1979 Mercedes 450 SLC
Discussion
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Nice write-up old boy. Glad that it's running well, and it looks terrific in the pictures.
Can't really help with the detail, but I have working flaps(!) and a working blower but the combo produces no heat which is mildly tedious and, I suspect, likely to be potentially expensive to rectify. In the meantime I overcome this deficiency by only taking the car out when it's warm and by briefing my 'lucky' female passengers to bring an additional layer or two. I'd be interested in hearing about anything you can do to make the ventilation system at least moderately less-s
t.
If you're getting no heat CdG, I suspect that the valve which feeds hot water into the heating system may well be jammed. To be honest I have not yet dared to engage the hot setting since the car returned, for fear of it getting stuck on, but as I have had 'experts' look at it I really should not be so cowardly and need to give it a go to make sure I got what I asked for.Can't really help with the detail, but I have working flaps(!) and a working blower but the combo produces no heat which is mildly tedious and, I suspect, likely to be potentially expensive to rectify. In the meantime I overcome this deficiency by only taking the car out when it's warm and by briefing my 'lucky' female passengers to bring an additional layer or two. I'd be interested in hearing about anything you can do to make the ventilation system at least moderately less-s
t. I would be genuinely surprised if the resolution to your particular issue would be that expensive. These vehicles are awash with hot liquids hence if you are not getting any increase in temperature at all something stubborn is stopping it, and I can only think a stuck valve would do that. Prior to this dashboard work my car was producing plenty of heat into the cabin, albeit often at unwanted times. The alternative is the pneumatic system is not working as it should and that valve is not getting the control it needs. Does your central locking work okay, including the boot? They are not linked to the heater but any issues there might suggest there could be issues elsewhere.
alabbasi said:
Do you have the automatic climate control like the one picture here or the slider control?
Morning Alabbasi, thanks for replying.I have the unit with the sliders. In fact I might be wrong but I have never seen the automatic version in a UK-based car. Perhaps in one or two imports. I do know that the work SS Motors did included repairs to the speed sensor, which they also cleaned. Perhaps a short is the issue there...
gforceg said:
This is very odd Paul. This is Greg, we worked together in London about 18 years ago
No Greg - the odd thing would be if only last night I was thinking for the first time if anyone I had ever met might be reading this thread.Hope you are well - drop me a PM some time should you wish to. I recall your interest in cars which appears unabated.
The Mad Monk said:
I normally get my car serviced there. I am thinking of having the auto transmission fluid changed. Do you use them for those jobs?
I haven't used them for such jobs but only because the need has not yet arisen. I would do - they seem to know many a classic Mercedes inside and out so no harm in taking it there and they seem quite reasonable. Worth asking ahead of time as they seem to operate quite a waiting list, but perhaps for smaller jobs this is less of an issue.CharlesdeGaulle said:
Without wanting to go too far O/T, but I took mine out today.
Chat away CdG, I always love hearing about your trips out and about. I presume the car remains abroad? You remind me that I entirely forgot to engage 'party mode' this weekend, by which I mean taking down all 4 windows. My rear 2 are manual, as all the South African cars appear to be, so they are easily forgotten about. I will rectify this in the coming weeks. Mine is not quite ready for close-up photography yet and with that in mind I am going to visit several paint shops soon to see what a respray would run to. It would look terrific with a new coat or two.
Such an abundance from the postman today.
Many sheets of self-adhesive sound proofing to go under the new carpet and underlay set that is currently being manufactured. A, well not sure what it's called, chrome strip that fits below the passenger-side door hinge. A brand new NOS climate-control dial. And a dvd copy of the film I backed on Kickstarter some 6 years ago. If you are at all aware of Frank Sidebottom, or even if you are not, I would certainly urge you to give 'Being Frank' a go.
The sound-proofing will be installed in a few weeks but the other items are going to be installed/viewed this weekend. You know they will, they really will.
Many sheets of self-adhesive sound proofing to go under the new carpet and underlay set that is currently being manufactured. A, well not sure what it's called, chrome strip that fits below the passenger-side door hinge. A brand new NOS climate-control dial. And a dvd copy of the film I backed on Kickstarter some 6 years ago. If you are at all aware of Frank Sidebottom, or even if you are not, I would certainly urge you to give 'Being Frank' a go.
The sound-proofing will be installed in a few weeks but the other items are going to be installed/viewed this weekend. You know they will, they really will.
ferrisbueller said:
'Short' wheel base. Made me smile. Thanks for the link - an interesting read. Not the same car - the one I saw has a white steering wheel - surprised there are even 2 on the roads in the UK.Edited by paulyv on Sunday 12th May 17:38
A beautiful spring evening, so we thought 'sod the ULEZ fee, let's go for a drive'. Out along the Thames to Chelsea and Knightsbridge. Not my usual environment but always some nice cars around. I don't consider myself too much of a show-off but it does make me happy when people get a kick out of seeing the car...so perhaps I am unable to accurately judge my own character.
A few Porsches and Ferraris about but nothing vintage. Got chatting to a fella in the traffic who may be interested in buying my plate. We'll see. One thing is for sure - I must clean my windscreen.
A few Porsches and Ferraris about but nothing vintage. Got chatting to a fella in the traffic who may be interested in buying my plate. We'll see. One thing is for sure - I must clean my windscreen.
Evening,
Had the car over for a quick check up at SS Motors today. I was having trouble with the blower motor blasting away at full speed unannounced over the past week. A short spell with Joe and his colleagues revealed there is a problem with the AirCon switch which needs replacing. I need an overhaul of the AC gas so it's been disconnected for now until I trace a replacement AC switch.
Had a lovely day out at Addlestone - not far from the train station is a driveway with a slightly tatty clue of what might be lying ahead, followed by an unassuming looking building.
Parked outside there's usually various Pagoda SL's, and today a stonking 600 (the Blofeld special - second I have seen in a week). It was in for a front suspension refresh, which shouldn't be a surprise with that rhino of an engine up front. So roomy inside, and they don't make enough cars with curtains these days...no idea what it would be like to drive.
There's plenty more of interest going on inside too:
The car doesn't leak at all now and the bulkhead is in a fine state so new a underlay and carpet set is going in during June. Should be really nice in the cabin after that. I don't have any driveway space here in town but there is a place in London called Pitstop where you can rent a garage bay by the hour. I plan to take both seats out, lubricate the runners, clean everything thoroughly, install the sound deadening, insulation and then finally the carpets.
Lovely drive home through London. Saw loads of people getting their cameras out and taking pictures...then I realised why.
Still, I'm not bitter. It's going to be a terrific summer.
Had the car over for a quick check up at SS Motors today. I was having trouble with the blower motor blasting away at full speed unannounced over the past week. A short spell with Joe and his colleagues revealed there is a problem with the AirCon switch which needs replacing. I need an overhaul of the AC gas so it's been disconnected for now until I trace a replacement AC switch.
Had a lovely day out at Addlestone - not far from the train station is a driveway with a slightly tatty clue of what might be lying ahead, followed by an unassuming looking building.
Parked outside there's usually various Pagoda SL's, and today a stonking 600 (the Blofeld special - second I have seen in a week). It was in for a front suspension refresh, which shouldn't be a surprise with that rhino of an engine up front. So roomy inside, and they don't make enough cars with curtains these days...no idea what it would be like to drive.
There's plenty more of interest going on inside too:
The car doesn't leak at all now and the bulkhead is in a fine state so new a underlay and carpet set is going in during June. Should be really nice in the cabin after that. I don't have any driveway space here in town but there is a place in London called Pitstop where you can rent a garage bay by the hour. I plan to take both seats out, lubricate the runners, clean everything thoroughly, install the sound deadening, insulation and then finally the carpets.
Lovely drive home through London. Saw loads of people getting their cameras out and taking pictures...then I realised why.
Still, I'm not bitter. It's going to be a terrific summer.
r129sl said:
Did you get anywhere with the sound proofing?
Good morning.No, not yet. That will be the first thing to go onto the metal floor once I have the old carpets pulled out. I am expecting some difference as I have no insulation at all currently. Just a mat on the drivers side. I shall be sure to describe the differences here once done.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Looking might fine there paulyv - it certainly is going to be a terrific summer in that.
Thank you CdG. It feels like I've put a lot of work (money) in to the car over the past year and have gone from owning a car hiding a few secrets to one which is very sorted and capable. Needs the final flourishes now to make it all it could be, in no particular order:Sort that scratched paint out...a full respray? Perhaps, but then I would have to consider updating the rubber and chrome.
New carpets and underlay
Renovate the AC with a new switch, new gas and hoses
Find a cruise control cable which goes under the bonnet
Sort a little bit of rust on the front wing
5 new tyres
Polish up some chrome parts
Attach the NOS chrome windscreen wipers I bought
A new windscreen - this one is very old and has tiny marks all over which can be seen in bright sunshine
Get a first aid kit to sit on the back shelf
I think that's enough for the year after which I will go back and refer to the original appraisal from Edward Hall and get things like new shock absorbers and the like.
Weiter!
Had the pleasure of spending the week in Washington DC, some work and some play. My week was not entirely devoid of old-school Mercedes cool...ladies and gentlemen, I give you none other than Miss Stephanie Powers, one of the more famous and not to say glamorous SL drivers of the 70s and 80s.
Not 24 hours later, whilst cycling through the beautiful suburbs of the city I spotted this statement piece, rocking the double headlights as is the fashion out here:
Unrelated I rented a Chevrolet Volt for 2 days...quite the car - I really enjoyed driving it...largely because of the truly excellent a/c - it's boiling here at the moment and it's only just June!
Not 24 hours later, whilst cycling through the beautiful suburbs of the city I spotted this statement piece, rocking the double headlights as is the fashion out here:
Unrelated I rented a Chevrolet Volt for 2 days...quite the car - I really enjoyed driving it...largely because of the truly excellent a/c - it's boiling here at the moment and it's only just June!
Had the pleasure of a week in Le Marche in Eastern Italy. Drove around in a perfectly acceptable rented Toyota Aygo, but it would have been a fantastic trip in the SLC, although I would have had to ensure it had 100% functional aircon, gadzooks it gets hot out there. Attended a proper Italian Catholic wedding in a cathedral and everyfink. Not sure the extra length of the SLC would have fared well in those tight hilltop towns though. What a beautiful (and cheap) part of the world it is.
Having spent much time on my back by various pools I only thought it fair to continue this repose inside my car so this very afternoon I got to fitting the acoustic matting and new underlay/carpets on the drivers side ready for a long drive this coming weekend. I bought the set from Ebay for a not inconsiderable sum and upon arrival was really pleased with the results. Whilst I would have loved to have kept what seemed to be the original carpet it really was truly past it and was doing the car no favours at all.
Step one was to get the seat right back and get the acoustic matting in. Another Ebay special it seems fairly similar to the much lauded Dynamat but comes in a little cheaper. It's sticky-backed and seemingly made of very dense rubber not dissimilar to a vaguely-melted squash ball. It's very malleable and only really sticks to the floor when you apply pressure.
You can run it up curves and edges, and it cuts very easily with a pair of scissors. After the torrential storms overnight I was 100% confident the car had no leaks in the footwell and liberally covered the whole area. I used to have the original MB coconut matting-like material in here, but again after 40 years this was very much ready for the bin.
Next up came the new underlay. Quite dense in itself and the design means it runs right up into the footwell higher than the pedals, just as the original matting did. At the last minute I remembered to add the hole for the kick-down switch.
Finally the carpet itself. Not quite original MB quality but I cannot complain. The fit is about 90% there and over the next few days I will push it further into the corners - it started raining just as I got to this point, but I am very happy with it. Even idling I can tell the cabin is quieter and I look forward to reporting back after the weekend. I am not sure I am ready to give the passenger side a go just yet - it has the dense MB sound deadening which is firmly stuck to the floor on that side and as I recall from Wheeler Dealers, or Car SOS, the best way to remove that is with dry ice.
An oversight on my part was that I should have gone for dark grey rather than black as I now have a slight mismatch, but easy enough to buy the remaining part sections and fit them as and when.
As if to help me appreciate the reduced noise my Blaupunkt stopped working this afternoon. Likely a loose connection after the various efforts to sort the heating controls out. Another item to add to this list which never shrinks!
I was hoping to drive to Le Mans this weekend but having recently traveled so much, and with both the French and Italian Grand Prix book this year I cannot justify it, so it's up to Peterborough instead. Will the glamour never end???
Next month brings the cars final legally-required MOT. One last spin of the dice to go!
Having spent much time on my back by various pools I only thought it fair to continue this repose inside my car so this very afternoon I got to fitting the acoustic matting and new underlay/carpets on the drivers side ready for a long drive this coming weekend. I bought the set from Ebay for a not inconsiderable sum and upon arrival was really pleased with the results. Whilst I would have loved to have kept what seemed to be the original carpet it really was truly past it and was doing the car no favours at all.
Step one was to get the seat right back and get the acoustic matting in. Another Ebay special it seems fairly similar to the much lauded Dynamat but comes in a little cheaper. It's sticky-backed and seemingly made of very dense rubber not dissimilar to a vaguely-melted squash ball. It's very malleable and only really sticks to the floor when you apply pressure.
You can run it up curves and edges, and it cuts very easily with a pair of scissors. After the torrential storms overnight I was 100% confident the car had no leaks in the footwell and liberally covered the whole area. I used to have the original MB coconut matting-like material in here, but again after 40 years this was very much ready for the bin.
Next up came the new underlay. Quite dense in itself and the design means it runs right up into the footwell higher than the pedals, just as the original matting did. At the last minute I remembered to add the hole for the kick-down switch.
Finally the carpet itself. Not quite original MB quality but I cannot complain. The fit is about 90% there and over the next few days I will push it further into the corners - it started raining just as I got to this point, but I am very happy with it. Even idling I can tell the cabin is quieter and I look forward to reporting back after the weekend. I am not sure I am ready to give the passenger side a go just yet - it has the dense MB sound deadening which is firmly stuck to the floor on that side and as I recall from Wheeler Dealers, or Car SOS, the best way to remove that is with dry ice.
An oversight on my part was that I should have gone for dark grey rather than black as I now have a slight mismatch, but easy enough to buy the remaining part sections and fit them as and when.
As if to help me appreciate the reduced noise my Blaupunkt stopped working this afternoon. Likely a loose connection after the various efforts to sort the heating controls out. Another item to add to this list which never shrinks!
I was hoping to drive to Le Mans this weekend but having recently traveled so much, and with both the French and Italian Grand Prix book this year I cannot justify it, so it's up to Peterborough instead. Will the glamour never end???
Next month brings the cars final legally-required MOT. One last spin of the dice to go!
Evening.
Had a spare hour between watching Australia v Brazil in the Women's World Cup (great game), and Le Mans qualifying so thought I might as well do the passenger-side sound deadening, underlay and carpet as well. Why not. I might as well make it doubly obvious to people that I bought the wrong shade of carpet.
Silence is indeed golden it seems.
I often wondered - what are these plastic parts in the footwells for? Do they contain wiring, or allow for air-flow? I have to admit to being a little puzzled as to whether I should be padding up sound deadening or underlay around them as the carpet does not lay flat over them - it remains raised where these are positioned. Thoughts welcomed.
Next items to do. Door cards. As you can see someone in the past has replaced mine which must have perished in the South African sun many years ago. These are way too plain and don't carry over the design from the rear cards, but there are some good reproduction versions available from the States for around 180 a pair.
Also does anyone know about radio cages? I got mine working again as it was clear it had not been reconnected after the last bit of work, but the radio has always been rather shonkily sat in the aperture. I have the right cage for my Blaupunkt but no real concept of what it does or how I should be aiming to fit it. Any ideas gang?
This weekend my partner will be driving the car for the first time. I really look forward to an afternoon in the passenger seat and seeing how she gets on with it. If Stephanie Powers can manage it...
Had a spare hour between watching Australia v Brazil in the Women's World Cup (great game), and Le Mans qualifying so thought I might as well do the passenger-side sound deadening, underlay and carpet as well. Why not. I might as well make it doubly obvious to people that I bought the wrong shade of carpet.
Silence is indeed golden it seems.
I often wondered - what are these plastic parts in the footwells for? Do they contain wiring, or allow for air-flow? I have to admit to being a little puzzled as to whether I should be padding up sound deadening or underlay around them as the carpet does not lay flat over them - it remains raised where these are positioned. Thoughts welcomed.
Next items to do. Door cards. As you can see someone in the past has replaced mine which must have perished in the South African sun many years ago. These are way too plain and don't carry over the design from the rear cards, but there are some good reproduction versions available from the States for around 180 a pair.
Also does anyone know about radio cages? I got mine working again as it was clear it had not been reconnected after the last bit of work, but the radio has always been rather shonkily sat in the aperture. I have the right cage for my Blaupunkt but no real concept of what it does or how I should be aiming to fit it. Any ideas gang?
This weekend my partner will be driving the car for the first time. I really look forward to an afternoon in the passenger seat and seeing how she gets on with it. If Stephanie Powers can manage it...
I have been summoned by Goodwood...or rather the car has. I'd best get the last bits and bobs done:
>>>>
Dear Member,
Congratulations! We have selected your vehicle to feature in our Annual Vehicle Display at the GRRC Open Day on Sunday 11 August 2019.
I will send through a formal letter in the post to you in the coming weeks.
>>>>
Dear Member,
Congratulations! We have selected your vehicle to feature in our Annual Vehicle Display at the GRRC Open Day on Sunday 11 August 2019.
I will send through a formal letter in the post to you in the coming weeks.
Rosewood Red said:
I've enjoyed reading your thread.
Does the Goodwood invite mean the bodywork will get some TLC in the near future?
Thank you for reading it. I hope it's been informative at the very least. Yes, it means that those scratches are going to have to go...not a full respray just yet but the attention it needs. This will happen in mid-July. I'll also have to find somewhere to keep it off the road to avoid it happening again.Does the Goodwood invite mean the bodywork will get some TLC in the near future?
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