Hey guys and gals,

Thursday I drove by a local junk yard on a route I don't normally take. I saw a good looking 380SE out front with the front end smashed in. I turned around to check it out even though the place was closed. Upon inspection, I noticed that the Zebrano wood was in pretty good condition. It being an item that I have been looking for, I went by this afternoon and pulled all the wood trim. I wish the interior of that car was gray because then I would have an almost perfect dash with only one small crack by the driver's side speaker.

I'll post pictures of what I got. I want everyone to tell me what the lot is worth and I'll tell you what I paid. I'm not selling anything yet as I plan to use it on my car. I just want to see if what I paid is on par or close to the value of these parts.

Aaaaand, what you have been waiting for:

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1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

Continued:

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1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

So I went out and removed the old trim from under the gauge cluster and I think I have some idea of what a previous owner has done. It looks like they peeled off the veneer from the original trim piece, leaving the base wood in place. Then they got another piece of trim wood, removed the mounts from the back, broke off the side wing, and glued it in place over the original base wood.

I can't fathom why someone would not take a few minutes to do the job correctly. It only took me just under two hours to salvage every piece of wood in that 380SE and that included taking off all 4 door panels, CCU, and other odds and ends. It only took me an hour to swap in the new piece and the passenger vent piece.

I'll post a picture of the old trim so y'all can laugh because it really is so sad, you can only laugh.

__________________
1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

Great find! Unfortunately South Florida doesn't have many U-pull type places and the one I go to typically has 2 W123 cars and they are usually picked through fast!

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1980 300TD, SOLD
1984 300TD, 275K
1999 C230 K Black & Tan
2013 C250 Black
1974 CJ5 Red
You might faint from the fight, but you're gonna find it. Every challenge could have paradise behind it. -John Popper-

Similar situation down here. The car I saw this time was not at the usual PNP but at a smaller, independent yard. I hate dealing with PNP because if you want a bunch of stuff, they charge you XYZ for ever nut and bolt. I prefer to deal with small yards or individuals who I can negotiate with on a fair price for a bulk amount of parts. I like to tell the seller what I want and offer them a reasonable price. I'm not out to steal but I don't want to get bent over, either. I figure the yard can either sell me parts at a reasonable price or they can wind up crushing the car for the value of steel. I know they get cars dirt cheap at auction and anything I offer them is gravy on the top. I also prefer to pick my own parts; not only saving the seller time but also ensuring the part is not destroyed by someone who is unfamiliar with its dis-assembly.

__________________
1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge