rebirth of my 1990 300SL

[MBenzNL]

Yesterday was a very good day; my SL saw broad daylight again and it felt GOOD!!!
I took the car out of the garage it has been standing in for the last couple (2..) of months and started by washing off all the cumulated dust and old bug-kills. You probably can imagine that I had to take the car for a ride and it felt great again (although the car is not finished at all).

The biggest surprise was that the cruise control that I added actually functioned properly!

Here are some pics of my 1990 300SL-24 in daylight with the first Xenon/HID rays beaming onto the pavement:

[IMG]http://communities.msn.nl/_Secure/0MwAAAJcQVJkz8iL9OAL4rhcSFBnK7pLO85cylb6nC2H8EOQ*hjztmNEnZp1PpW6azGOOX6!UrH4Bk8lCX!YtTg/300SL-newfront5.JPG[/IMG]

[IMG]http://communities.msn.nl/_Secure/0MwAAAJUQDpkz8iL9OAL4rhcSFBnK7pLOESijjxCIQt*zfjECUsoXxl5hrrTDKeHXDyHztT8wOvMYvw3AY3UmRQ/300SL-newfront3.JPG[/IMG]



[IMG]http://communities.msn.nl/_Secure/0NgAAAO0QaMQz8iL9OAL4rm6CcX14hLI0CQT26vzdkXtf6Wn2SusJV*dL!syw6VOIc8n0bE0if3oXXPDTpvIOLQ/300SL-newrear1.JPG[/IMG]



The third brake light was not a standard item on the European R129; it was an option (which my car didn’t have when it left the factory).

[IMG]http://communities.msn.nl/_Secure/0NgAAAOkQ1cMz8iL9OAL4rsmSRiqhnURMPJbkj!y2Jpt5PVWG4YuFEZbgQX5XGwybF3*6A6jAUv2DwATn6sOoHA/300SL-newside2.JPG[/IMG]

And a side view with the changed front fender panels and added side markers.

I hope you enjoyed my addiction …

greetingz,

[MBenzNL]

Here are some before pictures to compare the changes:









greetingz,

[ericdee]

Now that is a nice looking ride!

[AJG382]

MBenz;

It is really looking good. It's as if you traded in your SL for a newer one.

I don't know if I would have the nerve or technical know how to take on a job of this size.

My "HAT IS OFF TO YOU"

Tony

1993 - 300SL

[elau]

MBenz,
You are incredible!! What a transformation.


95 R129
98 W163

[jjrodger]

Are you going to fit the latest rear light clusters?

[G-Benz]

What a transformation!!! MBenz...you dah man!!!

[MBenzNL]

Thanks for the compliments!

I learned a lot about the R129 while taking it apart AND putting it back together again. This is the first R129 I ever worked on (one just have to start once with whatever seems "necessary").

I installed the front light leveling system last weekend in combination with new sway bar rubbers (the sway bar had to be taken out to get the leveling system in) and #1 spring pads (instead of the mounted #2 spring pads).

I will keep the current taillights since they are already model 95-99 (or whenever the taillights changed into the current appearance). I will change the steering wheel for a new(er) style steering wheel and want to change the heater/airco controls for the digital climatronic controls that are used since 95 (have to sort out the electrical lay outs first to see whether this is possible or not, but already ordered a control panel).

I still have to do the rear axle work and will change the lower door and rear fender panels next winter for model 95 panels. For now I just want to enjoy the weather!

greetingz,

[rainmaker]

What about the Silver Arrow stuff? :p You ever got around to ordering those parts?

Your car's looking really nice, my friend! Keep those pictures coming.

Oh, they have a 500SL engine on the site you pointed out to me...something like $4200...you might want to put that in too!

[MBenzNL]

The 500 engine is not a mod I have in mind. In the Netherlands there is a little to no price difference between the older 300/500SLs because the people over here rather drive a 4, 5 or 6-cylinder instead of a 8, 10 or 12-cylinder vehicle. I particularly searched for a 6-cylinder convertible when I wanted one...
The silver arrow grill might be a part to buy in the future (maybe something I can take back from a US Holiday).

I am currently mailing with a German fellow who converted his silver 94 320SL with black leather interior into a model 2000 SL! I am not the only lunatic on this globe .
He has the newest taillights, side mirrors, door panels (inside and outside the car), partly leather partly wood steering wheel and Xenon lights...without the sensor on the rear axle (I guess he has the same psychic problem with removing the rear axle).
It is nice to know that there are more idiots that do not know mathematics (as I have been called on a different forum before) like me.

greetingz,

[G-Benz]

I like your new signature too!

Does everyone over in the Netherlands drive such totally hot cars like yours? What a garage!

Was the front fender panel replaced by itself or were the door panels replaced also. I was also looking to replace the front fender panels. Have you replaced your steering wheel to a newer version?

[el presidente]

Looks great....

Are the wheels from an SLK??