I need either some support or to face reality
 

I've been fantasizing about taking a mid 70's 280C and reinforcing the chassis, chopping off the roof, and retrofitting the motor and 5 speed tranny from a late 80's 190E. I'd have a fun car to putt around town and still get good gas mileage and have low emissions. I'm reasonably advanced with the CIS and EZL systems so I know what's in store there. I've located a '76 280C in need of restoration for $500.

My wife is one month from delivering our first, a baby girl. Am I totally crazy to think that I'll have the time to do this? Is it even possible? Somebody either needs to encourage me or talk me down because this 280C is going to go quickly.

Thanks,
Robert

JMO! But if it were me ! I would be devoting all my spare time right now to that new member of your family! Your better half gonna need all the help and support for awhile! And they really grow fast! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:


Smokie

I'd say if you want to try it... you have maybe 8 months at this point before the real ***** starts to fly :D Edit: (she'll be sleeping a lot and she can't get into too much trouble until she can get off the blanket)... but you never know what will be up around the bend any more... so be ready for your project to turn into a decade long affair.
Good luck with your new little one. If they weren’t so amazing they would be considered a 20-year sentence with no parole. :eek:

Are you thinking of something like this:

http://www.pokaljaeger.de/Gallerie/T...ingDays230.JPG

http://www.pokaljaeger.de/Gallerie/T...ingDays232.JPG

http://www.pokaljaeger.de/Gallerie/T...ingDays231.JPG

Yeah! That would be the ideal model, but imagine it in desperate need of restoration.

I'm leaning towards holding off on the project. As A264172 and smokiesman point out, the future is full of more important things...

have you done this kind of thing before? Sounds like it could involve some fabriacation and such of mounts, driveshafts, etc.

Fantasy
 

My vote is for facing reality. Wait until you can afford it and buy a good convertible. Always buy the absolute best you can afford: you can buy quality and condition a lot cheaper than you can restore it.

You could probably get a very nice CLK320 for about what it cost you to do that nicely.