1950's Merc SL - Bringing her back to life (and up to date)
Discussion
I'll try and keep the updates coming... although its frustrating how long it takes to upload a big set of images on PH. Glad you're all enjoying the progress... Its much more enjoyable now I'm over the hill.
Nice 220 there, I assume thats not a 220s, I didnt see some of the ali strips that my 220s has (I dont know a huge amount about them yet)? I agree with you on the cost and exclusivity though, I think these are great investments right now. I see you have two wing mirrors too (they look non standard?), did you add those on, or at least one of them? People do that with the 190SL's, but sadly the A pillar blocks the non standard mirror 2nd mirror (as they only ever had one)... and thus its completely useless when driving... but of course they dont find that out until the cars almost finished, and the seats are back in. Doh!! Luckily I was pre warned.
Timings, well, every year my answer has been 'next summer', and I think I've owned it for three years this summer... but I'm going to make the car more of a priority and try to get it working this summer... and worst case, finished at the end of the year (before I'm 29 in dec). You're bang on the money about the sun, its killing me to see all the classics coming out of the woodwork. My other car is up on stands right now too, so its not like I've got that that scratch the itch... in fact its very neglected these days, and maybe it should go up in the classifieds
Nice 220 there, I assume thats not a 220s, I didnt see some of the ali strips that my 220s has (I dont know a huge amount about them yet)? I agree with you on the cost and exclusivity though, I think these are great investments right now. I see you have two wing mirrors too (they look non standard?), did you add those on, or at least one of them? People do that with the 190SL's, but sadly the A pillar blocks the non standard mirror 2nd mirror (as they only ever had one)... and thus its completely useless when driving... but of course they dont find that out until the cars almost finished, and the seats are back in. Doh!! Luckily I was pre warned.
Timings, well, every year my answer has been 'next summer', and I think I've owned it for three years this summer... but I'm going to make the car more of a priority and try to get it working this summer... and worst case, finished at the end of the year (before I'm 29 in dec). You're bang on the money about the sun, its killing me to see all the classics coming out of the woodwork. My other car is up on stands right now too, so its not like I've got that that scratch the itch... in fact its very neglected these days, and maybe it should go up in the classifieds
Hi , no my Ponton is not a 220 : it is a 219 which is comparatively rare , basically a 190 with the six cylinder engine from the 220 . They were largely used for police and fire service purposes , being an early example of a small car with big engine shoehorned in . ( Incidentally , a very small number of 190SL's were made with the six cylinder engine ) .
The wing mirrors on my car were there when I bought it in 1982 ; the two holes for the original mirror are still there in the trailing edge of the wing , but the mirror was gone when I got the car . I might retrofit the proper mirror if one ever turns up , and make good the wings after removing the mirrors from them . The correct mirrors were available for both sides .
All the 220 models had the extra garnish mouldings along the sides , which the 190 and 219 never had .
The 190SL is part of the Ponton family of cars and shares its W121 designation with the 190 saloons on which it is based .
The Fintail was a W111 220S , sadly I ended up breaking it as the further I got into it , the more rot I found in really inaccessible places and well beyond my rudimentary welding skills . Many of its parts are helping other cars to live on though .
The wing mirrors on my car were there when I bought it in 1982 ; the two holes for the original mirror are still there in the trailing edge of the wing , but the mirror was gone when I got the car . I might retrofit the proper mirror if one ever turns up , and make good the wings after removing the mirrors from them . The correct mirrors were available for both sides .
All the 220 models had the extra garnish mouldings along the sides , which the 190 and 219 never had .
The 190SL is part of the Ponton family of cars and shares its W121 designation with the 190 saloons on which it is based .
The Fintail was a W111 220S , sadly I ended up breaking it as the further I got into it , the more rot I found in really inaccessible places and well beyond my rudimentary welding skills . Many of its parts are helping other cars to live on though .
Edited by Pontoneer on Thursday 29th March 00:46
I've not heard of one of those? I did wonder if it was a 180, as I don't remember the 220's coming with the sunroof you have on yours... very interesting. I never knew that any 190's were made with the 6cy, but I've heard of people putting them in... and with the two cars side by side, its clear to see the huge similarities. In fact, thats one of the main reasons I felt comfortable buying my 220, as everything I've learnt on the 190 is completely transferable (along with spare parts).
I think they're fantastic cars... luxury German tanks.
Just a shame that mines being used as workbench for my 190!
p.s The fin tails always reminds me of the ghostbusters car... its a shame you had to break it though. If I lived in the US then I'd pick the fintail.
I think they're fantastic cars... luxury German tanks.
Just a shame that mines being used as workbench for my 190!
p.s The fin tails always reminds me of the ghostbusters car... its a shame you had to break it though. If I lived in the US then I'd pick the fintail.
Edited by piscola90 on Thursday 29th March 09:13
I didn't know that about the sun roof? Is there a forum for the Protons? I need to get learning!
I'm thinking of doing a bit of a rat rod number on the 220 (in mind to restore it in later life). I dont mean I'll be chopping it, or letting it rot... but I might go with with red oxide + matt black roof... not sure yet though.
Finally finished the leather on the dash, pretty pleased with it
p.s thanks Dogstar.
I'm thinking of doing a bit of a rat rod number on the 220 (in mind to restore it in later life). I dont mean I'll be chopping it, or letting it rot... but I might go with with red oxide + matt black roof... not sure yet though.
Finally finished the leather on the dash, pretty pleased with it
p.s thanks Dogstar.
Yes, I'm doing it all at the moment (which like so many tasks, was never the plan)... sadly working on the dash proved one step too far for my back, and one disc gave up shortly after my last post. Thats wiped out the last 5 months, but I hope to have her on the road next summer anyway. All the carpets are on order, and I'm now putting down all the sound proofing (dynomat + dynopad). Lots of chrome is now at the re-plater as well.
I hoping to have the paint mopped&polished this weekend (which was never been after flatting back the clear coat) - so I've been holding off updates as I wanted the next batch to be shiny paint, lots of fresh chrome + carpets in. The engine can go back in now too, but I just need to hunt down two more new engine mounts before I do that job (with the help of a friends hoist).
I got the deal of the century on an un abused dash (mine like most, is hacked up to take a new radio) - a bargin at $600. So That will now be painted and fitted over the coming weeks.
Plans have begun for a hidden double din unit + speakers.
And the wheels choice has finally been made, and I'm in the process of bring a set over from the US.
My TVR Tamora (with carbon mods) is now up for grabs, as I've got another merc project I want to pursue (1970's this time)- with the 220 waiting in the wings - as its leap frogged (although I'm still going to try and sneak the 220 through a MOT with minimal work).
Stu
I hoping to have the paint mopped&polished this weekend (which was never been after flatting back the clear coat) - so I've been holding off updates as I wanted the next batch to be shiny paint, lots of fresh chrome + carpets in. The engine can go back in now too, but I just need to hunt down two more new engine mounts before I do that job (with the help of a friends hoist).
I got the deal of the century on an un abused dash (mine like most, is hacked up to take a new radio) - a bargin at $600. So That will now be painted and fitted over the coming weeks.
Plans have begun for a hidden double din unit + speakers.
And the wheels choice has finally been made, and I'm in the process of bring a set over from the US.
My TVR Tamora (with carbon mods) is now up for grabs, as I've got another merc project I want to pursue (1970's this time)- with the 220 waiting in the wings - as its leap frogged (although I'm still going to try and sneak the 220 through a MOT with minimal work).
Stu
The sound proofing is almost finished, but I still need to finish the detail, trim areas, fill small gaps + finished taping all joins - and I have done a bit more leather work too. Sadly the paint still hasnt been polished as the guy bailed on me last min. I'm pretty pleased with Dynamat product (and dynapad) actually (I know there are many cheap alternatives that are arguably as good). The red dash is of course yet to be prepped painted - I'm just checking the fit first. Wheels have been shipped now, and so the work continues. I want to be driving around next summer - so thats now the deadline.
Edited by piscola90 on Wednesday 25th July 12:22
Here's the latest - more work on the inside, checking seat parts out (new spring sets + new horse hair pads), re-plated front bumper (which I then painted the insides of to factory spec), bumper assembled on restored bumper bar (now ready to fit to car), mopping of paintwork to bring back the shine (after rubbing back for a flat finish), new part, new stainless exhaust, merc 14" wheels arrived from the US (from a later car - vs the standard 13").... and still lots more work to do.
Edited by piscola90 on Sunday 23 September 11:44
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