maybe taken off the end of the line and sent to a detailing workshop. And so on.

Also, possibly not filled with any fluids initially so as not to risk drips on the exhibition floor?

 

[evilgoat]

Just about to head off to check this beast out. Any tips on faults to look for? I know a little about W202s and the M104 but next to nothing about W124s in general.