It is a little modern, but a few folk were interested in it when it was parked on a trailer at RRG, so I am starting this thread (Hotwire already gave his permission 
) Also, it won't stay standard, so bare with me whilst I fix it first!
The background... I had told bigperm that I was after a cheapish e55 estate (probably needing some work), but being fairly rare cars, it was really just a speculative heads up. Within 24 hours, he phoned me back to say he'd found one. How does he always do that?!
The w210 e55 was quite a thing in it's day, as it looks the same as all the other w210's that came off the production line, but they are almost entirely hand built by AMG. One man built each engine, then put his name on it. It is not silly quick by today's standards, but with 350bhp and 400ft/lb, it is no slouch in a 1700kg car. Really rather looking forward to getting it out there, especially as we have been living in Germany for the last 4 years, and not really played with cars in all that time.
So, it's a 1997 car, it is a Cat C, and it has some damage. However, these sell for £6-8k when in good condition, I paid less than a third of that. Time to play...
First view
Not too bad!
Yup, correct engine
Minty interior
Perfect seats with no bolster wear
And the damage
Front corner a bit bent, but nothing structural
Front missing
And the worst bit
A pillar not bent though, and the door still aligns perfectly.
Story goes that the guy lost it and hit a lamppost. The guy I bought it from took it and started fixing it up, new suspension and wheel, although I suspect he did this mostly so he could move it around the workshop. He then ran out of time and/or interest to get it finished. So, it is now mine!
He presented me with the keys. This photo speaks the truth
Firstly, lets get it home...
My trusty £500 lpg'd e430 wagon doing sterling service as always, 600 mile round trip. Towed at 50mph as if nothing was behind it
On the way home, I stopped in at another e55 (saloon) that was being broken for spares. Getting involved with a 12" petrol cutter the owner cut out the bits that are bent on mine. Took loads of spares inc. mint front wing and also got a spare set of front discs and callipers because... well, they are bloody expensive! Front discs are bespoke to the e55 and cost 600 quid a pair! These ones are better than what's on the car, so I will just reface them on the lathe at some point. All in £170 Result!
And home safe
Front bit of the repair panel is rather rusty, but that can be fixed later. Note, regulation custard creams on air box.
Damn, it took quite a knock here!
Lets have a look at this damage in more detail
It looks like someone has already been at this with a hammer. Hmmm.
Out with the grinder...
Cut as much bent bits out as possible.
And shape the spare part to fit. Measure twice, cut once!
Mock up with an old rusty wing.
Yup, panel gaps look about correct.
But first, need to cut out the rust in the repair panel.
Fixed!
Quick interlude to get rid of an old MX5 shell. Also got rid of my lovely '77 323 (orange bit of this photo). Pity, but it was just too far gone
Forgot to get a photo of it's last journey...
For most of the repair, I will overlap the metal slightly to get a good weld, but the front bumper bar really needs a bit more strength than that and would look odd if overlapped. Therefore I will butt weld it, but with some strengthening behind.
So weld in this plate with some spots
Then weld the panel in.
The gap between the two panels there is deliberate enabling a good strong weld between the three bits of metal.
And finally, stitch it all in.
I now used the old wing to ensure everything still lines up correctly as I am welding. By cutting this hole, I can weld this seam without fear of it warping or moving out of shape.
Close up. Approx 5mm overlap to get a nice clean weld.
Once all done, they will all be coated in seam sealer, then lots of rustproofing!
So this is after about 3 evenings work. Unfortunately I ran out of welding gas, so had to to stop this evening. Will update as I do more, but tomorrow, I get to play with this!
This will allow me to pull out the damaged outrigger as much as possible before then cutting out the damaged section and replacing it.
More soon
Comments, criticism, advice etc always welcome. I am just a hobbyist, and although quite confident at repairing rusty dross, never had a go at crash repair before, and just sort of making it up as I go. Therefore, I would be interested in any advice, especially if I could do anything better! Cheers!
) Also, it won't stay standard, so bare with me whilst I fix it first!The background... I had told bigperm that I was after a cheapish e55 estate (probably needing some work), but being fairly rare cars, it was really just a speculative heads up. Within 24 hours, he phoned me back to say he'd found one. How does he always do that?!
The w210 e55 was quite a thing in it's day, as it looks the same as all the other w210's that came off the production line, but they are almost entirely hand built by AMG. One man built each engine, then put his name on it. It is not silly quick by today's standards, but with 350bhp and 400ft/lb, it is no slouch in a 1700kg car. Really rather looking forward to getting it out there, especially as we have been living in Germany for the last 4 years, and not really played with cars in all that time.
So, it's a 1997 car, it is a Cat C, and it has some damage. However, these sell for £6-8k when in good condition, I paid less than a third of that. Time to play...
First view
Not too bad!
Yup, correct engine
Minty interior
Perfect seats with no bolster wear
And the damage
Front corner a bit bent, but nothing structural
Front missing
And the worst bit
A pillar not bent though, and the door still aligns perfectly.
Story goes that the guy lost it and hit a lamppost. The guy I bought it from took it and started fixing it up, new suspension and wheel, although I suspect he did this mostly so he could move it around the workshop. He then ran out of time and/or interest to get it finished. So, it is now mine!
He presented me with the keys. This photo speaks the truth
Firstly, lets get it home...
My trusty £500 lpg'd e430 wagon doing sterling service as always, 600 mile round trip. Towed at 50mph as if nothing was behind it
On the way home, I stopped in at another e55 (saloon) that was being broken for spares. Getting involved with a 12" petrol cutter the owner cut out the bits that are bent on mine. Took loads of spares inc. mint front wing and also got a spare set of front discs and callipers because... well, they are bloody expensive! Front discs are bespoke to the e55 and cost 600 quid a pair! These ones are better than what's on the car, so I will just reface them on the lathe at some point. All in £170 Result!
And home safe
Front bit of the repair panel is rather rusty, but that can be fixed later. Note, regulation custard creams on air box.
Damn, it took quite a knock here!
Lets have a look at this damage in more detail
It looks like someone has already been at this with a hammer. Hmmm.
Out with the grinder...
Cut as much bent bits out as possible.
And shape the spare part to fit. Measure twice, cut once!
Mock up with an old rusty wing.
Yup, panel gaps look about correct.
But first, need to cut out the rust in the repair panel.
Fixed!
Quick interlude to get rid of an old MX5 shell. Also got rid of my lovely '77 323 (orange bit of this photo). Pity, but it was just too far gone
Forgot to get a photo of it's last journey...For most of the repair, I will overlap the metal slightly to get a good weld, but the front bumper bar really needs a bit more strength than that and would look odd if overlapped. Therefore I will butt weld it, but with some strengthening behind.
So weld in this plate with some spots
Then weld the panel in.
The gap between the two panels there is deliberate enabling a good strong weld between the three bits of metal.
And finally, stitch it all in.
I now used the old wing to ensure everything still lines up correctly as I am welding. By cutting this hole, I can weld this seam without fear of it warping or moving out of shape.
Close up. Approx 5mm overlap to get a nice clean weld.
Once all done, they will all be coated in seam sealer, then lots of rustproofing!
So this is after about 3 evenings work. Unfortunately I ran out of welding gas, so had to to stop this evening. Will update as I do more, but tomorrow, I get to play with this!
This will allow me to pull out the damaged outrigger as much as possible before then cutting out the damaged section and replacing it.
More soon
Comments, criticism, advice etc always welcome. I am just a hobbyist, and although quite confident at repairing rusty dross, never had a go at crash repair before, and just sort of making it up as I go. Therefore, I would be interested in any advice, especially if I could do anything better! Cheers!
