Totally new to this site and MB in general, so please pardon my ignorance on these topics...
My husband traded his perfectly fine *RUNNING* car for a non-running-has-been-sitting-for-God-only-knows-how-many-years 1967 230S -- not an SL, an "S." And not a wagon.
As a young wife and mother of a nine-month-old, I'm sure you can understand that I am slightly nervous about taking on this endeavor. We've never restored anything, much less a vintage, luxury automobile.
I know next to nothing about this car, except that it was a limited edition test-market something-of-some- sort, and that there are only very few in the United States. I can also tell you that the driver's side floor board is completely rusted out -- gone. Just like Fred Flintstone's car. The carpet and seats are almost destryed, and there have been birds nesting in the engine.
The person we got it from told us it needed a fuel tank and pump. My husband wants to start taking it apart and putting GM parts in it. The few Mercedes fans we've met have told us it would be a travesty to do so because it's (apparently) such a rare model.
Can anyone even begin to give any advice on where to start with a car like this?
As a side note, three days after we pushed this car into our driveway, a neighbor knocked on our door and offered us a 1966 230SL for $250. My husband, of course, jumped on it, and now we have two non-functioning classic MB's in our driveway. (This one apparently just needs a carburetor adjustment -- it's in much better condition than the '67)
Anyway, I would very much appreciate any advice anyone has to offer. Thanks for your time.
Totally new to this site and MB in general, so please pardon my ignorance on these topics...
My husband traded his perfectly fine *RUNNING* car for a non-running-has-been-sitting-for-God-only-knows-how-many-years 1967 230S -- not an SL, an "S." And not a wagon.
As a young wife and mother of a nine-month-old, I'm sure you can understand that I am slightly nervous about taking on this endeavor. We've never restored anything, much less a vintage, luxury automobile.
I know next to nothing about this car, except that it was a limited edition test-market something-of-some- sort, and that there are only very few in the United States. I can also tell you that the driver's side floor board is completely rusted out -- gone. Just like Fred Flintstone's car. The carpet and seats are almost destryed, and there have been birds nesting in the engine.
The person we got it from told us it needed a fuel tank and pump. My husband wants to start taking it apart and putting GM parts in it. The few Mercedes fans we've met have told us it would be a travesty to do so because it's (apparently) such a rare model.
Can anyone even begin to give any advice on where to start with a car like this?
As a side note, three days after we pushed this car into our driveway, a neighbor knocked on our door and offered us a 1966 230SL for $250. My husband, of course, jumped on it, and now we have two non-functioning classic MB's in our driveway. (This one apparently just needs a carburetor adjustment -- it's in much better condition than the '67)
Anyway, I would very much appreciate any advice anyone has to offer. Thanks for your time.
Dear Elusive,
I'm afraid, your husband has contracted the Old Benz Virus. He will live, but the disease is, unfortunately, incurable.
As for restoring the car, if time is not an issue, you can find all the right parts and, after a TON of work, have quite a cool car (or two).
I have to let you know that your husband will need a lot of support in this difficult time.
Hope this helps.
Ike
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RE: Nightmare in my Driveway
You sound exactly like our wives..........Go and never darken our doors again [:D]. Just kidding. Putting GM parts would be the worst thing to do imho. Nothing against GM but it rather defeats the purpose of restoring a Benz does it not? Fix the second beater first, throw a tarp over the first clunker and spend your weekends working on it. You can find a lot of parts here on Benzworld and also on Ebay. Welcome.
Please post some pics, I want an old SL so bad I can taste it! $250?.......I just spent that amount for the dealer to change 2 fuses![:(!]
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-Pointless liar and inventor of the Bizzy Buzz Buzz.
Oh, no. Crouton, my heart goes out to you. Not all cars are restorable. Correction, not all cars are restorable at a cost remotely related to their restored value.
It's possible to sink yourself financially by trying to restore the wrong car. (See my partially restored convertible at left.) Restoration can be fantastically expensive, and unless your hubby is an absolute wizard (and I mean the supernatural kind), the plan to install GM parts sounds woefully naïve.
The good news is that the new SL, on the other hand, will actually be worth something when it's fixed up.
Thanks, everyone. I do feel slightly better now. And I apoligize for being *THAT WIFE*.
I will take some pictures in the morning and get them posted -- maybe someone can tell me if this is a fruitless endeavor or not.
By the way, my husband, though lacking in knowledge specific to this situation, is the general manager of an Autozone, so all is not completely lost. Even though he is not mechanically advanced, he has quite a few employees who seem to be willing to assist (no welders, however, willing to take on severe rust).
I appreciate the comments and suggestions -- I'll see what I can do about posting some pics. Thanks!
I would say that you and my wife should talk, but she doesn't know we have a Benz in the garage yet! I had the flatbed deliver it right in through the far end garage door while she was at work friday. I'm hoping she won't find it until after I can get it running at least. Since she never goes into my "junk room" (the garage), it shouldn't be too heard to keep it hidden for now. I just have to keep my 5 year old from tattling on me like he did on the last "project" I dragged home.
An SL for only $250! yikes that sounds like a deal, if all it really needs is a carb to get it back on the road you guys got one heck of a deal. As for the GM parts if your husband decides to go along with the plan to bastardize the car with GM parts bound and gag him long enough so that we can come and rescue the car[:)]
Good luck with the new Benzs and once you drive one of them you will probably fall in love with the timeless elegance of the car not to mention it stands out and doesn't look like every other car on the road.
A 250 S ,what are the the first three numbers on the VIN,108? If so, it's not a rare car and i would have no qualms about repowering it with a chev motor, gear box and Ford 9" inch diff.
The old 250 was a dog that broke cranks if pushed too hard.Plus the 108 Chassis car will need new front end mounting bushes,Kingpins,inner arm bushes etc etc .
BUT,the SL..... now that is worth spending your childs colledge fund on.
Here,in OZ, any SL is worth 5 figures minimum.
Have a look at any Car magazine and see how much those SL gems are worth.....[:)][:)][8D]
Use the 250 to raise money for the SL by selling parts on Ebay...I do it ,it works but i end up spending more than i make..[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
I bought my 1975 230 4cyl gas mercedes "4 door" plain jane for $200.00 Drug it home rebuilt the carb, new calipers and brake pads. Hopped in it and Ive driven it for 3 years.Nothing compares to shuting the door on a mercedes it sounds"so good" good luck with your project,s restore both, it will bring you two a closness that is hard to find. Do it together. Kp
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