Hi everyone,
I need some advice. My neighbor recently passed away (at the age of 84), really really sweet guy who also had a passion for Benz's. He leaves behind a wife, three grown kids, and a 1955 190SL which his wife and family have very very generously offered me. It has been sitting in their garage for quite some time and is in slightly rough condition. Needs radiator work and some transmission work, but the body is extremely straight, original paint is good but could use some TLC for now, and probably a new paint job later, the interior is in extremely good condition with no cracks in the dash or leather, all gauges function, and the engine runs, albeit a little roughly with good compression and good oil pressure.

What do you guys think? Do you think it's worth the money that it's going to take to get it running in prime condition? Is it a sound investment? My neighbor's family was the original owner and the car only has 92,000 miles on it. If I don't accept it, it's going to go to auction with the proceeds going to cancer research, so I guess if I take it, I'm depriving a lab somewhere of addition funds. Thanks for the input.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

.

All I have to say is: WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If it were me I would put it back on the road and let your old friend enjoy seeing it from heaven. He probably would want it that way.

Good luck,

While I am far less than an expert on the restoration work that may be required, I have to tell you that this car is a dream.

My father owned one when I was younger. It was a joy to drive and to ride in. As I recall, they are mechanically straightforward and fairly easy to work on, as "we" did all repair and maintenance work.

The only caution that I would have is underbody rust. My dad's 190SL basically had the rear end "fall off". My advice is to check it out, have any issues that may arise address and enjoy a truly magnificant car.

You are truly lucky man, enjoy the wonderful gift from your neighbor. I am envious

JCD

One of my dreams has always been to own a 300SL so I guess a 190SL is pretty damn close. Regarding underbody rust and rot, the car is spotless. I'd even say that structurally, it's concours quality. I do have two concerns though. The first is the price and availability of parts, the second is the fact that I'm depriving the medical community of a reasonable amount of research funding. I was thinking about fixing up this car, maybe including a new paint job, then selling it at auction and donating the proceeds under the name of my neighbor. We'll see I guess. I'll have to push it over to my house and take a real look at everything before I decide what to do.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

Without a doubt you should try to put it back on the road. Especially at that kinda milage.

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Jim

Grab it.
These are valuable cars, whatever you decide to do with it, and it appears that this particular one is in very good condtion.

Parts for SLs are much more common that for other models as far more of them are restored!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I would also say buy it. Some collector would probably buy it at that auction and turn it into a "trailer queen". Buy it, fix it up, enjoy it on the road, and then later on down the road either sell it for cancer research money or you could donate it to the American Cancer Society. BTW how much did they ask for it?

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

I spoke to my neighbor this evening and decided to take the offer. She was telling me about some projects that Mr. Dentzer (the late Mr. Dentzer) was working on a few years ago before the cars were stowed away in the garage. It'll be a good project to finish what he started. The added surprise to all of this is that with the 190SL, I get a Volvo P1800S. I don't know what I'm going to do with these. I'll probably keep storing it in their garage next door while I finish up the work on my MG.

Rick,
The cars were offered to me as a gift.

I'll let you guys know how all of this plays out.

Thanks for the advice.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

You'll do your late neighbor justice by
completing the 190SL project.
An estate auction usually doesn't bring much
anyway. On your own you can donate to that charity.
I used to own a P1800S,two actually. forget what year.(also '67 MGB-fun)
They are interesting cars. Sell it.
Women seem to like these.
(secret agent- 'the saint')

keep us posted!! pics.

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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

Dieselhead,

Due to the fact that this is a personal decision, I have hesitated to respond in a way that might influence you, but I want to offer a thought.

First of all, if this fellow and his family did not have strong feelings for you they would not have made such an offer. Not completing the project could even be seen by them as disappointing or maybe even insulting. Everyone reacts differently in such situations.

I have an idea for you to think about. If you have any desire to complete this car and see it on the road in all it's glory in the hands of a friend of the deceased donor of the car to you, you can complete the car, enjoy it, and then will the car to whatever organization you wish. This car will ONLY appreciate, and will provide even more funds to that organization at some point in time.

Another thought I would like to offer. I have no statistics on the particular organization to which it is being considered for donation. But, most all of the organizations soak up the majority of donated funds in administrative costs rather than all the money reaching those who really need it, or to the actual research being done.

I'm sure that the family of your neighbor would be very pleased to see this car completed and on the road in the hands of a beloved friend of their lost family member.

Good luck with the decision,

Larry, I couldn't have said it better.

Dittos!

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Sounds to me like it was ment for you. You could always donate some time for local cancer fund raising.....
William Rogers....