Funeral for a Friend or Deer in the Headlights - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JPL · #1 10-25-2002, 09:29 AM

Whoa is me. I have wrecked my wonderful 79 300 CD!

On Wedneday, I was on 84 West in Conneticut when I met with tail of a deer. Luckily, I am unscathed. Unfortunatly, both the deer and my benz are gone.

But, if you are in that area, you can profit from my misfortune if you act quickly. The front end of the car is shot, but there are many salvagable parts on the car.

I have removed the front and rear bumbers, wheels and tires, rear signal lamps, interior rear view mirror, and all switches, a few Burl wood peices including the center console which has minor cracking, and all emblems from the rear. (all of which I can sell seperatly)

Whats left? Well, the entire engine (except for the radiator, which is shot obviously), good rear quarters, passenger quarter panel, passenger door (drivers door suffered a bit from the impact), good trunk, drivers and pass rear views, molding. Inside: the dash is in very good shape with only minor cracking, door panels in perfect shape, black MB-TEX seats (a bit of sagging, but the Tex has no rips). Remember this is a CD (two door)

I'm getting sad writing this list, but I know that someone with a flatbed, and a better mechanical hand than I, can profit from this. I dont have the car, but I have the title. That sounds dodgy, but I live in Philadelphia, and the car was wrecked on 84 West in CT (near exit 10). It is currently being held at a towing/repair facility in CT. The place is anxious to get it off thier lot, so am I since they are charging me storage. Let me know if you want this car. Make me an offer. The owner of the tow place was talking about donating this car to a frat house so they can tear it up so MOVE QUICK ! He is already hounding me for the title.

Pls respond to this post and/or email me at jplevens@yahoo.com

Im gonna post a few pics

JPL · #2 10-25-2002, 09:29 AM

Here's another

JPL · #3 10-25-2002, 09:30 AM

third of four

JPL · #4 10-25-2002, 09:31 AM

With a tear in my eye

Man this f&^%*n Stinks.....

dieseldaddy · #5 10-25-2002, 10:09 AM

James,
Man, so sorry for your loss! Black on Black...and a CD!
is the engine damaged beyond repair? What about insurance?

Hopefully you can part it out for enough to get a replacement...

#6 10-25-2002, 03:56 PM

Sorry to hear that. The damage does not look too bad, I think you could have fixed her with a used hood, fender, radiator support, headlight and radiator. What are you going to buy now?

hillbilly · #7 10-25-2002, 05:04 PM

That was one heavy deer. I've seen tres do less damage.

hillbilly · #8 10-25-2002, 05:04 PM

trees

Wasuchi · #9 10-25-2002, 05:54 PM

Doesn't look beyond repair. Although I cant see what all's messed up underneath the car. Sorry for your loss.

#10 10-25-2002, 08:19 PM

That car is seriously awesome. Ultimate pimp...black on black...two door...diesel....my dream car....don't give up....see how much it'd be to have fixed...thats an awesome car.....

psfred · #11 10-25-2002, 08:33 PM

Your car has only "minor" sheet metal damage. Frame is straight (the bumper is fine). Parts cost is about $650 from Bernard at Euorpean Connection in Falmouth, KY, see if you can find someone to fix it. Car is worth about $6000, so don't let the insurance total it for less!

My friends son wrecked his 85 300D this summer, looks remarkably like yours, just the other side! More damage, too. He is planning on fixing it this winter -- remove hood, etc, get replacement fender and hood, straighten inner fender, replace headlight, etc. Should be less than $3000 at a body shop.

Sorry to see that beautiful car look like that, though....

Peter

#12 10-26-2002, 02:56 PM

Friend of mine did worst than that to a similar car in UK.

He had to replaced the whole front panel section, inner and outer wings, bonnet and door.

Took him about 90 hours of work and the car was as good as new after.
He did more than 60k miles in it after the accident before selling it.

The only complex part was making sure that the inner wing section was aligned correctly before finally fixing it.

He made up a jig that fitted on the top of the pillars. Then he could accurately measure the alignment of the strut mounts back to the bulkhead to make sure they were both the same.

This is the only precision part of the job.

Mike

Snibble · #13 10-27-2002, 01:38 AM

whatever you do... PLEASE RESTORE IT! It makes me sad to see such a wonderful example be parted out

speedy300Dturbo · #14 10-27-2002, 01:02 AM

I wanted to restore my car. But the damage was too bad. Check the pictures of the old car at:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=40153&highlight=crash+pictures

84300DT · #15 10-27-2002, 05:05 AM

that's really too bad James, i am sorry you have to say goodbye to that beauty CD - i remember it vividly at the NJ gtg

are you sure you don't want to attempt a restoration? realize it's a long way from home..and would cost to transport it.

bob