Should I Rebuild a '79 450 SLC?

[dmorgan@nb.sympatico.ca]

I have an opportunity through an inheritance to pick up a 1979 450 SLC that is easily restored to an excellent mechanical condition (needs about $1500 work, which includes new brakes, tires, belts, etc.); the interior and chassis are in pretty good condition. The body, on the other hand, is in very bad shape. I have had a couple of quotes for around $6000 to have the body work done (requires complete teardown, refurbishing and reassembly) but the mechanical shop doesn't think that the car is worth in the order of $7500 in restoration. Any other thoughts or opinions?

Thanks

[BenzToy]

You say the body is in bad shape. If there is rust, the cost to completely restore may be much more than originally expected. Look around and I think you could find a car with fewer issues.

[Digmenow]

DM, if it was the other way around, no rust, iffy mechanicals, we'd probably say go for it. As it is, you're paying close to market price for a car with known rust issues. Will they come back?

Not sure where you're located but here's an example for sale in Los Angeles at oursl.com

1979 Mercedes-Benz SLC Los Angeles, CA, US, 107-2168 For Sale


$7500

[Jody]

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Don't do it for $6000.00 you should easily be able to get a pretty nice slc. If there's one spot of rust 9 outta 10 there's a lot more.

[page62]

No. Let somebody else mess with it.

Buy the best SL you can find with as much money as you can afford up front. We guarantee you'll be better off!

[Jody]

Originally Posted by page62

No. Let somebody else mess with it.

Buy the best SL you can find with as much money as you can afford up front. We guarantee you'll be better off!

^
What he said...

[ChiefRider]

Originally Posted by dmorgan@nb.sympatico.ca

I have an opportunity through an inheritance to pick up a 1979 450 SLC that is easily restored to an excellent mechanical condition (needs about $1500 work, which includes new brakes, tires, belts, etc.); the interior and chassis are in pretty good condition. The body, on the other hand, is in very bad shape. I have had a couple of quotes for around $6000 to have the body work done (requires complete teardown, refurbishing and reassembly) but the mechanical shop doesn't think that the car is worth in the order of $7500 in restoration. Any other thoughts or opinions?

Thanks

Unless this car holds a place near and dear to your heart, i.e. your dad taught you to drive, you got lucky that first time, it sounds like it's a parts car. On second thought, save the ashtray as a memento and put it in a nice SL. It is a parts car.

Chief

[ussun]

Go for it. All of a sudden all the works done and off you go in very own SLC. Believe me it's worth it.

Don't even think about value. It's the cruzin that matters.

[nobby]

Originally Posted by dmorgan@nb.sympatico.ca

I have an opportunity through an inheritance to pick up a 1979 450 SLC that is easily restored to an excellent mechanical condition (needs about $1500 work, which includes new brakes, tires, belts, etc.); the interior and chassis are in pretty good condition. The body, on the other hand, is in very bad shape. I have had a couple of quotes for around $6000 to have the body work done (requires complete teardown, refurbishing and reassembly) but the mechanical shop doesn't think that the car is worth in the order of $7500 in restoration. Any other thoughts or opinions?

Thanks

Or, you could have it given to you, put in your $1500 and drive the shit out of it.
Pretty cool $1500 car....rusty or not.

[Digmenow]

Originally Posted by nobby

Or, you could have it given to you, put in your $1500 and drive the shit out of it.
Pretty cool $1500 car....rusty or not.

I'm down with that!