[IMG]http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/p...o/DSC01343.jpg[/IMG]

I had my 84 300D thrown on a frame straightener. It was free, as it was my uncles buddy and he owed him. It worked awesomely! He had me give him a headlight/corner/bumper/fender/hood ahead of time so that once it was off the rack he could trial fit everything.

Didn't even have a corner light gap afterwords.

http://i425.photobucket.com/albums/p...o/IMG_3646.jpg

Wanted to get back on here and finish this story.

I ended up spending about $350 for all the parts I needed at the Pick N Pull. I bought a strap, attached the frame to a pole and ratcheted it into place, put in a new oil cooler, engine driven fan, fan clutch, radiator, etc..., and bumped the hood back with a mallet.

The grille sits about a 1/8" higher than the hood now (rather than flush). The headlights also don't line up perfect but you cant tell, and also its no longer 100% original perfectly restored car. I dont mind, I get a lot of miles out of it and its just as stylish to the naked eye.

Thanks :)

Sorry to hear this. Always sad to see good cars get hurt.

this is an easy fixer.

get the 4-wheel alignment checked. If it's to spec, you're in good shape. If not, then you're going to eat tires until it gets fixed.

BTW, the labor of setup is step because it's slow and complicated followed by the removal of the front fenders & bumper if the radiator support needs to be replaced.

To get a used radiator support, first find a car that has one that isn't rusty and remove its fenders front bumper and radiator. Then whip out a sawzall (battery operated ones work well) or grinder with cut-off wheels. And slice off the nose, leaving a few inches of metal going back toward the body.

-CTH

I used to have a 1985 300CD in black with a black interior. I have not seen one before or after until seeing yours. It seems to be a very rare color combo....Rich

I'm really glad you posted this thread - I picked up an '83 300d a few years ago that had also taken a hit to the front. I originally intended to part it out (wanted the drive train) but decided it was too nice. So recently I replaced enough of the crashdamaged parts to get it running again - alternator and its mount; radiator; oil cooler; fan and fan clutch; and thermostat housing. She started right up and sounds really sweet. Idles smoothly, no smoke and seems to have plenty of power. Nnext set will be to mount the new hood and fender (or rig up some kind of jig or markers) and deal with straightening or replacing the core support. I think I'll try the ratchet - strap method first - certainly couldn't hurt and might have incidental benefit of straightening the slightly buckled right inner fender, too.

I have a portapower hydraulic pump that I got on that auction site for a home-made pop-tester (works great and was stupid simple to build); might be a good idea to get some of the attachments and goodies the body shop guys use with those things. Not sure where to tie on the ratchet strap, or from where to push or pull, but I suppose it will become self-evident if I'll just get up out of my armchair and out to the barn.

Mice got to the interior during the time the car was receiving no love but I have a couple of other parts cars to scavenge from - better rescue the usable interior bits before the mice get to them too.