I went your route also after seeing an ad in CL for a Beetle with a blown engine. It became my summer reclamation project and after rebuilding the 20vTurbo engine the Benz can now sit in the warm garage when its snowy. The 5 speed is alot of fun to drive and it easily takes most cars off the line. However, for an evening out on the town, it will always be in the Benz.

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2001 E320
1991 350SD 265,000 - SOLD
2000 VW Beetle 1.8Turbo - restored
1997 E320 - SOLD
1988 190E - SOLD
1969 Mustang - SOLD