I Found A Cool Fintail Wagon - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

meltedpanda · #31 03-09-2011, 08:06 PM

ooooh this is getting good, keep us posted , I have my fingers and toes crossed for you!!

DWitcher · #32 03-09-2011, 10:42 PM

Fantastic wagon! I think you would be better off repairing the body of the wagon rather than graft the wagon parts onto a clean body. It would be worth more as a restored original wagon. Either way, I hope you get to be the new owner, Dave.

Squiggle Dog · #33 03-10-2011, 12:12 AM

At first I was thinking of grafting the wagon parts on a rust-free body, but I am now leaning more toward just cutting out the rusty panels and replacing them. I would want to make sure at the very least that every VIN number stamped on the body was the same!

I talked with the owner today, but apparently someone else wants the wagon and now I'm sort of in a bidding war... He did say that he would feel better about selling it to me, but I would have to pay at least $1,000 for it, maybe more.

It's a bit disappointing. I want the car, but I don't want to get taken advantage of or play silly games. I'd pay $1,000 cash and pick it up ASAP, but regardless of the rarity, there's nothing like rust to kill a car's value, and it's going to take quite some doing to make it whole again.

I should know for sure tomorrow. If he'll sell the car to me for $1,000 I'll get it and have it here Friday or Saturday. If he changes his mind and says he wants more money or wants the other person who is interested to make a counter-offer it is really going to be aggravating and I'll probably have to fold.

DWitcher · #34 03-10-2011, 12:29 AM

I've been there. Tell the guy you're going to restore it and you're not here to play games. Either he wants the car to go to a good home or not? Be up front and firm. If it's meant to be...........

10fords · #35 03-10-2011, 12:54 AM

If it doesn't work out I know where there is one for sale. A 1969 universal if I remember correctly. It is in much better shape. I thought about buying it, but didn't need another project. It's been awhile, but I'm pretty sure it's still there as he wasn't trying to sell it- I noticed it while doing work on the property and asked about it.

vwnate1 · #36 03-10-2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

At first I was thinking of grafting the wagon parts on a rust-free body, but I am now leaning more toward just cutting out the rusty panels and replacing them. I would want to make sure at the very least that every VIN number stamped on the body was the same!

I talked with the owner today, but apparently someone else wants the wagon and now I'm sort of in a bidding war... He did say that he would feel better about selling it to me, but I would have to pay at least $1,000 for it, maybe more.

It's a bit disappointing. I want the car, but I don't want to get taken advantage of or play silly games. I'd pay $1,000 cash and pick it up ASAP, but regardless of the rarity, there's nothing like rust to kill a car's value, and it's going to take quite some doing to make it whole again.

I should know for sure tomorrow. If he'll sell the car to me for $1,000 I'll get it and have it here Friday or Saturday. If he changes his mind and says he wants more money or wants the other person who is interested to make a counter-offer it is really going to be aggravating and I'll probably have to fold.

We've all been there , don't let your emotions get the better of your common sense .

If he gets too greedy , leave him a card with your contact info and in a month or so when he realizes you were the only one with $ , he'll call you .

I'm hoping you get it , I also hope you have a full idea of what you're getting into as I see many good cars get scrapped after owners give up .

Squiggle Dog · #37 03-10-2011, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 10fords

If it doesn't work out I know where there is one for sale. A 1969 universal if I remember correctly. It is in much better shape. I thought about buying it, but didn't need another project. It's been awhile, but I'm pretty sure it's still there as he wasn't trying to sell it- I noticed it while doing work on the property and asked about it.

I'm very curious about that Universal. Is it a finbody like this one?

10fords · #38 03-10-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

I'm very curious about that Universal. Is it a finbody like this one?

From what I remember it looks exactly the same. Finbodies are not my specialty though so I might not know the subtle differences. I'm a 123/126 guy (for now!). Your thread caught my eye because I remember seeing the one near me and was wondering if it was the same one.

neubob · #39 03-10-2011, 10:40 AM

about 15-20 years ago i found a 230s fintail wagon w/ sunroof a/c auto p/s and in really good shape rust wise. i had been looking for years and probably located @ 10-15 of them all with more rust then i wanted. they were asking more then i wanted to pay for this wagon. i looked at this wagon for 6 months and one day said to myself "what are you waiting for this is the best one you have ever seen and has all options for that year". i drove the 50 miles to buy the car and it literally had been sold a few hours ago. this is zero hype or story telling and i have never forgotten it or forgiven myself.

Txjake · #40 03-10-2011, 12:38 PM

I want one...

meltedpanda · #41 03-10-2011, 02:44 PM

get in line (lol)

Squiggle Dog · #42 03-10-2011, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neubob

about 15-20 years ago i found a 230s fintail wagon w/ sunroof a/c auto p/s and in really good shape rust wise. i had been looking for years and probably located @ 10-15 of them all with more rust then i wanted. they were asking more then i wanted to pay for this wagon. i looked at this wagon for 6 months and one day said to myself "what are you waiting for this is the best one you have ever seen and has all options for that year". i drove the 50 miles to buy the car and it literally had been sold a few hours ago. this is zero hype or story telling and i have never forgotten it or forgiven myself.

Was it a brown one? I think I remember seeing one of those around that time. I think I know the person who bought it, and as I recall, he sold it to someone in Germany.

Squiggle Dog · #43 03-10-2011, 05:31 PM

The seller and I agreed upon $1,000 cash and I will be having it towed to my house tomorrow. I'm really excited. All of that moss will be coming off right away! It could really use a bath. Poor thing.

t walgamuth · #44 03-10-2011, 05:42 PM

Good luck with it!

I once had a 51 Caddy convertible which was very rusty but complete. I was into caddies at that time and really wanted to finish it. Not having the $25K to fix it up I eventually sold it along to a doctor who had the money to invest to make it a $40K car (fifteen years ago).

I made some money on it. Cannot remember how much. Maybe a couple of thousand.

It may have been the first hobby car I did not lose money on. It had a trunk full of caddy parts. IIRC I sold a set of special wheel covers for $375.

I still have a pile of caddy parts at home.

(My point being if you don't let it deteriorate further you might still make money on it even if you never get around to restoring it.)

Joseph_Conrad · #45 03-10-2011, 07:00 PM

Awesome! I look forward to following your updates. Looks like the license plate in the back of the car was last tabbed in 1997, if those plates are from the car, it's really not all that long ago that that that wagon was driving around. Best of luck!