New owner - car belonged to donbryce

[roberthead]

I am new to this forum. If anyone wondered what happened to donbryce - he passed about three years ago... This Winter, I purchased his 560sl from his widow.

Tonight, I have been reading his many postings - which had helped tremendously to learn about SL's and this car in particular.

I came across a print out of a conversation, and that is how I learned he had been a member here. A bit of online sleuthing....

Suggest is a good idea to have a note somewhere in car files for forum memberships, so next owners can follow up -

Don's widow really did not know much about what he had done to the car. I now feel I know the car well, even before I have it shipped (left it in NB winter-stored).

I was initially worried when I learned the mileage was in miles and not kms. Now that I know it was so well cared for, and recently had work on guides and new chain done....I am hugely relieved.

I will print up his postings, and copy them to his son, as he sometimes talked about their quality time working on the car...

Now to just wait til Spring and after a few chores such as changing oil, will drive the car home.

Robert

[meltedpanda]

thank you for doing this. I have often wondered about my cyber MB friends, where they go ...

[roberthead]

So, the car is now at 194xxxmiles. I have noted the chain and guides were done in 2008 - when the car had 180xxx miles, so I am not worried about them for the moment. Oil was changed last Summer, however, I will change again when I prep the car in Spring, given a Winter of setting in garage. The car has had steering pump rebuilt, new muffler, electronic updates, auxilliary fan installed, various other things done. Recent new top.

Pics show what appears to be worn pin stripe, and I do not see body rust. I am thinking original paint.

Has hardtop, and somewhere in garage shop manuals and kinder seat...

Have uploaded some pics, more to follow.

I can't see too clearly, but there seems to be an issue with the rubber rear DS rubber bumper filler trim not fitting well... will not know til I go pic up the car (bought at a distance).

The car accumulated mileage when new, and almost nothing over past 20 years....few thousand Summer clicks a year.

I believe I bought the car well.

Comments on this car for a newbie to the 560sl world?

[roberthead]

more pics

[roberthead]

more pics 2

[roberthead]

more pics 3

[roberthead]

more pics 4

[roberthead]

more pics 5

[roberthead]

Oh yeah, recd brochures and a folder of all work done on car (the articles on how to do). I obtained a carfax report when buying - which has helped me to understand when car reached what mileage milestones. Did not do much else, but that is ok. I can trace the car back to Florida in 1990, to the original owner, I understand. The orig wheels were sold for small money, and chrome rims bought. I might look around for a set of originals. I plan to re-install the kinder seat. There is a windscreen now in place. The original decklid light was to be changed, and a later one was added. The removal ended up being a nuisance, so the original bracket seems still there...something was mentioned about Sirius Radio antenna....I have thought about mounting one of those small 1980s limo tv antennas just to cover the spot and may the v-shape will be a good fit. Can then stick a mini tv in the kinder area...

I will be looking for some trim for the headlight surround - it seems pitted. Mind you, I might just as well go to euro lights and bumpers, so....

My last couple for cars were Triumph's (roundtail Spitfire and TR3), so this'll be a change - won't feel like my but is dragging on the pavement. Also means premium gas....Oh well, I don't go far, so don't mind paying to go in style.

I understand bumpers are stainless, so can be polished...?

IF A/C works, great. If not - decorative. No need to spend on it, for a convert.

Windshield scratched - best place to buy replacement glass? Might polish up....

[meltedpanda]

what year is it , seems in good shape

[Desert Panther]

I enjoy hearing stories of cars "staying on the forum" even as they change hands among owners

That car looks super clean, I bet you will be amazed at the power compared to your TR3, LOL

I wouldn't bother with changing the oil after sitting in the garage over a winter. Oil wouldn't "go bad" in any way, in that short length of time. As soon as you start driving the car, any moisture will evaporate out of the engine once it reaches operating temp.

This forum is a great place to come for information about old Benz's and a good way to meet other enthusiasts as well. Welcome aboard.

[roberthead]

It is a 1986. And my favorite MB color.

[meltedpanda]

if i were going to buy a vintage SL again it would be the 89 560. It is the rock of the SL line, and if serviced will run a lifetime. Your price offered seemed fair to me , considering all of the service records. I think photo 319 unfortunately looks like rust. its a common area , and easily repaired as long as it has not eaten through into the fender well

What is the picture 313 represent , is that leakage of some sort .

I was able to ship my 62 from texas to KY for $600. If you are willing to wait , sign up with a car shipping company, when someone has a slot, they usually offer reasonable rates. I found them cheaper than uship I used Snowbird Transportation , Bill Mc Nabb

[roberthead]

Well, 319 was not rust. The car arrived, and first warm day I gave it a very attentive hand washing - looked it over with a microscope. Had an offer to buy it, and decided NO THANKS. This is a keeper. The shipper was an idiot and broke a corner window on the soft top - getting it fixed seems to cost more than replacing it....

So what do you do when you have a blue w blue top grey interior '86 560sl in your garage? You go out and buy a matching '86 560SEL... I don't drive much, might as well do it in style.

[meltedpanda]

Great news. And since you don't drive much , if you need someone to drive them for you let me know.