'50s - '60s resto project inquiry

[jsmith]

never really been in this part of the forums and not sure where interests lie. i am just curious how viable it is to do a resto project, really as a hobby, on say a late 50's benz? i remember an uncle having a pair of 220se's when i was growing up and i just loved those cars. i would even be interested in doing a 180D, anything late 50's and early 60's. what's the availability of parts for these cars? i have no clue as to what the costs might be, so any information would be most appreciated...

[psfred]

You can find any part you need, so long as you are willing to pay for it -- old Benz parts can be so expensive it's frightening.

On the other hand, there are still quite a few kicking around. I just saw a W110 chassis sitting outside the other day on my work drive -- seems that the barn is collapsing, so the car got moved out. Nice finny, seems to be in restoration (lots of primer).

Cost and low value for the finished car are the two problems. A 1954 Nomad may be worth $50000 in primer, but a 1954 Benz S class will be worth only about $10000. Rare models are more (ie the 600 Grand), but no production Benz is going to be that valuable.

Peter

[jsmith]

you weren't kidding - I found this one on ebay

i'm thinking of creative ways of doing such a project, for instance of having the shell done overseas, since bodywork is so prohibitive here in the states...

[ctaylor738]

You can poke around in traderonline.com and Hemmings to get an idea of prices. From what I have observed, though, there is not much of a market for any of the 50's - 60's cars except the 190SL's, the Ponton cabriolets, the 111/112 cabs and coupes (220seb, etc.) and the high-end stuff like the 300SL. The rest are fun to drive and work on and take to the club meetings, but you're doing it for love, not money.

There are a lot of mechanical parts available, but the other stuff may be hard to find.

[jsmith]

yeah, i know it would be for the love of the work. i prefer the pre-fintail shape myself. i have looked at some of the overseas boards too, these cars were much more common in europe than in this country. thanks for the input!

Frank Barrett, a $20 paperback published by Motorbooks. Got all the information needed on many interesting models, values, fun quotients, plus an informal history of the marque.

Barrett suggests whatever you want, look for a rust-free example. None of these models in sedan form is very expensive to buy in presentable condition, and are very interesting drivers.

Good luck

[mangpo]

check out www.mbzponton.com, this is the site for the late 50's. I guess they call them pontons. It a good site and a lot of info.

[sokoloff]

Join our ponton group. We've got about 250 members around the world and a there is tremendous amount of knowledge on that list. Go to http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ponton/ to join.

They are great cars and easy to work on. Parts are pretty much all available and not terribly expensive. As was said above, find a relatively rust free example.

Len
'59 220S Cabriolet
http://www.mbzponton.org/pax058/people/sokoloff/sokoloff.htm

[jsmith]

i found that link (actually it's org not com).

Len - awesome car and thanks for the invite! i will definitely lurk in your group...