There's plenty of experience.

I would say that first on the agenda is to find out if the motor will turn over. If it is frozen there is a very good chance that you will get it running but that it will need rings or another engine.

Gas turns to peanut butter after a few years.

Next, you will have to clean the entire fuel system including tank, filter, pump, metal lines, fuel rails, etc. You will need to replace the rubber and fabric lines that connect the stuff in the rear. The pump may be clogged and beyond repair.

You can then change the oil, I would try heating up what is in the crankcase with a heat gun first, and you need to hope that the pickup screen is not clogged because you need to lift the engine to get the pan off. You can then start the engine and find out (if it has oil pressure) that it smokes like crazy because the valve seals are dried out.

Then you will almost certainly have to replace the brake calipers and hoses and do a thorough flush.

Then you can drive the car and see if the transmission still works and find out what leaks.

Coolant hoses will need to be replaced.

Then you can sort out the suspension issues.

Then, if the car is in average condition, you will have a $5000 car. And a lot of satisfaction that you brought one back.

__________________
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