I know that many of you buy and sell cars without a second thought. I think what’s happening is that I hate having to do something because I’m getting old.

I’ve had the SLC since ’92, and my plan for the last few years had been to restore it with my son, and when he's of car driving age, give him a real different ride from the Hondas/Toyotas/Subarus that the other kids would be driving.

So for the last 4 years I’ve been accumulating all sorts of parts to restore it, and really looking forward to working on it with him.

However in the last 3 years, I’ve also been accumulated surgeries – two hip replacements and in March, a laminectomy and spinal fusion. The hips went great, but the laminectomy and fusion failed – another story for another time. Left me chronically weak and in pain. Tough to get in and out of a low car, much less spend a lot of time wrenching on it.

Even with this, I think I would try to go ahead with the restoration BUT I have no confidence that my kid would even want the car when I finish. So I can’t see the point of putting the time, energy and pain into it, if I’ll have to sell the car at the end.

Now here’s the funny part. When I was 21 in ‘73, my Dad wanted to give me his ’68 Galaxy, gold, black leather interior. I wouldn’t take it.

It was an adult car, and I wanted a kid’s car. So I bought a POS ’68 Toyota with 100K miles for $275, and sold it 3 months later for $25 in a bar. My dad sold the Galaxy, and was pissed at me for quite a while. He was right. Obviously I was wrong.

So I’m saving myself the pain of my son’s rejection, and selling now.

Anyhow, the car listed in the “For Sale” section. More info on the car: http://www.shokaifareast.com/slc.htm

Tell your friends - I appreciate your help

Sorry to hear this. It is probably for the best though and I wouldn't say it's because you're getting old so much as health problems. Sounds like you've had a rough row to hoe.

Couple of observations about kids and cars:

Kids change their minds on a daily/hourly basis. Even if he badgers you constantly to work on the car and plan on giving it to him in a couple years, it's virtually guaranteed that he won't want it when the time comes.

The best thing I've seen so far to work is to take the kid out when he's of age and let him pick from a limited choice of cars that appeal to him. Then, work with him and give him guidance on modifying/restoring it to his liking. He should pay for at least a portion of the car and ALL of the mods with the exception of a Birthday present here and a Christmas present there...

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Keep it and do what repairs you feel your up to doing and find an indy to do the rest. At some point someone is going to kick themselves for getting rid of it and I have a feeling your son will want it. I have a hard time getting rid of my cars with the exception of the 87' 560SL last Saturday when I was driving it in the monsoons and it started raining inside the car....rrrhhhhhhh we almost made a side trip to carmax to get rid of her. She's dry now and on her way to DogChow the body man....

__________________
"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Hi Al76slc

I think it is good that you are trying not to repeat history.

From your post, however, I get the impression - correct me if I'm wrong (I'm not trying to be rude) - that you haven't spoken to your son about your feelings... what does he say?

I agree with Mistress...

You have a lot invested emotionally in the car. Keep it for now at least. She can always be sold later on...

It tears me up to sell a car. I have not done that since I had to get rid of my Impala SS in the D I V O R C E ...

To me cars are as much family members as the TSC (two stupid cats)

__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad

I have come to the same point in my life. I have a 1977 silver 450 slc with 113k miles. I had intended to install a 5 liter Ford engine in it not because the present engine is not good, (it will go from 40 to 140 mph before you can realize what you are doing) but because I am moving from a large home with a 3 car garage and a 30x30 workshop to an apartment in Austin.

I don't think it is so much the move and not being able to do the conversion as it is that this signifies a major turning point in my life that I am not happy about. I know that after all these years of running around the world and all the different types of employment I have had that after 2 weeks of living in an apartment I will be talking to myself. I will try to find a garage to rent but that could be $500 a month that I don't have.

You hit that nail right on the head....

We're here because we're MB people and car people. I think we all want to put the work into our vehicles because it's a labor of love. Fixing up my car with/for my kid was supposed to be that.

The fact that I won't be doing it is really tough on me.



Thank you all for the kind suggestions.