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#1
10-27-2003, 06:08 PM
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114 chassis 280C body parts? Restore or Replace?
Hello Again,
I'm further into my "new" '76 280C now and I'm really starting to like it. The problem is, it needs all the sheetmetal that isn't available from the aftermarket! From the collective experience of this list, would I be better off looking for a more rust-free car to start with or can anyone recommend a body shop on the east coast that could fabricate such things as the trunk seal rail and source inner/outer rockers, firewall panel, etc? The floors are easy...lower quarters are out there...outer rockers, too. But the inner rockers and other odd ones are hard to find for this chassis (or I'm looking in the wrong place.) Thanks! Mike I will post pics soon... 
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#2
10-27-2003, 08:29 PM
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Given that pretty good (relatively) rust-free cars are on the market for $1500 and up, it is hard to see how you would be better off fixing the rust. You would need a rear quarter to get the trunk seal rail. I am sure that the other parts are probably available from Mercedes at enormous cost, and I wouldn't even want to think about the labor to weld them in, paint. etc.
You have to remember that if you do all the stuff to fix it, it is still a $4000 car. Sigh.
__________________
Chuck Taylor Falls Church VA '66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe
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#3
10-27-2003, 08:54 PM
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Thanks! It's settled, then. That's what I expected. I've been in this situation with other cars. No restoration. With my Volvo, I just put a V8 Chevy in and enjoyed it's quickly decreasing value! I'll just turn this car into a part-time driver / track mule while I look for another classic Benz (now that I know what to look for
 )I've been looking for a place to put that Grand National turbo anyway! I wonder how long the M110 engine/auto trans will hold up at 10psi!!!! 
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#4
10-28-2003, 04:56 AM
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Last time I checked, you could buy the inner/outer rocker as a complete assembly from MB. This type of thing makes a major restoration more palatable.
I think you would have to be prepared to fabricate metalwork where the panels are not available. However, Chuck is spot on about the end value. These cars are never going to be worth a lot of money. The labour of love can become a labour of hate quite quickly once you start putting a lot of time in. I had a 250C that I was restoring and bought a 280CE for spares. The 280CE turned out to be in much better condition, but in the end I gave up on both of them.
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Cheers, Neil
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#5
10-29-2003, 02:16 PM
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Well it's leak free now thanks to some sheetmetal and fiberglass. I'll be selling it since it runs well and someone else will love it more than me, I'm sure. I'm more a Volvo fan than MB (sorry
) I'd rather spend the money on the 122S I've had my eye on than on this car. If anybody is interested, here's a pic. More info in the Cars for Sale area.
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