I bought a 1960 W111 220S as a parts car for my 1963 220S. I basically wanted the interior (most or all of it including wood) and the chrome (probably all of it). I bought the car in not running condition with the story that it had been in the family for 20 years and was parked for the last 6 months because the fuel pump failed. I have no service records or anything at all to substantiate the 10 year claim.

After charging a battery and connect a gas supply directly to the fuel pump and using a little starting fluid, I verified that the car starts right up and that gasoline leaks from the fuel pump, so I believe the fuel pump story.

I have replaced the fuel pump with a new one and added a (different) in-line filter, and put 2 gallons of gas in the gas tank. Also fixed a couple of flat tires and verified that the car has at least SOME brakes.

The choke cable is very very frozen so I disconnected that at the choke side of the cable and verified that the car basically starts right up. I saw some smoke from the tail pipe but didn't see a lot.

I also BRAVELY drove the car around the block. I didn't see smoke out the back, but I probably couldn't from my position. The brakes work and the booster works but it pulls to the left. The steering is as vague as you can imagine. The transmission linkage (manual column shift) is incredibly vague (which I could probably fix by putting on a gear selector that has the bushing still... I should have tried that!). It goes through all gears correct, the fuel gauge seems to work, the temp gauge (yeah!) also works and the thermostat seems to open.

When letting out the clutch the car shudders before the clutch is fully let out (when starting from a stop). Fan motor works well (better than in my 63) and the car has original underdash Kuhlmeister. Fan on that works also, AC compressor isn't in the car. Front and rear windshields are both good with new gaskets (without the trim installed in the gasket) and the rear glass (original) has an original Kuhlmeister sticker in the center (see photo)

The car appears to not leak oil, I think the carbs were rebuilt at some point although the presence of silver spray paint has be a bit disappointed, some of the exhaust is new, all of the interior is new (but not necessarily correct and I probably want the seats and wood), this was someone's shoestring restoration project.

I think it's a good parts car for someone who needs a drivetrain. The body is crap - lots of bondo and some rust. Most of the roof and part of the hood are bondo. If I press down hard on the front fender right behind the headlight I can push trough the bondo-rust in a small space about 3 inches around.

The car has a clear title (which I have _not_ put in my name) and has $200 of back fees with CA DMV.

I someone out there looking for a drivetrain from a running car? Or for anything unique about the very early fintails (torsion bar springs for hood and trunk instead of conventional springs, different pattern on door cards, etc)

I have removed the turn signal switch and horn contact ring because I want them. I will be removing the temp gauge.

The good for sale:
Engine
Carbs
transmission
rear end
kuhlmeister underdash stuff
front windshield and gasket
rear windshield and gasket
tires are about 10 years old and look new, not cracked

I don't know if I should pull what I want and drive what is left to the junkyard for $500, or if I should sell it such that someone else can title it and use it, or part it out...

Any interest? I'm in Pasadena CA and I am _not_ looking to ship big items anywhere.

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