Sad Sad Sad - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Scruffyguy1981 · #1 10-23-2009, 06:49 PM

Went to one of the local yards last weekend and saw something that brought a tear to my eye. 1980 500SLC. Of all the SL's I've ever seen in the yard (a total of 3 in the past 8 years) this was one of them. She was so rusted apart I thought it was an old Japanese car. I did score the small bumpers to replace the damaged front bumper on my 73 (never see the small bumpers). I also scored the headlight wiper mechanism, just need some Euros now. The engine is still in her if anyone is interested, it's just a major PITA to pull the engine on these (experience). It also appears to have aluminum rear trailing arms.

Strife · #2 10-23-2009, 10:28 PM

Just wondering (this is probably a stupid question) - do you think the car was local? Do cars actually rust in Salt Lake City because of the proximity to the lake?

Scruffyguy1981 · #3 10-24-2009, 11:57 AM

I'm not to sure how long the car was in Europe before it made it here, but it's very possible it was purchased new and brought here. They use a ton of salt on the roads in the winter. When I was pulling off the bumpers there was salt crystal buildup everywhere. The 107 doesn't fair to well with salt and dampness to begin with coupled with what looks like very poor care created a deadly combination for it. It's just sad someone mistreated it so badly considering that it's grey market to begin with and on top of that there was only a handful of 5.0 107's made worldwide. Wish I had time, money and space the aluminum 5.0 in it could be a fun builder.

jplinville · #4 10-25-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scruffyguy1981

I'm not to sure how long the car was in Europe before it made it here, but it's very possible it was purchased new and brought here. They use a ton of salt on the roads in the winter. When I was pulling off the bumpers there was salt crystal buildup everywhere. The 107 doesn't fair to well with salt and dampness to begin with coupled with what looks like very poor care created a deadly combination for it. It's just sad someone mistreated it so badly considering that it's grey market to begin with and on top of that there was only a handful of 5.0 107's made worldwide. Wish I had time, money and space the aluminum 5.0 in it could be a fun builder.

Which yard did you find it in? I'm always scouring the yards in Ogden, and am looking for more to add to my weekend trips!

Scruffyguy1981 · #5 10-25-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplinville

Which yard did you find it in? I'm always scouring the yards in Ogden, and am looking for more to add to my weekend trips!

Tear-a-part on about 6th South and Redwood

winecountryone · #6 10-25-2009, 07:55 PM

I have found quite a few "grey market" cars at the PNP around northern CA recently.
They were mostly 116 chassis cars,no SL/SLC's.The rarest one was a mid eighties 126 chassis 280 SEL with a 4 speed.There were a lot of military personnel here in the San Francisco area.I'm guessing they brought them back or maybe a lot of folks used the European delivery option.
All of them would have been "cool cars" to own if I'd found them before they were scrapped!!

Scruffyguy1981 · #7 10-25-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winecountryone

I have found quite a few "grey market" cars at the PNP around northern CA recently.
They were mostly 116 chassis cars,no SL/SLC's.The rarest one was a mid eighties 126 chassis 280 SEL with a 4 speed.There were a lot of military personnel here in the San Francisco area.I'm guessing they brought them back or maybe a lot of folks used the European delivery option.
All of them would have been "cool cars" to own if I'd found them before they were scrapped!!

Isn't that the truth. if people would just put em up for sale first (unless its a rust bucket). I've seen some grey market 116's before and a 116 6.9 with antilock brakes. I sometimes wish I had a "farm" to keep all the unwanted Benz's on.

jplinville · #8 10-27-2009, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scruffyguy1981

Tear-a-part on about 6th South and Redwood

I'm going to have to visit there this weekend.

Thanks!

Werner W · #9 10-27-2009, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplinville

I'm going to have to visit there this weekend.

Thanks!

You can run, but you can't hide. Let us know how you make out. And don't forget, Take pic's.

jplinville · #10 10-27-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Werner W

You can run, but you can't hide. Let us know how you make out. And don't forget, Take pic's.

LOL

I'll take pics if I can remember to bring the camera this time!

rowdie · #11 10-27-2009, 03:01 PM

Saturday looks good but looks like you are catching it today.

Remember. No pics, it didn't happen.

Scruffyguy1981 · #12 11-02-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplinville

LOL

I'll take pics if I can remember to bring the camera this time!

Ever make it out to visit the sad girl? VIN is a 500SLC. I took the script for memorabilia (how often am I going to see one of these?) Thing that struck me as odd is that the hood was steel not aluminum, yet the VIN is the right one for a 500. Hood was gone so couldn't say, but likely aluminum given its absence.

jplinville · #13 11-03-2009, 11:40 AM

I didn't make it out there, I got sidetracked with other things.

I'll try to make it this weekend.