The post from hell

i have not laughed so hard in a long time; this is the best example of "gallows" humor ever.

thank you

The all time king of Demolition Derby autos is the 1964 Chrysler Imperial.

But it is really hard to find them now and there wer not that many new ones.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

like stated earlier, learn to drive backwards. Dont hit anyone with the front of the car unless 100% necessary. Use the back to hit things. The front can cause issues with the engine and then you will lose quick.

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http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...titled-1-3.jpg
1981 300d

Get a gas W126, they are a dime a dozen and much faster.

Avoid a front hit, it won't take much to jar the radiator into the fan. I might even try removing the T stat and running it without the viscus fan. Just blast the heat, and run straight water with Water Weter. Remove the AC condensor as well for max air flow, and mount the electric fan inside the radiotor hard wired so its always on.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I agree, that would be a very good idea on the cooling front.

However, don't smash up a W126!!

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

While the w126 is a tough car, it won't last more than a few hits in there against old iron, especially a diesel! The cars are designed to crumple to keep the occupants safe at the cost of completely smashing in the trunk or front end, old domestic cars were not. The bumper on a w126 will not protect the radiator and once that is gone, you have almost no time before you cook the engine. You are much better off buying some domestic beater. Check out this website, they've got a good demo forum, http://wecrash.com

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"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

what about a w116?

one day, I want to be in a demo derby... It looks like tons of fun

I vote for something with a full ladder frame. I think the closest modern vehicle aside from suv's and trucks are the impala's and the crown vics...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

A 116 is not signifigantly different from a 126 when it comes to crumple zones. The issues would be about the same.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

Something front wheel drive might not be a bad idea... the whole rear could be smushed in, and you could keep going.

-Jason

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

FWD V8's trannys wont handle the heat, most ppl use crownvics with chebby engines and trannys cause the ford trannys wont handle the heat either.

Also I agree with the above posts in regards to the W126 not being suitable, the rear A arms will be toast in any side impact.

A w126 or w123 are amazing cars, but they arent gonna stand up to a demo derby.

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1984 Euro 300SDC, (4spd standard)
1986 Toyota Landcruiser Diesel HJ60 5spd X2

Gone but not forgotten (some sold, some stripped)
1983 300 SD, 1985 300 SD, 1983 240D, 1986 300 SDL, 1985 300 SDL, 1983 300 D, 1984 300 D, 1985 300SD, 1987 300 SDL, 1983 300 SD, 1985 300 TD Euro, 1983 380SEC, 1990 300 D, 1987 300D, 1982 300D, 1982 300D, 1994 E420, 1987 300 TD, 1987 300 D, 1984 300 D

Some front wheel drive old iron cars do pretty well. They've got a lot more weight on the driving wheels and thus traction. As long as you run a transmission fluid cooler, any tranny oughta work.
The main problem FWD cars have is busting CV joints up front.

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"spreading a trail of obnoxious where ever we go"
1981 300sd w/ 341,500 miles

http://www.wecrash.com/pics/ddda_banner.gif

get an older one, like a 280 that inline six is bullet proof and it has more metal around everything.

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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?

As long as they would add one additional commandment for you to keep thy religion to thyself.
George Carlin (Wonder where he is now..)

1981 240d (engine donor 1983 240d) recently rebuilt engine hurray! - No more.. fought a tree and the tree won.

pearl black 1983 240d 4speed (Converted!@$$%) atleast the tranny was rebuilt.

All other concerns aside, I just wonder if with the oil burner you'd be able to get enough of a head of steam going to inflict much damage compared to a V8 gasser.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Thanks for all of the input, some great info here on most any subject.

Although I felt it would be fun for her (and me), it looks like it's a ton more work than I expected it to be; creating a viable demo car. Besides that, I have little (no) interest in having an old detroitosaur in my shop, doing it with the last breath of an old diesel 126 would have given it some class and kept my interest. Doesn't sound like a good candidate.

Thanks again all (especially for not flaming me for the thought 126 fans).

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff