[azzm3]

Hello im looking at a 1961 190db This is the sellers description
"For sale, 190 db. Diesel. 4 door, 4 speed on the column. Car has factory air and Blaupunkt radio. Engine is currently disasembled. Timing chain had slipped. Have all parts, Have new tailights and a few other new parts as well. Has clear title. Nice project car, have too many projects"
He wants $500 for it I talked to him and he said car is from texas and body does not have any major rust put floor pans will need some attention. Here are some pictures
Let me know what you guys think
Thank You

 

[carpenterman]

Even given the condition, and if it's structurally solid, that's a decent price. Of course, I'm assuming you have the stomach and the bank account to see the restoration through. Could be a $10k plus car if done right.

Ask the boys over at the Ponton group what they think:

ponton : International Ponton Owners Group (IPOG)

 

[ijiwaru]

$500 looks ok if all the other new parts come with the deal. As carpenterman said, you must have the stomach and the pockets to see the restoration through. Good luck!

 

[flyboyike]

$500 looks ok if all the other new parts come with the deal. As carpenterman said, you must have the stomach and the pockets to see the restoration through. Good luck!

Especially since in the end this will still be a car with 43hp. I mean, if that's what he wants, why not save the trouble and buy one that's already the best it will ever be?

Classic Live| Car offers

 

[ijiwaru]

Especially since in the end this will still be a car with 43hp. I mean, if that's what he wants, why not save the trouble and buy one that's already the best it will ever be?

Classic Live| Car offers

Agree! Unless one would like to go through the difficulties of the restoration itself. Parts will definitely be very difficult to find and, if available, will tend to be very expensive. The restored model being offered might end up cheaper in the long run.

 

[benzbernd]

I love old pontons and have once tried to restore one myself, gave it up after two years and lots of money spent on it. Did I get the investment back? Of course not. So if you allow me, here's my 2 cents:

If you are a mechanic or have a brother/cousin who is one and is willing to help you at no cost with plenty of time to spare for the project, you might want to go for it. And if you do, consider to spend north of $10 to $15K for definitely needed spares (by the look of the car). If you have a job like most of us and can only use your spare time, it will take you at least two years to finish the job. Most probably you might run out of steam half way.

If you are not a mechanic and your brother/cousin is neither, forget it NOW and walk away with a sane mind! To put it right via a third party, it will cost you at least two times the money you will need to buy a good one now. And remember, the good one now you can drive today. This project of yours needs plenty of time, plenty of stamina and most probably financial resources beyond your wildest imagination.

As I said, just my 2 cents

Bernd


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www.benz-books.com

 

[flyboyike]

I love old pontons and have once tried to restore one myself, gave it up after two years and lots of money spent on it. Did I get the investment back? Of course not. So if you allow me, here's my 2 cents:

If you are a mechanic or have a brother/cousin who is one and is willing to help you at no cost with plenty of time to spare for the project, you might want to go for it. And if you do, consider to spend north of $10 to $15K for definitely needed spares (by the look of the car). If you have a job like most of us and can only use your spare time, it will take you at least two years to finish the job. Most probably you might run out of steam half way.

If you are not a mechanic and your brother/cousin is neither, forget it NOW and walk away with a sane mind! To put it right via a third party, it will cost you at least two times the money you will need to buy a good one now. And remember, the good one now you can drive today. This project of yours needs plenty of time, plenty of stamina and most probably financial resources beyond your wildest imagination.

As I said, just my 2 cents

Bernd


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index

In fairness, the above is probably true of just about any classic car that has decayed to that condition. Rarely does a major restoration pay for itself, either from the purely financial standpoint or from that of time. The problem that I see here is that the result in this case will be a car that's not particularly good-looking, not especially comfortable and depressingly slow. If one is to go through the pain of a full restoration, the finished product should at least be somewhat enjoyable, which I don't see how this one would be.