Hello, my name is Jaka and I`m 20 years old Mercedes Benz lover. I really allready have this MB passion like all of you.
I was allways dreaming about a convertible like SL or SE convertibles, so i owuld like to know if someone maybe knows for a convertible Mercedes that was produced before 1970?
So I want to know if someone maybe knows for a MB convertible for sale, I`m looking for a project or decent driver.
I`m especially interested for so called Heckflosse convertibles, 220SE/280SE/280SE
I was saving a money for a really long time and now I`m decided that I will buy a convertible and restore it.
So I would be very grateful if someone can give me a tip where to look for a car like that or if someone maybe even know for it.
Sorry that I don't have an off-line convertible to sell you; however, I would suggest a couple of things: 1) Put your location in your profile, that is important. 2) Delete the second of "double posted" thread. [or Perhaps GermanStar will do that for you].
Also, for starters you might want to do a WTB post to the "For Sale, Trade and Wanted Items" forum as well. "Hemmings" at times has this type of car for sale in various states of restoration. Bear in mind that an off-line convertible is going to be expensive in terms of money, time, or both. There are no "free lunches".
If you are looking for a 1961-1971 W111 chassis convertible (220SE, 250SE or 280SE) that is in need of a full restoration, you can expect to pay a minimum of $25k (220SE) and up to $40k for a 280SE convertible (and even more if it has a 3.5 V8). Nice drivers or restored versions start at $35k and go up to $120k. These cars are probably out of your league.
You can get in for much less with a 1965-1971 W113 230, 250 or 280SL. Nice drivers can be had for $25-$30k. Probably your best choice - smaller and less complicated and MB made a lot of them.
Finally, the 1955-1963 W121 190SL's are slightly higher than the W113 SL's, but are older and much harder to find parts for and much more expensive to restore than the W113 SL's.
However you go, you are going to spend a minimum of $25k for a restoration project/driver and probably that much more in a good restoration. Plan on a total investment of $30-$45k and tons of of sweat equity in your presonal time.
I strongly suggest you spend a substantial amount of time learning about the three chassis mentioned above and what is involved in owning/restoring each of them. You cannot afford to make a poor purchase. Seek out owners of all three chassis convertibles and pick their brains about what to look for and what to avoid. To be honest, BenzWorld isn't the best forum for the 1950's to 1960's MB's. You need to find and get to know experts. I have a 1961 W111 coupe (not the convertible) show car and get little advice from this vintage forum. Sadly, I find Mercedes-Benz to be somewhat indifferent to the classic MB cars of the 1950's-1960's. Everyone knows about the 300SL Gullwing/Roadster, but I just don't find MBZ to really embrace the older chassis. They have opened the Mercedes Classic Center in Irvine, CA and one in Germany, so they are trying, but parts are very expensive from the dealer for these older chassis, leaving many owners to the vagaries of Ebay. You have to be patient and diligent to find key parts at good prices. I also hope you are good with tools and taking things apart and replacing/installing new parts - these skills will save you a ton of money and be rewarding as well. Go for originality and resist the tempation to compromise - I see many 1960 MB's with alloy wheels from the 1970's that look awful (example).
. Sadly, I find Mercedes-Benz to be somewhat indifferent to the classic MB cars of the 1950's-1960's. Everyone knows about the 300SL Gullwing/Roadster, but I just don't find MBZ to really embrace the older chassis. They have opened the Mercedes Classic Center in Irvine, CA and one in Germany, so they are trying, but parts are very expensive from the dealer for these older chassis, leaving many owners to the vagaries of Ebay. You have to be patient and diligent to find key parts at good prices. I also hope you are good with tools and taking things apart and replacing/installing new parts - these skills will save you a ton of money and be rewarding as well. Go for originality and resist the tempation to compromise - I see many 1960 MB's with alloy wheels from the 1970's that look awful (example).
Good luck.
Mercedes has it's own Ebay site. Because there have been more than a few vendors selling alleged Mercedes parts made in china . eBay Store - Mercedes-Benz Classic Center: Parts Accessories, eBay Motors
This is a link to a manufacturer in Germany making "mercedes" parts. 广州欧纯贸易有限公司-产品
It's unfortunate that the above poster finds Mercedes indifferent to him regarding his car. my experience over 30 years has been the exact opposite. The man to speak with in Irvine is Tom Hanson. Aknowledged world wide as a true expert on pre 1980 Mercedes cars and parts.
The big thing is to join a Mercedes Club in your location.
Mercedes also publish their own classic magazine ,available in German and English from Germany.This a high quality publication packed with lots of info from cars to Mercedes Benz tractors.
I own a '59 220S cabriolet and find Mercedes parts support to be outstanding. Prices, although not cheap, are not outrageous for routine maintenance items. The mere fact that I can walk into any Mercedes dealer and buy pretty much any part I want for a fifty year old car is pretty impressive I think. We have a group of about 700 of us ponton owners and support among the members of that group is quite good too. See Mercedes-Benz Pontons (1953-1962) www.mbzponton.org for all you'd ever want to know.
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