Saving parts in case someone else want them - why?
 

A lot has happened in the last couple years, big one was Dad passed away and I inherited his 1964 Volkswagen Beetle he bought in 1968. This means yet another collection of parts. Now I am absolutely busting at the seams.

With so many projects and my health not the best, I am really considering if would ever have another early W123, I do prefer the 1985 model. Plus, why save stuff because of some emotional obligation? So then why should I save the parts which were specific to the 1979 TD?

Anyone want these parts or should they just be recycled?

TIA :)

What kind of parts are we talking here?

Interior panels, transmission, engine sans head, drive shaft, the entire exhaust system, front seats needing to be rebuilt, rear seats, and odds and ends.

I'm mildly interested in finding a flange for my 300D's exhaust, but it's on the back burner. As a last resort to scrapping the parts if it has to come to that, I wonder if these guys: https://www.dieselmercedes.com/ would be interested in them?

My philosophy on saving parts is to save the items that are special and can be rebuilt and items that cannot be found easily. If it is something that is built currently and at reasonable price/availability, I would just throw away the OEM part if it is ancient.

Dkr.

Those prices at dieselmercedes seem like madness. $2700 for a direct 617 swap?

I wouldn't mind having a third row seat and mounting hardware to add to my fintail wagon. And actually, second row removable headrests and hardware are also on my to-get list when I'm able.

Saving Parts
 

This is just one of those things some enthusiasts do .

I'm guilty of it and now that I'm old and slowing down, I worry about off loading my bits & bobs so they don't wind u[ in the landfill .

I have given away quite a lot of good used parts over the decades and a few have returned the favor so I think it's a good thing to do if you have the space and if you're able to prevent the parts from owning you instead of the other way 'round .

I'm sure you know that old VW parts are NOT TRASH and will not toss out anything .

I have a battered survivor 1959 Beetle that I was able to replace most of the wrong parts on (including the engine) from my piles of old VW parts set aside since the early 1970's .

A while back I needed the third row seat belts for my 1984 gray market 300TD, I was able to source them affordably from another parts saver who'd scrapped out a rusty 1979 300TD....

I can have a look when I am more recovered, right now hard to even get across the home with a damn walker. So, part of why been doing so much thinking.


Exactly! However, what does one do when it becomes piles outside that has started becoming an interesting home for pack rats? For example, I could put all those plastic trim parts up in the attic where have room, however gets so hot, doubt last long at all. So much of these Mercedes parts are plastic even if were saved for long in the future, would they still be usable?


A lot of Kent's prices are, however, some things are unique to him. For example, his manuals and kits been really helpful, plus I have his gasoline fuel injector cleaner rig and found fairly worth the money (the plastic lid quickly disintegrated).


I don't know where I said I have a third row seat. I don't recall if I have any rear head rests, been so long ago and after two TBIs (neither my fault) I don't have the best memory. When do have the energy and start going through the stuff and find a set, will of course set them aside.


When I was tossed into the cold February night of the year 1998, just turned 11, Dad drove the long drive and rescued me. He lived with his parents as his former wife took his credit and all he had, couldn't get a house of his own. This was great for me, Oma and Opa did a lot of the child raising, I certainly put them through a lot especially Oma, however, I believe I stayed out of the system and became the person I am. So when Dad passed, there was three generations of stuff I had to go through and decide what to bring back. Plus, Dad's Sister illegally gained the property, destroyed and disposed of most of Dad's stuff (the stuff destroyed left to for us to see and hurt us), then only allowed a short time to sort. I had a lot of Volkswagen Squareback parts, a small truck, so I had to leave stuff behind. No one local wanted it, hurt really bad, however, nothing I could do.

I am turning 34 on Sunday, I have been so busy I have not dated, no children, and so when I die, the parts for each vehicle will be loaded into them, then sold, except for the Beetle which stays in the family. So even if I save all these parts, they still could end up getting tossed.

My hope with this thread was to find out if anyone is interested in any of it, so far seems only a few odds and ends, am I wrong? How do I do a better job of rehoming the stuff I no longer have space for?

See if someone nearby wants to come get all of it?

I am fine with that, however, none have shown an interest.

You didn't, but if you do, those would be of interest. I figured that between two wagons and the parts it's possible. If I had more room here I'd take the lot and put a wagon together out of it all. Sadly, there is not enough space.

I don't know how good you are with computers, but I've done okay selling parts here and on eBay. But, it takes lots of pictures, a good description, and a bit of time. I find that the majority of things I sell go overseas.

Third row seats were an option in the 1960s fintail wagon I have, but finding one for it would be impossible. I like the idea of fitting one from a W123. I think it could be done. It has a split second row bench seat that folds up, and I think adding the folding headrests from a W123 second row seat would be really neat.

I'm just gathering parts for it when the opportunities arise. One day I want it to be my daily driver, but I've essentially got to cut the roof and rear section off of it and weld it onto the sedan I have because the lower structure of the wagon rusted away to almost nothing.

I don't have enough for a whole wagon, some was just too far gone. I do know I have the HVAC dash unit, the dash itself (cracked so in the pile I had planned to take to the dump), the plastic interior panels, I believe also have the door panels, and the transmission shouldn't be hard to move.

I tried and got no bites. If someone took this stuff and sold it, I wouldn't care, it was theirs to do what they wanted. At least it not be going to waste, used to keep another W123 on the road. I have been blessed and know it will continue.

Interesting, I be curious seeing that come together.

Good plan gathering parts, like a savings plan rather than an instant purchase. That reads like quite a project to do all that cutting and fabrication. Some of the wagen will have to be saved, the load floor for example. My Squareback is waiting until I can do her right, starting with finding a good frame shop, she got hit by a LA driver who had total disregard for traffic laws, including staying at the accident site.

Not really related, but wanted to "chime in". The first car I bought with my own money, and the genesis of my interest in German cars, was a 1971 beige VW Squareback, manual, with Bosch Electronic F.I.(in 1971!!!) Was in my late teens, purchased from original owner (husband and wife, native German, his wife drove Audi's) for $100. I can't recall the mileage, but it wasn't that high.
That car was amazing! Drove it EVERYWHERE! Sadly, being of "rustbelt" origin, the unibody was rusting away behind the front wheels, in the upper fender area, fenders, too. Also the front bumper mounts turned to dust eventually. Not before I got a bunch of years out of it, though.
I was a dumb kid and didn't know how to "save" her and had no money. Bought 2 front fenders from VW (imported from Germany at that time) and had a guy weld some plate for the front bumper. I was outraged at the price of the fenders (about $100 ea), but that translates to about $650 ea, in todays dollars!!
Good memories, good times in that car!! I guess many would agree: If I only knew then what I know now. (or, maybe just 1% of it...lol)

oma and opa?
are you korean?