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Hybrid 107's (450380560's)
I saw a car this weekend that looked to be a 560, but on closer inspection it was actually older. It had the '86-87 third taillight, the 560 front spoiler, 560 wheels, the nameplate, but it was clearly older. The owner said that it's previous owner (who had also done a rather good red repaint) put that stuff on and it was really a 79 450SL.
Taking a close look at it, I will say that I think the older door handles were a little more proportionate to the car than mine (which I think were out of MB's parts bin) and I liked them. The bad point was that the +1 inch older 5 MPH US bumpers looked (to my eye) much worse than mine. The gap where you can see the street through them is pretty big!
I don't think that these cars (except possibly perfect original examples of '72-73's) are going to be truly "collector" cars in the forseeable future, so I wouldn't have a problem picking "the best parts" from all of them to make "the perfect 107".
My dream 107 would have:
-500 "truly Euro" or 560 engine
-A/C and "climate control" (you turn the knobs!!) from a Euro car
-Euro headlights with windshield wipers (very early Euro 107's had these, I think)
-Euro bumpers (until I got hit, anyway).
-pre-86 front end (not as aerodynamic, probably, but more true to the original)
-560 upgrades (like the wood, seats, ABS, airbag - actually, I'd probably start out on a 560 platform, there's a lot of stuff ,some subtle, like the easy-to-change brakes 86+)
-Pre-86 doors (but they don't fit 86+, BTW).
-I think the novelty of a manual would wear off fast for me but I'm sure others have different opinions on this.
Hmmm...the above sounds a lot like an '85 500SL!!!
I've made a few mods and upgrades on my car but none are irreversible (so far) and I have all the original parts.
How many of you have a "hybrid"?
Opinions?
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