Finally Made a Big Decision

[mbbuff]

After having my really nice 73 280C for over 25 years, I finally decided to get rid of the door dings, paint chips and other minor flaws. It has always been a very nice "20 footer" and I've tried to take good care of it the whole time. One thing has led to another, including finding that it had been hit in the right rear quarter panel sometime before I bought it. It was a great repair that I never knew was there, but now I've decided to go the full route and jump in with both feet. Here are a couple before pix and the beginning of the "complete" makeover. Quite a difference. I'll post periodic updates. I told them to take their time, just have it done by late next spring.

[LandYaghtLover]

Its amazing how much of the accent items "make" the car. Without them, its just a shell and lined up with others they are much harder to ID.

I wish to do this with mine someday.

[D&W]

Your doing what all of us dream of doing at some point in our lives! I was lucky in that mine has been repainted in the past very well, but there is some collision work that means 'not perfectly straight' but c'est la vie

you've earned it 25 years! enjoy! would love to see pics as you get them...

did you agree on a price prior?

[suginami]

Do you have an aftermarket auxiliary fan in front of your evaporator?

[JimFreeh]

Wow!

Yours is the only other black/black W114 coupe I've seen.
Other than the wheels, looks just like mine (I've got vintage BBS).

I still love looking at mine, such a pretty design in black.

I'm looking forward to finishing up my last daughter's college expenses in another 4 or so years, and then my 250C is up for repaint....

Jim

[Tomas7]

Do you have pictures of those vintage BBS? Please?

[280EZRider]

Originally Posted by suginami

Do you have an aftermarket auxiliary fan in front of your evaporator?

That's the condenser. The evaporator is inside the car

[280EZRider]

Recently there was a discussion about the removal of the SAE side marker lights on another W114. If it ever suits your fancy, now would be a good time to do it, especially since the ugly USDOT bumpers were not put on your car.

[mbbuff]

D&W, we've "kind of" agreed on a price, but that will change upward as they find flaws and extra work. It's amazing how something that looked pretty good had so many flaws. For instance, I never knew it had been hit in the right rear quarter panel. Although it was an excellent repair (before I bought it), it will require more work, as will the deck lid, the hood and the left door. I am also replacing both front and rear window rubber seals, as well as both door's weatherstriping. Except for the quarter panel, most of the other stuff is minor cosmetic stuff, but extra work, none the less. I am paying them a little each month as it progresses. That way I won't be hit with a huge bill all at once.

Suginami, a little over a year ago I spent about $2500 on parts alone, and went through just about everything, replacing and repairing/updating mechanical and electrical components from one end to the other. At that time I put in a new radiator and instead of another new mega $$$ clutch fan, I opted for a modern, fully thermostatically controlled electric fan system. The stock fan was replaced with a 14 in. and is controlled by an adjustable thermostat. I replaced the aux. fan with a 16 in. which I set up to work ANY TIME the A/C is on, as well as with the 100 C temp. switch. I no longer have the minor overheat problem I used to have in summer city driving with the A/C on. This mod. cost about the same as a new factory clutch fan unit, and has worked great, so far.

JimFreeh, I am with you. I have never seen another black/black 250/280C, except pictures on the forums. I know they're rare, and that's one reason I'll hang on to mine as long as possible. I also have a completely original, never touched black/black 250S that my dad bought new in 1967. It'll go to one of the kids someday.

280EZRider, thanks for the tip. I may consider it. I've had to replace one of those, and as I recall, it wasn't cheap. It would clean it up a little too.

[Tomguy]

Good luck on this project! I hope it comes out perfect - black can be a tricky color. I would personally suggest euro headlamps if you do consider the marker delete. Go full euro on the look & don't look back, it'll clean it up a lot.

[JimFreeh]

Originally Posted by Tomguy

Good luck on this project! I hope it comes out perfect - black can be a tricky color. I would personally suggest euro headlamps if you do consider the marker delete. Go full euro on the look & don't look back, it'll clean it up a lot.

X2

I've got the euro headlights on my 250C.

Jim

[mbbuff]

Jim, do you have some pix of yours with the Euro. lights?

[JiveTurkey]

Originally Posted by mbbuff

Jim, do you have some pix of yours with the Euro. lights?

Here's Wilma (250CE) with her (original) euro lights. I think you should go for the euro lights, they actually have a great light output.

[Squiggle Dog]

Here's another black on black coupe: http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/2074263323.html

Mercedes Benz 280C Classic 1975 - $5395 (Seattle)

Date: 2010-11-22, 10:03AM PST
Reply to: sale-xjpnj-2074263323@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

280C Mercedes Benz Classic 1975. 280,000 miles Beautiful condition, black exterior, black leather interior, body in perfect shape, kept in its original look, garaged, no accidents, original Becker radio, non-smoker, sunroof, automatic, maintenance records available, and well taken care of. Very reliable, fun to drive, and stunning to look at. Please call 206-729-6928 evenings/weekends or 425-867-5366 during the weekdays. $5395 OBO

• Location: Seattle
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 2074263323

[JMURiz]

Sweet! Love the W114s with early bumpers...I'm working on getting a set myself, along with taillights and steering wheel for a full back-date look

BTW those euro lights you have JiveTurkey are AWESOME, hard to find for less than crazy $ in the states.