Not bad

"Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre) 05/22/2020 at 09:31 • Filed to: None

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For the price this thing doesn’t look bad at all. I don’t know much about these though so parts availability is a mystery to me.

No key, but they have the title which is far more important.

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Just Jeepin' > Kiltedpadre 05/22/2020 at 09:36

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I feel like I’d have to own a bowler hat to drive that.

Old-Busted-Hotness > Kiltedpadre 05/22/2020 at 09:44

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Transmission:Automatic. And yet there are three pedals. Clearly not a case of “I know what I got.” I have a feeling the missing radiator will cost as much as the car.

Kiltedpadre > Old-Busted-Hotness 05/22/2020 at 09:56

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The price is more “I didn’t have a clue what I was getting into, and I cry every time I look at it.”

“But it has to be an automatic. There’s no stick coming through the floor to shift with.”

If Roadkill has taught me anything it’s that with enough zip ties and ratchet straps I don’t need an original radiator. Honestly though this is probably a good candidate for a drivetrain swap. I can’t imagine it’s a high dollar car restored and getting it running/driving as is could easily cost double its value when done.

Kiltedpadre > Just Jeepin' 05/22/2020 at 09:58

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I’m ok with this.

Old-Busted-Hotness > Kiltedpadre 05/22/2020 at 10:15

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I think your estimate is low. T he only thing more expensive than Benz parts is Old Benz parts, especially trim parts, and it looks like this needs all the parts .

Kiltedpadre > Old-Busted-Hotness 05/22/2020 at 10:26

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Strip all trim and replace with Ed Roth style pinstripes.

Jim Spanfeller > Kiltedpadre 05/22/2020 at 10:29

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The good news is that Mercedes has a classic car program that basically means they will sell you any replacement part for any classic Mercedes ever. The bad news is that they’re not cheap. So parts availability isn’t the problem, the price of the parts available is. You could always go aftermarket to save money, but then there’s more of a risk that the part doesn’t work/fit properly, whereas Mercedes makes stuff to the original specs...

Kiltedpadre > Jim Spanfeller 05/22/2020 at 10:30

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So you’re saying it needs to become a rat rod. I hear you loud and clear.

Jim Spanfeller > Kiltedpadre 05/22/2020 at 10:32

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Yes. Rat rods are the salvation of all the otherwise hopeless cars!

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > Kiltedpadre 05/22/2020 at 10:33

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Wow. I have... feeling about that. Like... it would love to get it running, do some stabilization on the patina and just drive it as is. But also it looks like a car that deserves to be restored... even if it would take HUGE sums of money.

Either way, NP.

Grindintosecond > Jim Spanfeller 05/22/2020 at 10:48

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a 6-71 blower and zoomies......that will go nice. and keep the red oxide primer.

Kiltedpadre > Grindintosecond 05/22/2020 at 11:08

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I could probably build a really good blower motor for less than getting the original power plant running too.

Kiltedpadre > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo 05/22/2020 at 11:11

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I think the best course of action would be to drivetrain swap it and stabilize it. Then keep all the original parts and slowly amass the parts needed to do a restoration.

That way you can enjoy it during the years it would probably take to get the parts needed for a restoration.

fintail > Kiltedpadre 05/22/2020 at 12:25

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About right for one of these, and the condition many are in.  Restoration costs will be hilarious, restored value not immense - something for someone who wants a labor of love.      Fintails are mostly in the same boat.

fintail > Jim Spanfeller 05/22/2020 at 12:27

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Unfortunately, the Classic Center doesn’t have 100% parts stock. They do have almost anything mechanical, a lot of body panels and exterior brightwork, but body hardware and interior trim can be difficult. I’ve ran into this with my fintail, as a few chrome clips perished. NLA, I even personally visited the Classic Center in Fellbach with a part number and diagram, no dice. And good luck finding a fintail dash pad. The Classic Center is probably better than any similar group ran by a mainstream maker, but I guess nothing is perfect.

Rat rod or frankencar might be a way to keep that Ponton alive, otherwise, you’re going to spend 60K to have a 20K car.

Kiltedpadre > fintail 05/22/2020 at 13:22

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It won’t be in my driveway, but if it were the only real option would be to modify it. I could see putting an 80’s turbo diesel drivetrain, change the stance, rehab the interior enough that I don’t need a hazmat suit to drive it, and add some Ed Roth style pinstripes.

I’d keep any original pieces I removed so either a future owner or I could do a real restoration if we fell in love with it.

It’s just not as nice looking to me as your fintail. I’d want to be able to enjoy it but not dump a bunch of money into it.

fintail > Kiltedpadre 05/22/2020 at 14:37

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Heck, put a modern 2.1 Blutetec in it. Those old cars aren’t especially heavy, it would be a rocket. Clean it up like you sat, and just drive it. It’d probably still be a hit at MBCA events, too.

The fintail is lucky that it survived with decent looking cosmetics, and didn’t get too rusty.  Driving it is my plan with my old car, restoration is just insanely expensive, and really I just want it to be roadworthy and look decent.  “Patina” has been the fad for awhile now, so some age here and there isn’t a negative.