Greetings All,

I've got a 1985 Euro Spec 500 SEL for sale. The car runs and drives but has many issues that need to be addressed and would be a great vehicle for a restoration project. Cloth interior, sheepskin on the front seats. It's rust free.

The car belongs to my father in law. It's been sitting in his driveway for years, I finally convinced him to sell it. The odometer reads 140,000+ but he says it's not working and it's actually closer to 170,000+.

I'll be stopping by his house this Easter weekend to get some pics and will have them uploaded here as soon as possible. I own a 190E, and I know what those cars go for. But I haven't the slightest clue what these cars are typically worth. So if anybody here is interested, make an offer and we can take it from there. Any questions are welcome.

Vehicle location is Fredericksburg, VA 22406

Thanks

Prepare for the "lack of info" onslought!!

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63 220SE Cabriolet
78 450SL (under construction)
84 300SD
85 500SEC

I know I know. I'm heading over to my in laws this weekend to get all the details and pictures.

...make sure you can find the importation and releases for the car.

I cannot get a car insured without those papers here in Virginia.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

JimFreesh,

We have the title of ownership, but how do I get importation and release papers?

Thanks

The DOT and EPA releases were supplied at the time of conversion. Should have stayed with the car.

Slim chance you could track the shop that performed the conversion, but most were small and are now out of business.

The insurance companies know the cars are grey market by the serial number. Liberty Mutual always asks me when I insure a grey market car.

Now, my 280E has a notation on the title saying the papers are on file with the state of VA. I'm hoping this will be enough when I finish fixing it....

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Hi Jim, thanks for the info. well.. The car was purchased in Florida a while back, and I believe the guy who sold it to us is also had it imported. I doubt my in law wants to go through the hassle of tracking the guy down, so slim chance we'll have any more documentation. I just need to move this car. I'm not going to turn down any reasonable offer.

Here are some pictures I took today. More are coming tomorrow evening.

What are the "many issues"? The one I told you I bought had a bad supply line for the hydro suspension. It is not obtainable in the US, and the hydraulic shops around here will not make one due to the banjo fitting. That's an issue that will drastically reduce the price. More pics of its "Euroness" please. Mine had manual heat/ac, headlight height adjusters, German writing on the combi switch, etc. Oh, and a VIN would be nice so I can see if I can get insured.

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79 MB 280 SEL Euro 133k
77 MB 450SL 154k
05 Mustang GT Vert (3) 104k
12 TSX Wagon Tech (66k) (192k)
06 Subaru Outback base (135k) 164k
16 Acura MDX (109k) 111k
18 Silverado 2500 LTZ Midnight (212) 56k
97 Ford Ranger 163k
11 RAV4 154k
01 Escape 173k
04 Honda Pilot 292k
1967 Mustang (Resto Project)
1968 Mustang (Parts Bin)
00 Ford Ranger 124k

*** Update 2 - engine bay. The video-sound quality is poor, but here's a video of the engine running and a few pics of the engine bay.

The engine sounds pretty good considering it's been sitting for a long time. Doesn't leak any oil. I don't see any oil leaking from around the valve cover gaskets. Pulled all the spark plugs and they have a nice tan color, no oil. There is a leak coming from what I think is the power steering pump.

As far as the issues are concerned- The engine runs a little rough, click on the link below and you can hear the engine running. It also runs hot. I don't know if the auxilliary fan kicks in or not- that's another thing I'll have to check.

I don't know what to look for to verify it's Euro Spec. I know the car is grey market, that it was imported. I'm just putting two and two together. Some guy wrote me saying to check the exhaust system, that the Euros have a different exhaust, but according the my in law, the exhaust has been replaced. So question is, what are a list of things I can check to verify it's Euro spec?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUFmdzHGCzg

Vin number will tell the story. If it starts with "WDB126...." its a euro model.

Thanks, man! I'll find out later today if it is indeed a Euro model.

It is.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Hi t walgamuth, what gives it away?

The bumpers look euro, cloth interior is euro and they did not make a 500 for the us market in 85...it was a 560, I believe. Interesting car. A little rough but a euro 500 is surprisingly quick. I drove one locally once about ten years ago and it would smoke the tires on take off.

It should also have a 224 limited slip diff too.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Thanks t walgamuth. Cars made for the European market have the steering column on the right side, and this car has it on the left side. Do you know if that was that a modification?