Restoring an 8,000 Mile 2.3-16

[lomtevas]

This is the major dent on the hood.

[lomtevas]

Here is a sample of the damaged versus new enigma about the car.

The fuel door is a bit pushed in as if someone kicked it. It opens normally and has a cloudy look to its finish. I suppose someone spilled something on it. However, the surrounding area looks pristine.

A look at the rear star area reveals absolutely new looking paint and except for a little wax residue, the third brake light area looks new.

[lomtevas]

Originally Posted by 1987190E2.6

Just guessing because this happened to mine, but you mentioned that your ABS light is on, and the OVP is Shot. Maybe as soon as you replace the OVP, that ABS light will magically be off?

I hope the OVP will trickle down to other components and make them work.

Also I apologize for the confusion I created by mentioning the ABS light which indeed is on all the time with the SRS connecting cable. I am incorrect as to this cable. It works correctly because the SRS light is off when the motor is running.

[Ruudje]

Nice find Lom! Keep us posted.

[dbtk]

Great find! I miss my 1986 2.3-16. It was one of the most enjoyable cars to drive. Not too fast but very engaging to drive. Have fun with it!

[lomtevas]

Car insurance is set. The vehicle is now insured in New York State.

Anyone remember the web site that reveals manufacturing data of a Benz given its VIN?

[94Wagenmeister]

Originally Posted by lomtevas

Car insurance is set. The vehicle is now insured in New York State.

Anyone remember the web site that reveals manufacturing data of a Benz given its VIN?

You mean the Russian VIN decoder?

Mercedes-Benz Club Russia | Mercedes-Benz / VIN

BTW - nice find.

[GWanted]

Originally Posted by lomtevas

This is tough to answer simply.

The car floored me in 98 out of 100 aspects. I never imagined I would be sitting inside of a time capsule from 1986. The interior is a shocker and the drive train is so sound that I was able to chirp the tires on a popped clutch acceleration. The paint is gorgeous despite the nicks.

The only real disappointment I had was that the fuel delivery system was tampered with and the car has a hard time starting. Helms Brothers Mercedes will get the job of restoring the fuel delivery system starting this upcoming weekend.

The second disappointment is that the minor flooding ruined the starboard side front carpeting. There is a strong moldy smell from that area for which I will replace the carpeting.

Everything else is a delight.

The anticipated final cost is unknown. If I discover the block is cracked in half, that'll add to the cost. I believe the block is not cracked because I have the ear of a seventeen year owner of a 2.3, so I believe my assessment that the motor is ready to reenter service life is sound.

Paint and body work may be peanuts because there is not one bit of evidence that this car was ever in any kind of accident, so the body may be a low cost concern.

I'm apologetic that I jumped in line for its purchase. It seemed the car was gone before I could finish negotiating for it, but I was wrong. The seller and I hit a common figure, and I paid and he delivered the car.

I'm glad that it went to someone that knows about these vehicles and is bringing it back to showroom condition.

You didn't jump in line to buy it. You were ready and able to make the purchase and I wasn't at the time.

I hope that enjoy the restoration process. I know that you will enjoy the result.

[lomtevas]

Originally Posted by GWanted

I'm glad that it went to someone that knows about these vehicles and is bringing it back to showroom condition.

You didn't jump in line to buy it. You were ready and able to make the purchase and I wasn't at the time.

I hope that enjoy the restoration process. I know that you will enjoy the result.

Okay. I am glad there are no hard feelings.

Bought $2,500 in parts. It's a grab bag of hoses, clamps and stuff to restore the cooling system. Radiator, water pump, auxiliary heating system pump and heater core to follow if necessary.

[lomtevas]

Originally Posted by 94Wagenmeister

You mean the Russian VIN decoder?

Mercedes-Benz Club Russia | Mercedes-Benz / VIN

BTW - nice find.

Here's the manufacturing data on the car:

Model 190 E 2.3-16
Chassis 2010341F163893
Engine 102983 10 009957
Transmission 717404 00 010323
Order 0 5 705 09983
Approx. year not defined
Lights BOSCH
Cab 03053
Dealer United States (USA) (705)
Interior leather black / anthracite (271)
Paint
199 metallic blue-black (с 01.01.1983)
71 Unknown code
Options
222 right front seat, electrically adjustable (с 01.11.1978) first aid kit (с 01.11.1962 по 30.09.1970)
240 outside temperature indicator (с 01.03.1982) second spare wheel (с 01.01.1964 по 28.02.1973)
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) wood rims (с 01.01.1964 по 31.08.1971)
410 electric sliding roof (с 01.03.1965 по 29.02.1988)
444 bumper, rear, with license plate higher than 152 mm (с 01.02.1967 по 31.08.1971) tempomat (cruise control) and airbag (с 01.02.1980 по 31.10.1993)
467 central locking system and instruments with english lettering (с 01.04.1970 по 31.10.1993)
461 + 462 + 463 (с 01.07.1968 по 31.08.1969)
491 USA version (с 01.01.1963)
506 outside rear view mirror, left, electrically adjustable and heated (с 01.07.1983 по 30.09.1983). outside rear view mirrors, left and right (с 01.01.1963 по 31.07.1971), outside rear view mirror, left and right, heated (electrically adjustable on the right) (l.h.d.) (с 01.10.1983 по 31.03.1989), outside rear view mirror, right, convex, taxi export version
501 + 509 (с 01.08.1971 по 30.04.1974)
519 Becker radio Grand Prix electronic cassette - USA (с 01.08.1980 по 30.11.1990), Becker radio Grand Prix LW/MW/SW/USW - USA (с 01.01.1963 по 29.02.1972), Becker radio Grand Prix stereo MW/USW - USA (с 01.10.1972 по 31.12.1976), Becker radio Mexico Grand Prix, electronic (USA)
531 automatic antenna (с 01.01.1963)
543 exhaust-pipe cover trim (с 01.01.1963 по 28.02.1963), seat adapter between the front seats, and halogen lamp unit (с 01.01.1967 по 31.12.1972), sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right (с 01.11.1978)
551 anti-theft warning system (с 01.11.1978 по 31.03.1998), anti-theft/anti-break-in warning system with anti-towing system (с 01.04.1998), steering wheel, ivory-colored (с 01.01.1963 по 31.05.1973)
586 Behr air conditioner, and electric window lifters (front and rear doors) (с 01.04.1970)
593 headlamp flasher and turn signal lamps - italy (с 01.01.1963 по 31.07.1965), headlamp flasher and turn signal lamps, front, crystal clear (с 01.08.1965 по 31.01.1967), heat-insulating glass, rear window pane (с 01.02.1967 по 31.01.1971), heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (single-sheet safety glass), band filter, green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, single pane safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
639 radial-ply tires, elimination of warning triangle (с 01.11.1973 по 31.10.1974), elimination of first-aid box and warning triangle (с 01.08.1977)
806 Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year
876 interior light assembly (с 01.10.1997), rear door contacts and lamp above rear window (с 01.07.1964 по 31.10.1993), auxiliary rear interior lighting (с 01.06.1963 по 31.01.1964)