My new 1972 280SEL - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ether · #16 12-26-2010, 07:15 PM

I'm a big fan of blue exterior. Not so much of a blue interior fan but it's growing on me.

Benz Dr. · #17 12-26-2010, 08:01 PM

This isn't a hand built car. All the wood pieces should be the same or very close.

The one thing I do have a lot of is spare 108/109 parts.

suginami · #18 12-26-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benz Dr.

This isn't a hand built car. All the wood pieces should be the same or very close..

I guess it depends on how you define "hand built". I don't think they had very many machines putting these cars together back in 1965-1972.

I corresponded via e-mail with one of the companies that specializes in restoring the wood in classic Mercedes, and he wrote that the wood dash bows were custom fitted in these cars, and that a dash bow from another car may not fit as nicely.

Benz Dr. · #19 12-27-2010, 01:54 AM

Don't you know when you're being fished in? The guy probably wants you to restore the wood from your car and not get something better from a parts car. This stuff was mass produced not had carved by someone with a jack knife.

By the late '60's the cars were made on assembly lines like any other car. If you're talking about 190SL's or 220SE Cabs. from the ' 50's then you're talking about a lot of hand installed parts.
There's nothing special about 108's in terms of exclusive or hand built.

suginami · #20 12-27-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benz Dr.

Don't you know when you're being fished in? The guy probably wants you to restore the wood from your car and not get something better from a parts car. This stuff was mass produced not had carved by someone with a jack knife.

By the late '60's the cars were made on assembly lines like any other car. If you're talking about 190SL's or 220SE Cabs. from the ' 50's then you're talking about a lot of hand installed parts.
There's nothing special about 108's in terms of exclusive or hand built.

I guess I'll buy your distinction that these cars were mass produced, and not built in very limited quantities like earlier models from the 50's.

In any event, I'm not really being fished in. My dash bow is in the same shape as probably anything I can buy used. His preference was to refinish mine instead of refinishing another used one.

Benz Dr. · #21 12-27-2010, 02:51 PM

OK, it's kind of like a fair trade.

I'll buy that the guy wanted to use the piece that came out of your car because he knew it would fit.

Tomguy · #22 12-27-2010, 10:18 PM

Very nice 4.5!

Equitas · #23 01-17-2011, 12:42 PM

Here's a link to the codes on your car:

Mercedes Option Codes

joshhol · #24 02-01-2011, 02:05 AM

Very nice! I can't believe any of these things come with uncracked dashboards anymore

Ether · #25 04-23-2011, 11:04 PM

Finally got around to registering the 108 a few weeks ago and realized I had been incorrectly calling it a 1972 model when in actuality it is a 73. Hmm, don't know why I had assumed it a 72. I wonder how many W108 chassis were delivered as 73's?

I haven't done much work on it but I have a few items lined up that need attention. I have a broken piece on the wiper linkage that needs to be replaced (got a replacement linkage from a parts car) and while I'm in there will be replacing all the heater controls that have crumbled away. (Parts car had a nice condition set)

I'm hearing an occasional pop from the front suspension that I presume is bad tie rod ends but will need further investigation.

Needs both front window regulators (dang parts car was manual windows) Man, those are expensive new, so I'm looking hard for some used in good condition.

When I first got the car back in December it ran quite rough. Felt like only 6 of the 8 cylinders were firing. Haven't taken any action to remedy that situation other than drive it, but it runs like a top now. Go figure.

jgranzier · #26 04-24-2011, 06:04 AM

Hey Joe
I may have some regulators for you. Looking at a 72 280 parts car (?) today.
I ll let you know if they work

Joe

alabbasi · #27 04-24-2011, 10:54 AM

You're in a nice spot. Georgia (especially atlanta area) has a lot of W108's in the junk yard. At least that was the case when i lived there in 2007. I would routinely see 4-5 W108's at the pull a parts there.

Good luck!

Fulcrum525 · #28 04-24-2011, 12:34 PM

I like it!

Interestingly if my father ever bought a classic Mercedes I think it would be one of these. He seems to have fond memories of someone who used to own one in his hometown in Portugal. I think it was the only Mercedes in the entire town....

Ether · #29 04-24-2011, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgranzier

Hey Joe
I may have some regulators for you. Looking at a 72 280 parts car (?) today.
I ll let you know if they work

Joe

That would be very cool.

Ether · #30 05-08-2011, 12:44 AM

I installed good used window regulators in both front doors today (thanks benznut). Both windows go all the way to the top now. Woohoo!

Next up is replacing a broken windshield wiper mechanism. I have a good replacement from a parts car but, suffice to say that getting to it is going to be a bear. Dash is apart, defroster duct is removed and next out is the instrument cluster. While I'm in there I will also be replacing the broken heater control levers and mechanism. I will no doubt be leaving many skin and blood cells behind.