[bowker36]

Hi All,
just thought i would send some pics and some info for the 380sl just bought off fleebay. I know it's my fault i never checked the car before purchase! trouble is I thought with a bit of welding and TLC it would be back on the road. Unfortunately that is not the case, i could not have found a worse example of an SL. the only good things are the upper body panels and the engine. I have uploaded some pics so you can see the damage.

My main concern is the front cowl where the blower is this, part is rotten. everything else is not too bad.
Is there anyone who knows were to resource panels for this car, in Australia, or will i have to go looking in other countries?

Any help of any description will be appreciated!

 

[jplinville]

Wow...just, wow.

 

[Fotografa]

Nice to see another Aussie getting on here. Is it rude to ask what you paid? Was the stats of the car mentioned in the eBay listing?

I can help with parts, no problem. Shoot me a PM.

I used to live up your way a good 15 years ago.

All the panels are available, it just comes down to price.

 

[bowker36]

Sl basket case

hi there, I paid $7000 for the car. it was displayed as having rust in the sills and i bit of work required. it is an English import. I should have known at that price! i was so close to having it inspected before purchase. So stupid, the rust holes have been filled with expander foam in the front two wheel arches!

I'm in the process of dismantling at the moment just to see the extent of the rust.
the +
foot well's Ok
all painted panels are good
engine runs smooth
underside seems ok

the -
sills
front left inner wheel arch
boot floor corners
firewall blower and cowl

thanks for your reply

 

[leadgunner]

OUCH!! That hurts!
Thats a parts car sure hope you did not pay much for it.
Good luck
Bob

 

[bowker36]

hi there,
sorry to be a pain, but did you get my previous message, i am trying to locate some panels if possible.

 

[petesmga]

Try these guys -

K&K Manufacturing - Antique / Vintage Mercedes Parts

 

[isthisdave]

hi there,
sorry to be a pain, but did you get my previous message, i am trying to locate some panels if possible.

You might shoot Fotografa a PM. He's in Oz, and has some experience getting stuff brought in.

 

[benreal]

Yah rust is a bummer but so is a failed subframe, blown engine or transmission.

Remember It's fixable and the old saying 6 of one half dozen of the other. at least you can see the issue and address it. The rust on either side of the rockers are actually pretty common in fact most SL/SLC have at least a little rust in the rocker area but they just can't see it this is a design flaw that just never got addressed.

So don't beat yourself up the deal is done, you can fix her and make it like new again. Fotografa is your best local contact.

Good luck with you project!

Cheers!

 

[rowdie]

Try these guys -

K&K Manufacturing - Antique / Vintage Mercedes Parts

Is that a joke? They are.

 

[FlyboyHCH]

Ordered quite some parts at K&K, even hard to find parts which were not on displayed online.....
Good company if you ask me.

 

[Werner W]

Ah, I'm having flash backs.

That rusted cowl is really scary. The cowl can be replaced, I've seen that section once for sale on Ebay.

 

[ChiefRider]

Good luck with that- research Werner's thread; It'll help.

Why is it so common for people to spend real money on a roach of an SL (sorry, just sayin') and for a few bucks more, they'll put you through the ringer for a genuinely top quality example?:surrender:

 

[bowker36]

380SL basket case

Thanks for your input!
I'm in the middle of trying to get the dash out, sucks big time eh! What does all these wires do?

are the most body panels on an SLC same size as SL it might be possible to find a donor car at the local scrap yard I'll have a look.

Cheers

 

[rowdie]

Doors and entire front are the same as an SL.

 

[Ears]

Doors and entire front are the same as an SL.

But I believe the glass in the doors is different...

 

[benreal]

Good luck with that- research Werner's thread; It'll help.

Why is it so common for people to spend real money on a roach of an SL (sorry, just sayin') and for a few bucks more, they'll put you through the ringer for a genuinely top quality example?:surrender:

Unfortunately many sellers hide the real nasty stuff so the buyer thinks they are getting a deal. On ebay I a see alot of good 20 footer shots so you don't really see the detail of what your buying. The honest sellers usually have closeups of the nasty stuff to make sure you know what your buying.

It could be alot worse!

Hey, its all water under the bridge now; time to get on it and fix it!

Cheers!

 

[rowdie]

Ordered quite some parts at K&K, even hard to find parts which were not on displayed online.....
Good company if you ask me.

Their prices are too high. They charge MB retail for the same part you can get from on line MB dealers for about 20% less. The Classic Center is less if you are an MBCA member and they also can get hard to find parts.

 

[FlyboyHCH]

Their prices are too high. They charge MB retail for the same part you can get from on line MB dealers for about 20% less. The Classic Center is less if you are an MBCA member and they also can get hard to find parts.

Thanx Rowdie, had not noted the difference in pricing yet.....