Yikes...I just bought an '83 500sec...

Hey thanks for running the VIN so fast! It's a convoluted mess right now. Guy said it was "euro" (yes, I've learned that is key word for modified by anybody but Merc/AMG lol). I want to go Gen 1 route I think. What all do I need? And can it be retrofitted with a 5-speed tranny (manual). I did some quick research on ebay germany and it seems they are saying the 5-speeds from a 190e 2.6 will bolt up. Does that make any sense at all?

What is a good place to get all the wood re-finished and matching? I want all the AMG interior wood also. There is none on ebay/ebay.de right now. Just some chinese crap that won't match anything else in the car.

A true euro car should have...what a16 character VIN? 99% of all "euro" Mercs I see are a mess of aftermarket crap, .8% are destroyed beyond repair, and .2% are in good shape--its such a shame.

Thanks for the tip about the tranny. I will search up tomorrow (hoping I have time to do lots of reading in the near future here).

How about those Recaro seats? Were those ever used in the gen 1's?

It's duraflex that's the problem. I have yet to see a car (any car) with a duraflex body kit of any kind that's not warped or cost thousands upon thousands to fit right--and only marginally right even at that point. Duraflex to me is like armor all. I wouldn't let either touch a merc of mine. Am I wrong about it?

Hahah well that's true it is a want but... Well what direction do you want to see me go with the car?

Thank you very, very much for the wood resto link. I saw that thread but couldn't find it in all the commotion last night. I do have a set of burl door centers coming from Germany. I figure I'll source all the wood and that outfit can re-do tue entire mess so that it will match up.