'77 Mercedes Benz SL350 Restoration, sanity check?!
Discussion
A friend of a friend has a half complete restoration on the above vehicle. It's a long story, aren't they all, but I've been aware of this restoration for some time as I know the guy who was cutting out all of the rust on it and who completed the respray. Due to the owners new business taking off he has had it parked up for the last 6-7 months. The rust work has been done and it has had a respray (in original colour) other than that the interior is complete but in bits. Most parts seem to be there but I'm sure one or two expensive bits are missing.
You know what's coming, I have this incredible urge to take on and complete the restoration, don't ask me why but I need to sort this car out! I viewed the car earlier in the year but had an eleventh hour change of heart and walked away. I'm now going to view it again tomorrow. We almost agreed figures last viewing and to be honest if it did start getting prohibitively expensive I could break it for parts and cut any losses.
Two questions,
1. am I mad?! I'm aware of the old adage of 'nothing is more expensive than a cheap Mercedes'.
2. Is anyone aware of anything major I should be looking/listening out for?
You know what's coming, I have this incredible urge to take on and complete the restoration, don't ask me why but I need to sort this car out! I viewed the car earlier in the year but had an eleventh hour change of heart and walked away. I'm now going to view it again tomorrow. We almost agreed figures last viewing and to be honest if it did start getting prohibitively expensive I could break it for parts and cut any losses.
Two questions,
1. am I mad?! I'm aware of the old adage of 'nothing is more expensive than a cheap Mercedes'.
2. Is anyone aware of anything major I should be looking/listening out for?
Garlick!!!
Johnboy Mac said:
Bear in mind it's only a 350 and not a 500, it's a pre '86 model and a really sound '86/89 500 could be had for £10-12k or something around that. Not implying that the 350 project ain't the way to go (especially that you should end up with perfect bodywork) but............
The SL shop have:A 1978 350 sl up for sale for £10995 - just under 100k miles.....
A 1981 280 sl sold at £11995.
If it has a sound body then you have little to worry about. Their is a 107 breaker on ebay (He should have anything you need)
What parts are you unsure about OP?
Charmless man said:
That has been my dilema. If it all goes back together as it should it could cost less than a decent holiday! But, as with all these things, it could quite easily go the other way and wander into newer/better car money.
Better start costing the project right or as near as possible and maybe add 25%. If it stacks up then great. Check out how much really good 350's are making if there's any on the market, it could an eye opener. As far as I'm aware the sought after 107's are the later models I mentioned earlier. Credit to CY88
Mercedes R107 Road trip - Stuttgart or Bust
ETA: Poster above mentioned prices - here is a link to the sl shop clicky
Mercedes R107 Road trip - Stuttgart or Bust
ETA: Poster above mentioned prices - here is a link to the sl shop clicky
Edited by Uhura fighter on Wednesday 11th May 22:55
Thanks for the above information. I have been browsing the SL shop.
As for what it needs, in my rose tinted vision it's all there and it will be a few pleasant weekends of bolting things back on whilst supping tea before years of trouble free weekend motoring. The reality is it could do with a new windscreen which will be £300-£400. Though my main concern is this restoration has been going on for around 2 years so I imagine some annoyingly small but important bits may have gone walkies, also things like a rehaul of the braking system may be needed as it's been of the road for some time. It doesn't take long and you're into the territory of a good 'original' car.
As for what it needs, in my rose tinted vision it's all there and it will be a few pleasant weekends of bolting things back on whilst supping tea before years of trouble free weekend motoring. The reality is it could do with a new windscreen which will be £300-£400. Though my main concern is this restoration has been going on for around 2 years so I imagine some annoyingly small but important bits may have gone walkies, also things like a rehaul of the braking system may be needed as it's been of the road for some time. It doesn't take long and you're into the territory of a good 'original' car.
Edited by Charmless man on Thursday 12th May 01:50
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