'69 230 build w/LQ4 swap

[Coasttocoast]

Today I finished polishing the bumpers. I also degreased, sanded and cleaned the backside and the brackets. Then after masking painted with satin black.



The Cadillac V and Jaguar supercharged cars have a stainless mesh grill to differentiate between standard models. So thought would be a good idea for my project,

After disassembling the grill and polishing the surround I went to work on the insert.

The stainless trims on the front of the insert were mostly dented, the insert was also bent up a little and the rivets that hold the top had come loose. So spent some time cleaning, straightening, removing the stainless trims, and new rivets on the bracket. Also painted the backside of the surround silver.

I ordered a piece of stainless mesh off eBay, had to be oversized as I wanted to install diagonally. Then took it to a sheet metal shop to get the center bend just right.

After final cutting and fitting installed the mesh sandwiched between the surround and the insert. The mesh is about the same thickness as the stainless trims, so made a good fit.

After I see how it looks on the car I might paint the insert black. Also might need to fill the old trim holes. For some reason shows up more in pics than in real life.




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[Coasttocoast]

As of yesterday the paint shop had almost the entire car wet sanded down to 2000 grit and were about a third done polishing. They had it outside polishing under a tent, here is a good pic of the color and sheen outside.



I ordered a set of used European headlights, came out of California, look to be in good shape, except for the lenses. But I ordered those too.



I had previously sent off my Lorinser wheels to be straightened and chromed. They are done now and here are a couple before shipping pics.






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[300decel]

Nice!

[Coasttocoast]

Originally Posted by 300decel

Nice!

Car is back home, took your advice, had a few drinks!!!











I’m 90% happy with the whole paint job. A couple places I pointed out that need to be addressed, requiring more prep and paint, but I didn’t want to loose a 3 day weekend. So taking back next Wednesday.


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[300decel]

The color really makes the interior pop! Hope the paint corrections are minor and easily fixed. Looking good.

[Tomguy]

Looking sharp! Can't wait to see it all put together. I think I asked about power before, I have a feeling you know but are keeping mum for now - so it's big

[Coasttocoast]

Thanks guys for your positive comments!

Still haven’t finished the engine tuning for power numbers. The last time I had it at the dyno shop I hadn’t charged the A/C and I need to add an overflow tank to the radiator. After high rev’s water shoots out all over the engine! The computer will adjust for the A/C. They also wanted me to drive it some and make notes about shift points.

The overall paint job is great. All the big surfaces are smooth, flat, and shiny. This paint has a lot of pearl and metallic, can be hard to avoid zebra stripes and and a ghosting effect. There are a few little details that didn’t get picked up in prep. Mostly around the hood and trunk edges, minor. But the area between the headlights and the grill has visible sand marks, that will have to be resprayed.

They wanted to keep the car and fix, but I couldn’t afford to loose a 3-day weekend! Getting back drivable this weekend and driving back to the shop tomorrow.

Wheels came back from straightening and chrome. Took them right to Firestone and had the tires remounted. Calchrome did a great job. Beautiful finish. The wheels balanced up great and highest percent of run out was .004.

And thanks about the color. Changing colors, especially to one new to this car, is a gamble. In person I think the color really makes the car. And like you said, the red interior is going to really shine.

Here is a teaser shot;






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[Coasttocoast]

As I’m putting everything back together I realized I didnt get the seal between the headlight and the body with the headlights I bought.

Anyone know a place to buy? The part number is A0008265880.

Also, somehow I lost all the caps, seals, washers, nuts that hold the wiper arms on. I’m pretty good at keeping all the parts together, per assembly, in ziplock bags. But somehow I can’t find it. Who sells used Mercedes parts? I reached out to Reinvent the Wheel, but they say they don’t have them.

[CTD]

Car is looking good there. Have you thought of putting the inside trim "bars" on the grille over the mesh?

[Coasttocoast]

Another day of progress on the car.

CTD, my chrome bars were all dented up, one reason I was looking at alternatives. Once I get the car all put together I’ll be revisiting the grill. But pretty happy with its sleekness now.

Took out for some fuel.







Was able to get it together enough to drive. Still missing a lot of trim, all the door seals and a lot of the interior. Taking back to the paint shop in the morning so they can correct the few flaws.

Had a lot of fun cleaning up all the parts. The old grease in the lock mechanisms was like dried glue!

What do you think of my subtle changes?

No antenna, no rear deck model emblem, no side marker reflectors, euro headlights, grill, new wheels, dual exhaust, painted drip rail, no spare tire bulge, and added passenger side mirror. Of course, and the new color.


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[3doghouse]

It looks great. What is the paint color?

[Coasttocoast]

Originally Posted by 3doghouse

It looks great. What is the paint color?

Thanks for the approval!



The color is Ferrari Grigio Ferro



I think the color makes the car more alive, but yet, in the right light, looks close to the original.



Before pic;

[Tomguy]

I think it looks sleek and classy, with the right touches to show a "Resto-mod" custom build. It's likely similar to what I'd do given the right car, time, and budget.

[CTD]

Wow, that car is really coming alive! The European lights look good on it. If you wind up looking for the chrome grille bars, they should be available from the dealer or e-bay. There are two types: one for the narrow 1968-1973 grille, and one for the wide 1974-1976 grille.

[3doghouse]

Originally Posted by Coasttocoast

I think the color makes the car more alive, but yet, in the right light, looks close to the original.

Agreed. It fits, and adds to the style of the car. Outstanding color choice.