Since I've already posted up asking for help and advice, I figured I'd make a thread for myself and my wagon. I didn't see a project/show thread, so I hope here will be fine.

A few weeks ago, I started shopping around for a Merc. I've wanted one for a while, but they've usually been outside of my price range. My old Datsun had gone through several back to back breakdowns, which started me shopping around. The old D never got great mileage either, a big wagon with a straight six and no overdrive. This 300TD caught my eye. Oil burner, rusty, 300k miles, perfect. I sold my Datsun in the morning, caught a bus to the west side of town and bought the Merc.



It's a fine beater. No turbo, 4 speed auto, pretty bare bones when one considers how much is broken on it. No heat (until today), hatch doesn't stay up, one window doesn't roll up, leaks oil, burns oil, I don't think a single switch on the dash does anything, and of course rust. I love it though, it's comfortable, economical, and rugged. Of all the wagons I've had (and I've had many), this one most reminds me of an old farm truck, a purpose built work horse. Exactly what I need.





About a week after I bought the wagon, I was driving past a tow yard down the street from my house. I noticed a red-orange, beat-to-hell W123 buried back in their yard. I called the place up and checked it out. It was an 82 tubro diesel that had been rolled by some free wheeling college kid. It still ran (nicer than my wagon even) and the interior looked pretty good, so I bought it that day in order to seal my neighbors' hatred for me and salvage some bits I need for the wagon.







My current plans for the wagon are most likely a purist's nightmare. I'd like to do away with any not needed luxury in favor of utility. I haven't got everything in order yet, but I'll be taking the car down to bare bones with a pragmatic eye. Useless/broken interior bits need to go, rust and mechanics need to be fixed. I would like to look into upgrading the brakes and suspension. I still have a functioning SLS, so that will stay. Looks like both front wings, the driver's door, and the hatch will need to be replaced, so the car may end up looking like a patchwork. African Mercedes have been an inspiration both functionally and aesthetically, and that will be the theme I continue with.

More pictures? More pictures.



NA (What a mess):


Turbo:


Some shots I got with my old 35 mm before I started to dismantle the red car: