Tweet
I'm normally an old RWD Volvo nerd (Amazon wagon, 1800S, 960 wagon, etc) but I have a real soft spot for old Mercedes-Benz, 1985 and earlier. Sure, I like the newer stuff very much, but I just love the style and durability of the older cars. I bought my '76 W114 280 sedan a few years ago for $200 which opened up my automotive world a bit. It really helped me build a local reputation as a Mercedes-Benz nerd.
My 280 was a great car, but I ended up crashing it during a snow storm in 2019. I still have it, but it will be at least a year before it's back on the road... albeit with a few surprises saved for another build thread.
Two weeks ago, an opportunity arose for me to purchase a car that was on my radar. A buddy of mine owns a big warehouse downtown filled with cars and parts. It used to be a dry cleaning facility about a hundred years ago, but somebody converted it to a customs shop, which has gone through several hands. Today, it's more of a personal clubhouse than anything.
Unfortunately for my friend, the utility company found some issues with the ancient electrical in the building and he had to make changes before they could restore service. Between the utility company, tax season, and the temporary layoffs caused by COVID-19, he needed a little help to pull things together. He reached out to me to see if I was interested in the Mercedes in his shop, and the answer was an easy yes. We worked out a deal so I could help him get a leg up, and I'm now the proud owner of this wild W116 280SE.
The car started life in Coney Island, NY, where the first owner was an appliance dealer. Originally metallic brown, the car underwent a radical transformation about 30 years ago, and found its way to the tundra where I live today. I don't even know how to describe this paint job, but it reminded me of when I lived in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, surrounded by West Indians who took pride in their customized rides. My old mechanic Errol was always cranking out tricked out rides, and this is right on that wavelength. Something about the base model Sonderklasse done up with such flagrant paint appealed to me, even though it goes against my normal grimy Volvo aesthetic.
The car was last run in 2007. The fuel was drained, and it was stored indoors, but I have a lot of work to stage 0 this car before the mods can begin. The interior is decent, other than an aftermarket dash cap and some dimples in the MB-Tex from a lamp sitting on the passenger seat. The paint is in good shape, a couple peeling areas and some scratches, but I see a lot of potential here.
The current plans are as follows: Swap the big US bumpers for Euro bumpers, or even better, source a replica AMG or Lorinser kit and paint it to match. Lower the ride height ~2" and fit some period correct alloys (Rial, AMG Penta, Ronal, etc, 15-16" max). Once the kinks are all sorted out, I'd like to put it on air and use it as a fair-weather cruiser. This thing is a total yacht, but I do have a thing for green cars, and they don't really get more green than this.
I should take delivery of this car in about a week, I just have to rearrange my garage to accommodate the new project. Stay tuned!
My 280 was a great car, but I ended up crashing it during a snow storm in 2019. I still have it, but it will be at least a year before it's back on the road... albeit with a few surprises saved for another build thread.
Two weeks ago, an opportunity arose for me to purchase a car that was on my radar. A buddy of mine owns a big warehouse downtown filled with cars and parts. It used to be a dry cleaning facility about a hundred years ago, but somebody converted it to a customs shop, which has gone through several hands. Today, it's more of a personal clubhouse than anything.
Unfortunately for my friend, the utility company found some issues with the ancient electrical in the building and he had to make changes before they could restore service. Between the utility company, tax season, and the temporary layoffs caused by COVID-19, he needed a little help to pull things together. He reached out to me to see if I was interested in the Mercedes in his shop, and the answer was an easy yes. We worked out a deal so I could help him get a leg up, and I'm now the proud owner of this wild W116 280SE.
The car started life in Coney Island, NY, where the first owner was an appliance dealer. Originally metallic brown, the car underwent a radical transformation about 30 years ago, and found its way to the tundra where I live today. I don't even know how to describe this paint job, but it reminded me of when I lived in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, surrounded by West Indians who took pride in their customized rides. My old mechanic Errol was always cranking out tricked out rides, and this is right on that wavelength. Something about the base model Sonderklasse done up with such flagrant paint appealed to me, even though it goes against my normal grimy Volvo aesthetic.
The car was last run in 2007. The fuel was drained, and it was stored indoors, but I have a lot of work to stage 0 this car before the mods can begin. The interior is decent, other than an aftermarket dash cap and some dimples in the MB-Tex from a lamp sitting on the passenger seat. The paint is in good shape, a couple peeling areas and some scratches, but I see a lot of potential here.
The current plans are as follows: Swap the big US bumpers for Euro bumpers, or even better, source a replica AMG or Lorinser kit and paint it to match. Lower the ride height ~2" and fit some period correct alloys (Rial, AMG Penta, Ronal, etc, 15-16" max). Once the kinks are all sorted out, I'd like to put it on air and use it as a fair-weather cruiser. This thing is a total yacht, but I do have a thing for green cars, and they don't really get more green than this.
I should take delivery of this car in about a week, I just have to rearrange my garage to accommodate the new project. Stay tuned!
Comment