PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - Ok guys, I want a show car. Help me find one

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Pre W116 Mercedes Benz show car for under $10k.
What the heck, shoot for a 300SL gull wing or a 540k :)

We are in the finishing stages of a SWB 600. It had the usual air suspension problems that we were able to fix in the shop although I installed all new air bags. When the hydro system failed recently, I was quoted about $3,000.00 to rebuild the Barmag pump. We fixed it with a .20 cent O-ring.
So far, the most exspensive part I had to buy was a drag link for about $475.00 The car was very free of rust but we managed to spend about 23K on paint and body work. All removable parts were painted off the car. All of the chrome and most of the interior was done before we bought the car so that saved a bunch of money.

A lot of these old cars have stories about how exspensive they are or how hard they are to work on. I wouldn't say it's easy to work on and yes, the parts can be exspensive but the car is like nothing I've ever worked on. Without a doubt, one of the finest cars ever built.

100K would be for an average car - this one won't be average.

So when is the big reveal happening ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benz Dr. (Post 3102900)

Agreed, these old timers will soldier on, but the real magic happens when the whole car is adjusted back to specs. Almost everything is adjustable on the old timers and they take a special type of owner who is willing to be the caretaker of the car.

My father quit driving his 1961 190SL in 1971 because nobody could figure out why it was hard to start after it sat for more than a few hours. One of the many remedies that were tried included tossing the original fuel pump with the primer lever for a generic fuel pump and doing a valve job.

It turns out the fuel selector valve was sucking air because the cork gaskets and seals had dried out. We figured this out by using a minty vac tester, and replaced the whole unit since it cost less than 100 dollars at the time(1995).

It only took 24 years to diagnose and repair the issue.:D

Sorry I never updated... Herbie's first show was last week.

What year is it? 65'?

Its actually a 1961 with later tail lights. 50,000 original mile survivor.

Older lady bought it new, painted it to look like Herbie after seeing the original movie. She quit driving in 1993 at age 94. I purchased it from her son, who finally chose to part with it. So up until me it was a 1 family owned car.

Its pretty neat as it sits. I'd like to do some stealth modifications to make it drive like it looks in the movies, but that won't happen anytime soon. In the first movie they used a 356 motor, which would be very cool, but not cheap. The high performance crate motors are pretty affordable, along with suspension and disc brakes modifications. For this season I'll just enjoy it as is.

I'll keep the original paint with its great patina. The interior is in fantastic condition.

It was way under my budget obviously. I was obsessed with the movies when I was a kid. I cannot drive this thing without drawing crowds. People have to take a picture of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jplinville (Post 3095631)

The hell with the car...I want the chick on the shirt!!!

Hey BUDDY!!!! :mad: that's my daughter. :D:D:D

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860 (Post 3132062)

Its actually a 1961 with later tail lights. 50,000 original mile survivor.

Older lady bought it new, painted it to look like Herbie after seeing the original movie. She quit driving in 1993 at age 94. I purchased it from her son, who finally chose to part with it. So up until me it was a 1 family owned car.

Its pretty neat as it sits. I'd like to do some stealth modifications to make it drive like it looks in the movies, but that won't happen anytime soon. In the first movie they used a 356 motor, which would be very cool, but not cheap. The high performance crate motors are pretty affordable, along with suspension and disc brakes modifications. For this season I'll just enjoy it as is.

I'll keep the original paint with its original patina. The interior is in fantastic condition.

It was way under my budget obviously. I was obsessed with the movies when I was a kid. I cannot drive this thing without drawing crowds. People have to take a picture of it.

What did you get it for if I may ask? I am wanting to get a pre '67 beetle sometime soon but not a Herbie.

Sort of like this but not on air bags

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j2...tle_Girl_1.jpg

This one is an oval window but I'm going for anything pre '67. If I can pick up a zwitter for a song then I would get it(but that would probably never happen)

I paid too much. If I had seen it in person I wouldn't have given more than $5000. More "patina" than I was expecting. With shipping I'm a few thousand more than that into it.

I guess since its not a flip it really doesn't matter. I should also consider myself lucky that the car arrived as rust free as described.

I hope the heater channels aren't full of "patina"

Does it have the Webasto roof?

I bet you can imagine how envious I am of you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon (Post 3132105)

I hope the heater channels aren't full of "patina"

Yeah, 52 years old with a part that naturally collects water. I'll go without heat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860 (Post 3132112)

Yeah, 52 years old with a part that naturally collects water. I'll go without heat.

Make sure that the exhaust system and gaskets are sound anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860 (Post 3132051)

Sorry I never updated... Herbie's first show was last week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860 (Post 3132062)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860 (Post 3132088)

Just an idea/suggestion, but in my experience Porsches represent much more value that I'd sooner put money in an old show car vs a Volkswagen. A '50s - '60s Porsche would represent some very fine value, if you get a good one. A lot more pop 'n possibilities for the buck IMO.

My work colleague 37 years ago brought a '65 Porsche 356 back to Memphis, Tennessee from Orange County, CA. for a song. Of course I was into '60s/'70-'71 muscle cars and Corvettes. He sold the 356 a few years later for $5K and kicked himself ever since for selling it. The late '50s/'early '60s Porches are very collectable and resaleable cars, now that I have had three colleagues now buyin' 'em. The Calif. guys really know where it's at with the old Porsches - all three of my Porsche wheelin' dealin' colleagues were born and raised in Calif.