Ive always wanted a fintail, but could never find one worth buying. I told my wife since they are becoming harder to find that the next time one came up for sale that was decently priced, I was gonna jump on it. The one I ended up getting was off a guy who worked down the street from me, I'd see him drive by all the time but could never find out who drove it. I tried to chase him down and offer him money for it, but never found out. I was always searching craigslist for one, and one day, it was on there! I reached out to him, told him my back ground with Mercedes and how many I own, and bought it the following day, it lasted barely 24 hours on craigslist. haha. I havent done much of anything to it, straightened out the front bumper a bit, tuned up the carbs, changed the oil, but thats about it. I ve just been driving it occasionally, but she pretty much lives in the garage next to the W108.

Never understand why people think screwing up a cars suspension looks good but whatever. To each their own. You have done an incredible job on it After all that, and given that it was your wedding car, (and I'm assuming is pretty reliable after all the work you've put into it) if it were me I'd keep it.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

thanks! To a degree I completely agree with you, I will be honest that I do enjoy a lower suspension, on any car to a degree. It only seemed right in regards to saving the car to put air suspension so I could have it lower when i wanted, but always drive at stock ride height so i wouldnt ruin the car. In any case, the car would have been sent to the scrap yard or chopped for parts if I didnt buy it. I drive the car every where, its been to NJ, MD, DC, all over VA since I rebuilt it, but she honestly is a garage queen.

Incredible!

Any tips for painting outside? I've got a VW that needs to look pretty

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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment

Painting outside is easy. You obviously have to watch the weather. Wouldn't want rain on a wet paint job. Not too windy, avoid very early in the AM, and too late in the afternoon, you want to avoid peak bug times. When i do it, i like to put the car up on 4 jack stands to raise it a bit.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

def what Wodek said, too early in the am or too late in the afternoon, you have moisture issues.

A very slight breeze in a steady direction keeps the bugs off, and somewhat controls which way the overspray goes also. Never try to spray outside on a windy day though.
Spraying outside does have its advantages. Natural lighting, less space limitations than a garage. And you don't get clear on everything in your garage that's uncovered.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

I sprayed this one in the wind, haha, but it wasnt by choice, the day was pretty calm, of course until i started spraying. Bugs is hit or miss no matter what the wind is doing IMO. I would say more towards the earlier side of afternoon than later, as the bugs will be out more in the later portion in regards to want to land in fresh reflective paint. It also gives you time to let it cure so when at night if a light is on, there not gonna want to fly in it and get stuck, painted an Alfa I had [in a garage mind you] and I flicked the light on to grab something and when i turned it off, "thwack!" only to find a moth smacked into the quarter and rolled/flapped his way all the way down the whole side from the top.

You will also want to take into consideration your outside temp, as they do make hardeners that will work with the outside temperature for which your spraying in. You dont want to get a 70 some odd degree hardener and spray it when its 90 degrees out.

Hey Lewda, you may have tricked those other guys, but I don't believe you did that amount and quality of work in two months. To convince me, you need to come to Miami and let me see you actually do that work.........I'll supply the car though (a black '67 Fintail). Great work. It's amazing, air bags, varnished back panel, and all.

It get's a little boring when you go to a car show and all the cars are restored the same....what's the fun in that? The customizations set you apart and allows you to express yourself. Do what makes you happy, and keeps you interested in the car. Like you said, If you didn't rescue it, it would have been scrapped.

PS - don't forget to book that flight to Miami, and bring your tools.

Randy - Miami, FL
'67 Fintail

Haha, thanks for the kind words, just ship your car up here!

Took some more photos yesterday of the W108 and the W111

took more pics

It looks great.

__________________
$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges
$110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges
No merc at the moment