Am I sick wanting to buy the 300d (1960)

[tivoliman]

I've been asked to help sell a 1960 300d limousine (6 cylinder inline gas)

Here are some pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=billfisher.560sl&target=ALBUM&id=5339204592989222753&authkey=Gv1sRgCJ7U0tXgpITj5QE&feat=email

The car is 49 years old and has been in a garage for 39 years. The odometer shows 75K mikes (which over 10 years may be real).

I have no skill, garage space or money to do a off body restoration, but I'm interested in cleaning it up, replacing the rubber components so I may drive it in a parade. It has a Bosch mechanical fuel injection and a three speed automatic transmission. The seat leather seem recoverable (no holes and does not break when you touch it - I sat in the driver seat with no damage). No apparent rust holes. Some surface rust in the trunk and a rusty part on the bumper. Oh Oh - it has 4 wheel drum brakes!


The 560SL will be parked on a secured parking lot, with a car cover. This will yield a bay in my garage for the 300d (seems the d is lower case traditionally; as it follows the 3001, 300b, and 300c).

I'm a good DIYer, but not great.

Please remind me what else I should consider.

Many thanks

[Tony H]

Looks like a very expensive and time comsuming project. I would look for something a little more mainstream like a 108.

[roflwaffle]

I'd go for it but I have plenty of space/time so I'm a bit biased.

[t walgamuth]

They are lovely grand cars!

Too bad they are also fiendishly complex and the parts are expensive and very rare used.

I had the hots for one of those a couple of years back but chickened out.

They do not have the value to support a full restoration either, so if it is at all needy probably best to stay away from.

[cth350]

It's a parts car, sad to say. The little cosmetic things are incredibly expensive. You won't want to pay anybody to do the work.

You'd paint it before using it in a parade, right? Is it worth the 15,000$ it's going to cost you to get it back with fresh paint? That's what the right materials will cost along with the labor to do the job right. Replacing tail lights and headlights is a must along with some used pieces of chrome.

Hope you don't need a distributor cap. They're not cheap. Something like 1,000$ last I heard. That price is probably a tad low.

Visit www.3-0-0.org, a site dedicated to the preservation of these cars.

-CTH

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Yes, you are SICK!!

But I want to buy it too... The 300 series cars are SO SWEET.

You are wise to gather information. This will be a very expensive, time consuming project. Buying this car is a major committment of time and money, or a major mistake that will cost you time and money. If you acquire the car and just store it, will it deteriorate? What will it cost to store it? If you have to pay someone to do the work, you will probably never recover what you put into it. If you are willing to learn how to do the work, you can create sweat equity. Some Parts are SUPER rare and thus SUPER expensive compared to more common vehicles like a W108. What kind of parts will the car need? If you will only need mechanical parts, that is not so bad. If you will need to replace missing trim, wood, or ornamental type stuff, that might be expensive.

Having said all that... I bet it would be extremely gratifying to own and drive this car in its fully restored condition. Imagine the satisfaction of learning, discovery, hard work, accomplishment, and pride of ownership that you will feel. Also imagine the frustration, anxiety, panic, confusion, doubt and fear just to be balanced and realistic...

If you decide not to go there... send me a PM! I might be crazier than you are and buy it.

Jeffrey

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Yeah... Totally Sick...

[Petteri K]

I agree with Jeffrey. If You were offered some Ferrari -60 in same condition, would You call it "parts car"..

[tivoliman]

I still have not decided. Well actually I have, then my wife asked me to reconsider.

The thrill of working on something so classic is my driver. Even with the daily drivers, I enjoy working on them.

And the 300d, does not have a computer system!!!!

Karen and I have agreed on many aspects. Then she threw in a zinger. Bill, she said, if you are interested in a classic Mercedes. There is one down the road for sale. A 1960 190b (w121)! She learned that it runs and needs no immediate care. Well she said, why buy a car that will not run (today) when you could buy one that does run - all for $10,500.

But it's the thrill of the project I said. She gave me a cold stare.

BTW - there is some one 'waiting in the wings' for me to say no - then he will snatch it. He lives in AZ, and I in NJ - the car would receive good care there.

[t walgamuth]

The fintails are lovely cars which are coming into their own in value. Very rustprone.

The big three hundred is a whole different matter. Very very expensive to do anything but buy a nice one and do minor things to it. Not much value at present, will it go up, who knows? Most collectors would probably say not much.

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Cold stare? That sounds familiar... I opted for a garage queen W108 instead of the 1953 170Sb I was originally going to buy. I didn't have garage space, tools, or extremely deep pockets. The 280SEL could be driven immediately and my wife did not become a "garage widow". Yet...

This morning I bought a 1959 Fintail, that I am going to sneak into the off-site storage space I rent. At some future date, I will have some explaining to do. She went with me to see the car, and gave me the stare, then a lecture, and I sheepishly gave up without a wimper. Then I started scheming... waited a few days to really think about it. Called the owner an hour ago and made a deal.

So, I am definitely sick. Will start my own thread as restoration begins.

[lietuviai]

If you really want a 300d, look for a nice one that doesn't need any work. You'll never spend as much on a nice example as you would end up pouring money in this money pit.
You have to wonder why the car was parked nearly 40 years ago. The engine and transmission would certainly need to be gone through.
Also $10.5K for a Fintail sounds a bit much.
Keep searching and your classic Mercedes may actually find you.

[Mike D]

Originally Posted by JeffreyNMemphis

This morning I bought a 1959 Fintail, that I am going to sneak into the off-site storage space I rent. At some future date, I will have some explaining to do. restoration.

So, does this "off-site storage space" have sleeping accommodations?

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by lietuviai

You have to wonder why the car was parked nearly 40 years ago. The engine and transmission would certainly need to be gone through.

Yea. "Running when parked" is one of the scariest statements I know of.

Your wife saying "You did what?", ranks a close second.....

Jim

[LUVMBDiesels]

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

Yea. "Running when parked" is one of the scariest statements I know of.

Your wife saying "You did what?", ranks a close second.....

Jim

been there done that got the T shirt! She got title to the 1957 Nomad she NEVER drove in the DIVORCE