ok, ok, ok, I know ANOTHER fintail...(link and pics) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

WANT '71 280SEL · #1 11-17-2004, 05:38 PM

Here is one on ebay I'm seriously contemplating on bidding. What are your thoughts? He's sent me some pics along with some more additional info such as some of the history and specs.
He says in the auction he brought it over from Europe in 2000, so it's a Euro. It still has the kilometer speedometer AND velour. I personally prefer the velour, so bear with me... I would have to have this car shipped since it's 18 hours away, (I looked on mapquest...), so what do you guys think it's worth. I wouldn't be able to spend over $1,900 or so to get it to my house. Or at least for a running, etc. one....
Here's the link as well as some pics...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4503840281

Thanks
David

P.S.
Let me know fi you guys see any finatils laying around with decent bodies.

WANT '71 280SEL · #2 11-17-2004, 05:47 PM

Do you guys know of a way I could have the rocker rust repaired somewhat cheaply? I am a little bummed becasue it seems to have some rust on the RR door bottom, let me know what you guys think.
Thanks
David

WANT '71 280SEL · #3 11-17-2004, 05:48 PM

2 more...

WANT '71 280SEL · #4 11-17-2004, 05:50 PM

In the amil, he said the car has no A/C, P/S, and as the ad says, 4 on the column. Would this car be woth $1,000 then pay another $650 to have it shipped? The shipping is what's going to kill me.
Thanks
David

Hatterasguy · #5 11-17-2004, 06:50 PM

Go for it just jump in, go for it. I have been reading your posts for a few years now and you really want a Fintail. The car looks decent for 43 years old!

I would just expect to put some money into it and wouldn't sell your SD for a few months. Then use the money from your SD to fix all of the rust the proper way. Than keep her clean and out of the salt and it will never come back.

What have you got to lose? If you get burned it could be worse. If losing $1,400 on a Merc is the worst financial move you make your in good shape!

300SDog · #6 11-17-2004, 08:00 PM

This car is probably the one somebody from Colorado was talking about on this forum a couple of weeks ago. Remember the guy afraid that spark plugs, ignition wires, fan belts, etc for the Haeckflosse are impossible to find??

He said the car drove extremely well with zero suspension play. But he was also wondering about solex carb rebuild kits.

You can patch rocker panels and paint em rustoleum black below the chrome strip. Rust behind headlights is what's fatal on the 111. Ask Mark Disilvestro, he will probably be here soon.

Also there's torn headliner and water stains on door panels in the pics. Dont worry about original paint gone flat. It can be buffed out using elbow grease, as it looks like part of the car had been done before the owner got lazy.

Regarding $650 delivery, I'm more wreckless than most but would meet the guy at Denver airport with tool box then drive it home using gasoline additives and coollant flush en route for "Italian tune up".... thinkin of Kansas City as 1/2 way point for cheap lodging. In fact I'd be looking forward to the road trip, grinning from ear to ear for more than 1,000 miles.

"Value" of the car is in how it serves you and how many miles it racks up when you own it. After they've had timing chain and valve work at/near 120,000 miles, these engines can get another 100k. And it's typical for finbodies to use 1 qt of oil at/above each 1,000 miles.

Lack of power steering is not really such a problem, just means you wrestle with it a little for parking.

It looks to me like a decent car at decent price, rare opportunity to own the Haeckflosse Benz which many consider the finest highway car that MB has ever built.

Hector111 · #7 11-17-2004, 09:20 PM

You might also ask about the underbody and trunk area. You may also need to replace the front cross-member which supports the bumper. This was also rusted on my 61. The good news is that you can get most of the body parts from K&K.

Otherwise I think the price is fair. You can also rent a car dolly for about $50 a day. I would say go for it. The 220s is easy to work on and with very few power options, there are less thing to go wrong. I had my brakes re-lined for $13 ea Canadian. You could also repair the torn headliner on the post by facing it with vinyl.

I think the 4 door 220's will also start to appreciate in value as the supply dries up. With not too much cost (but lots of work) you could double what you paid for it.

Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.

Soon...

j9fd3s · #8 11-17-2004, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240DieselDog

Regarding $650 delivery, I'm more wreckless than most but would meet the guy at Denver airport with tool box then drive it home using gasoline additives and coollant flush en route for "Italian tune up".... thinkin of Kansas City as 1/2 way point for cheap lodging. In fact I'd be looking forward to the road trip, grinning from ear to ear for more than 1,000 miles.

Lack of power steering is not really such a problem, just means you wrestle with it a little for parking.

It looks to me like a decent car at decent price, rare opportunity to own the Haeckflosse Benz which many consider the finest highway car that MB has ever built.

its always fun to drive a used car home! the non ps is fine, the effort is low, # of turns is on the high side.

WANT '71 280SEL · #9 11-17-2004, 10:33 PM

Look at pic #4 on the first of the picture posts. It shows the RR quarter panel. Doesn't it seem as though the RR door is in primer or does it just need buffed and the RR was probably painted? I'm trying to convince my dad, (toughest part about my search). Everyone once in awhile he seems to be on my side, then he sometimes won't. Thing is, I'm going away to college next year so I have better things to be doing.
Thanks
David
P.S.
Oh yeah, I talked to a guy at K&K, (he was outside jumping a truck and the office was closed), and he said he THINKS they have aftermarket rockers in stock for $99 or so. So if I get it I could probably replace them myself.
Thanks Again

WANT '71 280SEL · #10 11-17-2004, 10:35 PM

If you look at the headliner, (in the auction pics), you're saying I could just put vinyl on top of the headliner, (or below it if you get technical)? I'm not going to sleep tonight...
Thanks
David

WANT '71 280SEL · #11 11-17-2004, 10:52 PM

Dieseldog, I saw the torn headliner and stained panel, which the headlienr was just discussed, but would you guys have any ideas about the panel? The ad says the rubber was replaced but are those stains probably from water leaks? I remember Mark Disilveresto (sp?) saying something about using Fantastic on them to eliminate the satins. I would want to make this a nice car. I don't want to replace the bondo patches on the rockers every other year, but I remember Jim Harris saying to use fiberglass after the rust is gone if I don't replace them. Which I could then just use a cheap jack instead of the lifting points.
Thanks
David

Hector111 · #12 11-17-2004, 11:00 PM

The cloth headliner on my 61 goes down the rear posts to the seat tops - mine is rotted and looks like the pic. higher up, the cloth is still ok. I plan to wrap the posts in vinyl and paint the rest with zinsor primer (see my other post). I think this will be very presentable and will save the cost of a new headliner and the labour of removing the glass.

I also have cracks in my dash which I plan to fill with a semi-flexible 2 part epoxy and paint with vinyl paint.

Wally

wbain5280 · #13 11-18-2004, 01:23 AM

It's a first version 220Sb. Notice the flap on the engine firewall. The car has drum brakes, unless someone updated it, and a single circuit brake system.

There are changes made after the introduction of the 1963 model year, discs, dual circuit brakes, front suspension changes.

Check for rust in the trunk area and spare tire wells.

WANT '71 280SEL · #14 11-18-2004, 07:48 AM

Seller lowered the "buy-it-now" to $1,000 where it instantly sold...I'm definitely bummed. I would have bought had I seen it drop like that, but I was zzzzzzzzz.
Thanks
David

WANT '71 280SEL · #15 11-18-2004, 09:36 AM

Here is an even nicer gas 190. It even has a sunroof.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4504322642&indexURL=0&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting

Please look at it and tell me what you all think. Would this be slower than my brother's 190D 2.2 5spd.? That damage in the LR could just be gone over with touch-up paint to keep moisture off of it. I sent an email asking about rust in trunk, etc. and any recent work done.
Also, I sent the guy an email who sold that Colorado 220S, and asked him to let me know if the deal fell through and I would buy it outside of ebay.
Thanks
David