My son is about to become the owner of a 75 220 diesel 4 door that was abandoned on his property in Nevada by a renter. I was there last weekend and only got a chance to have a quick look at it - It has a manual 4 speed transmission, we have not started it, but a look under the hood shows what looks like a fairly clean engine with an A/C unit. The best feature of the car is the front grill, complete with nice chrome, given the age and the condition of the chrome, it looks like it has spent most of it's life in the desert. Paint is faded-out beige, but all body panels are straight. It looks like it is a Euro model. Interior is aged with torn seats and shot carpets, but the dash has a nice instrument unit and the original radio. Like 14% of Nevada, my son has a lot of time on his hands these days, so I have suggested to him he dismantle the car and sell it piece-by-piece on ebay and craig's list. Do you think I am giving him good advice ? Is there a collector following for this car, or is it just another junkyard refugee? Any other info on this car, and advice on any parts that might have special value, would be appreciated! The car is in restorable condition, if the motor isn't blown or something. He seems to think after conversations with the renter is that the car just needs a new battery and an owner that can afford to put tags on it.

If the car is complete, it shouldn't take that much to bring it back to life.
He would have another vehicle to use. A rust-free complete car is pretty sought-after in these circles.

My $0.02 and you can keep the change.

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Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

I could not find one spot of rust on it - like a lot of Nevada cars, and no signs of body putty and not a dent in it. Just a lot of sun damage, and typical wear and tear to the interior.

Ebay it and see where it goes.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Always worth a lively CL (craigslist) ad, or a well worded with pictures Ebay ad.

In another life, I want to establish a MB, Cadillac, or Corvette salvage yard. With the Internet and CL - it would be a gas to do business nationwide/internationally selling parts that basically cost you little or nothing.

Depends mainly on what your Son should be doing with that time he has on his hands.

Many a small business have started from a hobby that someone just started on the side because they kinda enjoyed it.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

Post the question on Diesel discussion!!!

That will get informed answers,though possibly biased ones...


You might even get offers to buy, especially where rust free cars this old are adored, especially with the manual transmission.


The title and registration issues could be sticky, though.

Not to mention the filters and algae problems too.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

A good friend of mine does just that, but its not as easy as it seems. Finding skilled enough labor to work in a salvage yard pulling parts is one issue. Most of the good mechanics work on the live cars, and are well paid.

Getting the licensing and permits to have a salvage yard is another issue. Everyone neighboring the business will complain about it bringing down property values. That's why you don't see many new independent salvage yards.

Then you sell "good used" parts, and a good chunk of people want to send them back because they claim it doesn't work, when in reality they just misdiagnosed their issue and got the wrong part. Or they try and send back the defective claiming it to be the one you sent.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!