1950's Merc SL - Bringing her back to life (and up to date)
Discussion
Seriously 
too
Finished.... ahhhh sadly no... no, nope, no 
The horrendous winter coupled with some other big things means that its been another v.slow stretch... but the sun is out today!
I have to admit that I keep thinking this thread is dying, but its nice to see some bookmarks + motivating comments. Sorry that progress and updates are rare. I still use the thread as my person image bible when asked about the car - so it does get checked every now and again... and probably always will i guess.
I've had all the later merc 14" wheels sorted + I now have fitted the white walls to them too (just last week!).
The older style roof (with the smaller window) is now painted, and the new headliner arrived today too. I've also got the glass back from the tinter for this hardtop.
The rear bumper is currently being re-plated (ouch, those bumpers cost alot, and I mean a lot).
The pillars are painted, screen fitted + in-ish - and the engine is hanging from its shiny new engine hoist... which sits next to the the best big of kit I've ever purchased - a spaceheater! I wish I'd got one 3 years ago.
Front brakes are all dissembled and I've got the shoes back from re-lining.
New seat springs (backs and bases) are now in - and I've made the canvas covers (had to draft in help from my mum to sow them up). I have heated seat pads too (but they arrived a long time ago).
Chrome wing 'eyebrows' arrived and partially fitted (another very expensive part)
Headlight rings have been now been re-plated + new light units arrived (as well as some amazing LED units for the TVR.... anyway I digress).
Still in the office, and only have images of the roof and wheels on this machine - but I'll put in some more hours, and then get all the snaps up.
The horrendous winter coupled with some other big things means that its been another v.slow stretch... but the sun is out today!
I have to admit that I keep thinking this thread is dying, but its nice to see some bookmarks + motivating comments. Sorry that progress and updates are rare. I still use the thread as my person image bible when asked about the car - so it does get checked every now and again... and probably always will i guess.
I've had all the later merc 14" wheels sorted + I now have fitted the white walls to them too (just last week!).
The older style roof (with the smaller window) is now painted, and the new headliner arrived today too. I've also got the glass back from the tinter for this hardtop.
The rear bumper is currently being re-plated (ouch, those bumpers cost alot, and I mean a lot).
The pillars are painted, screen fitted + in-ish - and the engine is hanging from its shiny new engine hoist... which sits next to the the best big of kit I've ever purchased - a spaceheater! I wish I'd got one 3 years ago.
Front brakes are all dissembled and I've got the shoes back from re-lining.
New seat springs (backs and bases) are now in - and I've made the canvas covers (had to draft in help from my mum to sow them up). I have heated seat pads too (but they arrived a long time ago).
Chrome wing 'eyebrows' arrived and partially fitted (another very expensive part)
Headlight rings have been now been re-plated + new light units arrived (as well as some amazing LED units for the TVR.... anyway I digress).
Still in the office, and only have images of the roof and wheels on this machine - but I'll put in some more hours, and then get all the snaps up.
Edited by piscola90 on Thursday 18th April 18:10
pmanson said:
Led units for the tvr? Do tell....
Did I say TVR...? maybe I meant 190SL.
... dont worry, I did say TVR - I thought it would be a simple 'plug and play job' but it turned out to be a custom nightmare which took me off the SL for a whole weekend (with much swearing). They look really fantastic though - and now I can see in the dark! I'll take some snaps.
Edited by piscola90 on Friday 19th April 14:51
I'm not sure about my skill/workmanship (your own work can never 'perfection')... but its amazing what you can learn from forums, youtube and google. I've learnt alot - and made alot of mistakes along the way.
On the paint - its a good point, and I'm like minded... but you do become numb to it after a while. Mistakes do happen, and it leads to a very dressing day. Thankfully I've not had any serious mishaps. I keep it covered as much as possible though.
Here are couple of shots I had on my phone of the engine in its current state:
If there are any Lotus enthusiasts, then you've missed a trick, as there is a car above thats a '1 of 2'.
On the paint - its a good point, and I'm like minded... but you do become numb to it after a while. Mistakes do happen, and it leads to a very dressing day. Thankfully I've not had any serious mishaps. I keep it covered as much as possible though.
Here are couple of shots I had on my phone of the engine in its current state:
If there are any Lotus enthusiasts, then you've missed a trick, as there is a car above thats a '1 of 2'.
Edited by piscola90 on Friday 19th April 15:04
Here is some of my latest work on the car - the full restoration of an 'early style' hardtop. I prefer the look of the smaller window - so I may just store my other top.
I tried dying the original headliner - to avoid the task of learning how to replace it... and that went horribly wrong - so i brought a new headliner and installed soundproofing (keeping the original horse hair in place), as well as restoring the rusted support bars.
The dynomat worked a treat - it was placed everywhere that sounded like a steel drum - which was most places!
I tried dying the original headliner - to avoid the task of learning how to replace it... and that went horribly wrong - so i brought a new headliner and installed soundproofing (keeping the original horse hair in place), as well as restoring the rusted support bars.
The dynomat worked a treat - it was placed everywhere that sounded like a steel drum - which was most places!
Edited by piscola90 on Monday 6th May 01:18
Edited by piscola90 on Monday 6th May 01:22
Thanks guys! I can't wait to get that hardtop on the car - its going to look lovely. I'm just waiting for one rubber before I can place it on top.
Here is a bit more leather work. Its unfinihed, but its the section that the soft top is stored in - I had to wait for more leather to come over from the states.
Here is a bit more leather work. Its unfinihed, but its the section that the soft top is stored in - I had to wait for more leather to come over from the states.
This is a job that I have utterly disliked - its very tricky, and no windscreen place would take it on. The chrome frame was badly pitted, so that when off to be replated. The screen was cracked - so I ordered a replacement, along with new rubbers. I can't stress how frustrating this job is - first you must remove all the wax from the rubbers (left from the moulds), then you fill the rubber and the frame with dumb dumb. You then work the rubber onto the glass, then work the frame onto the rubber (and none of it wants to stay together). Once you are closer, you then need to put tension straps over the screen to pull the frame into place. Too much tension and you crack the screen - too little and you can't screw the frame up! To make matters worse, after about the fourth time of trying, I worked out that my screen didnt fit as well as the old one - which also resulted in me bending the frame (which you can see in some pics - I then had to use some wheels and straps to pull it back into shape). I then found a very rare old screen... and thats whats now fitted. I will be staying clear of all flying stones!
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff