rr69h
Part of things
Posts: 313
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Ornbau had a car boot sale which landed me a set of nearly unmarked headlight lenses which responded well to the dishwasher treatment. I also found a NOS grille emblem. Have a well educated guess which parts are the old ones and which are the replacements: So I started with the lenses. Have another well educated guess which side is done on this picture: With both headlights cleaned and reassembled I turned my attention towards the grille. I had new chrome stripes sitting on the shelf for quite some time now so I addressed everything in one go. Off with the old... ...and on with the new: Job jobbed.
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"Racing drivers never carry cash"
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rr69h
Part of things
Posts: 313
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Jul 15, 2012 11:45:39 GMT
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Hello, yesterday I was planning to do a few minor jobs on the car. To start off slow I concentrated on the headlights again. The new seals just arrived: So it was off with the lenses again: Judging by their condition I was the first one in 40 years to give them any attention. Can you spot them? I had a hard time finding them, too! They are the dirty grey lines near the outer edge by the way. They were leaking quite badly and when compared with their replacements it's quite easy to see why: With both sides done a little detail in the interior was up next. The lower dashboard trims are made from cardboard and the one on the car's passenger side has had it. It was ripped, bent and generally all over the place. I took the old one out which sadly was too far gone to use as as a template for a new one. BUT: amazingly, Mercedes still sells you new ones today: 15 Euros it costs, yay! Before installing the new part I had a quick look under the dash where I found... an unknown wire. Imagine my surprise when I started pulling it and discovered this: You've probably guessed it: this microphone is connected to the radio and allows you to record messages! How brilliant is that? My mind wandered off a bit when I was imagining the first owner furiously shouting into that microphone while on full chat on the Autobahn in 1973: "Fräulein Klein! Please make an appointment for ze customers from Stuttgart and remind me to pick zem up from ze airport on ze tuesday, ja?" ;D I'm missing some kind of clip to fix it to the centre-console, but other than that it's complete and: in full working order! Anyway: new trim thrown in: Next up: ultra-rarity. The very first W115s were sold with red rear indicator lenses. The US got them up to somewhere past 1970 I think, but in Germany they were replaced with orange ones from late 1969 onwards. Technically these were identical to the US-ones, but of course this being Germany the ones on German cars have an embossed control-stamp which makes them road-legal. So these are generally rare as poor quality wobbly children's play pony poo. IF you can find a set they are usually scratched, cracked and STILL cost more than an arm and a leg. I've been on the hunt for them for years now and finally could net a set of unused NOS ones: On the car: It makes it look a little more 60's I think which generally is a good thing. Plus: it's completely reverseable. I generally like that thought. That's why I want to try the 2-piece wheel trims on which were the standard for most Mercedeses up to 1965-ish. Side profile as of today: Quick 'shop of W108-wheels on (red rims, red hubcap): Same wheels, black rims: And obligatory: And of course: What do you think? My favourite is the black rim with a slight drop (if and only IF I can find some way to make that happen and keep within German regulations). Cheers, Felix
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"Racing drivers never carry cash"
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Jul 15, 2012 12:54:44 GMT
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I like the Chrome + Red. And the whole damn car. And that Mercedes still sell parts for these. Love it
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rr69h
Part of things
Posts: 313
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Nov 10, 2012 21:41:41 GMT
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Evening, the car is due for a Tüv-inspection (actually it ran out in september) and a few small niggles along, but all of this will be dealt with next year. I've had one last go while the sun was out: After that it was brimming it with fuel, inflating the tires and then putting it into hibernation. Can't wait for spring to arrive!
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"Racing drivers never carry cash"
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MJK 24
Part of things
Posts: 175
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I love old Mercedes diesels from this era. They were engineered for a long and economic life. The complete opposite of their modern CDI engines!
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Nov 11, 2012 11:33:57 GMT
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I love the secret microphone!
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Currently: 1974 Beetle - Golf -
Previously: e38 735i, e34 525iSE, 1972 Beetle, 1991 Scirocco Scala, Morris Minor, 1983 Polo Breadvan, 1991 Mazda MX6
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Dec 26, 2012 19:01:50 GMT
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Just found this thread...very nice W115
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rr69h
Part of things
Posts: 313
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Dec 28, 2012 10:16:34 GMT
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Thank you, much appreciated!
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"Racing drivers never carry cash"
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rr69h
Part of things
Posts: 313
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May 11, 2013 15:35:55 GMT
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I'm writing this post with my arms hurting like a curse word, but with my mind at ease. Let me explain. I store the car in a workshop over the winter without covering it up in any way. This usually results in the need of a wash when I take it out of hibernation, but has the benefit of not getting any moisture trapped anywhere in or near the car. This time though I could tell something was up after the usual wash: Hm. I didn't remember owning a dull brown-ish Mercedes. Then I sat in the car and realized that even the glass had something unusual baked into it. I still have no idea what it was, but it needed to go. Since the paintwork is still original after 40 years I decided that taking care of it the old fashioned way was probably best. Which meant: no power-tools, no too abraisive products and a very careful approach which started with claying the whole car. This is the bonnet done: And this is the finish post-claying on the roof: It certainly shifted most of the muck. Then it was time to inspect what needed to be done next. This is the typical cloudy state a red single-stage painted car presents itsself in after 40 years: I'm a huge fan of Swisswax and luckily had some choice of different brews. I went over the whole car using their Cleaner Fluid Strong which is a very gentle cutting compound. My humble try of a 50/50-shot, the left side of the bootlid is done (three times) while the right side is untouched: I hope the two reflections give you some sort of perspective. After that I had to go over the car once more with Cleaner Fluid Regular which is a polish that prepares the paintwork for waxing. After that I had the car looking something like this: Much better. Then it was time to wax the entire car, polish the chrome as well as the glass and call it a night. Well, for the second time actually. Up until this point I've invested over 30 hours into the paintwork, so I think I've now earned myself a cuppa. If and IF I can get someone with working arms to get the kettle on. I've now put a soft cover of the car (you live and learn!) and will probably wax it again next time I'm in the shed just to give the paintwork that little extra bit of protection. The next update will will contain a few snaps of the finished article. The car will be used for a good friend's wedding soon and I can't wait for chauffeuring them to church!
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"Racing drivers never carry cash"
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Matty
Part of things
Posts: 316
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May 11, 2013 21:07:02 GMT
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Absolutely stunning car - you must be very priud! Great work on the engine swap too, and that mercedes meet looked awesome!
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May 11, 2013 22:21:48 GMT
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Yikes - I'm usually knackered after 1,5h of polishing... You must look like the Hulk right now ;D But was well worth the effort!
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slacky
Part of things
Posts: 479
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May 12, 2013 10:07:52 GMT
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Great work Cracking merc
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Audi 90q - Cab - UrS6 - 80 Sport
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rr69h
Part of things
Posts: 313
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May 13, 2013 19:52:50 GMT
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Thank you all! I still haven't seen the car in daylight and can't wait for doing the last little touches until it's gleaming clean again. Yikes - I'm usually knackered after 1,5h of polishing... You must look like the Hulk right now ;D But was well worth the effort! I wish! Well, except that getting new shirts every time I loose it can get a tad tiresome I guess. I freely admit that after I'd found someone to get the kettle on for me I had a hard time holding my cup...
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"Racing drivers never carry cash"
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rr69h
Part of things
Posts: 313
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Jul 24, 2013 19:09:17 GMT
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As I'm writing this post I'm reflecting on the little ups and downs each of us has to live through while owning a classic car. Often moments of joy are being chased by immediate moments of devastation as if life wants to tell us that every moment is worth remembering for reasons which can only be understood in hindsight. Today's antics start off a few weeks back when I was preparing the car for its TÃœV-inspection. One blown bulb was all I could find wrong with it so I dropped the car off at Herr trusted mechanic's workshop where I had booked it in for the test. It passed with flying colours which made me very happy indeed. So I grabbed my Dad who lives near the workshop to pick it up in the early evening. Since I've never seen what this car looks like when being driven I was more than willing to have him take the wheel: I must say: that view left me with a very cosy feeling inside. At peace with the world I spent the rest of the evening happily polishing the brightwork to get the last of the contaminants off the car. Then it was time to take it home. I'm right in the middle of moving to another city so a lovely 40 mile drive through the countryside lay ahead. En route I noticed something was up though. As the brake pedal developed a slightly longer travel I pulled over to discover this: The nearside rear caliper had seized. Of course I had no tools with me. I was wearing a suit so I couldn't do anything but wait for the sticky brake to cool down a bit. THEN the cigarette lighter broke. curse word. I turned around and took the car back to Herr trusted mechanic. This happend alot: Since said move to a new town is currently eating up all free time I have I decided to have him have a stab at a few other things as well: - exchange the (safe, but suspicious looking) aftermarket track rod for a genuine part I had lying around for years - readjust steering box - full wheel alignment - replace the rubber hose between the clutch cylinders - and of course: recondition everything that's needed at the rear brakes And by God did that man deliver. The car now feels like no W115 Mercedes I've driven so far. With basically new(ish) brakes all round, a super-light clutch pedal and the tracking done I got the impression that for the first time I was experiencing what Mercedes wanted a brand new W115 to feel like back in 1973. I was and still am blown away! Time for a test drive then. I'm glad to report that this time everything went to plan. I picked up my best mate whom I haven't spoken to in months (no time!) and set off to see a bit of countryside. We went on for a bit. You join us in Belgium: Moments like these make it all worthwhile. So with mojo restored I tackled one little detail last weekend which has been bugging me for years. I this picture you can see the upper seat cover has partly come lose: Luckily it only needed clipping back in. So out it all came... ...got a bit of a clean along with the rest of the interior... (This is the driver's seat which actually was the only area which needed actual cleaning) ...and back in it went. Another detail crossed off the list. And now we're awaiting the next weekend on which we'll have a rather special mission to accomplish...
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"Racing drivers never carry cash"
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naki
Part of things
Posts: 89
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Jul 27, 2013 17:08:15 GMT
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nice looking classic. and even nicer to see some excellent photos for a change, rather than the usual grainy grey soft camera curse word snaps! keep up the excellent work
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90 Range Rover Vogue SE 3.9 V8 LPG, Lifted & modified for Off Road 93 XJ40 3.2s- awaiting 4.0 Manual conversion 91 XJ40 3.2 Sport Pack MANUAL (project) 93 XJ40 4.0 Sovereign- Daily Driver 91 XJ40 4.0 Manual 92 XJ40 4.0 XJR Manual 93 XJ81 6.0 Daimler Double Six
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rr69h
Part of things
Posts: 313
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nice looking classic. and even nicer to see some excellent photos for a change, rather than the usual grainy grey soft camera curse word snaps! keep up the excellent work Well thank you! Much appreciated. Now that things are settling down it's time I told you about the mission that needed to be accomplished. One of my best mates was about to get married and before they could even consider to make a vehicle-related choice they may later regret I offered the Mercedes with me as a chauffeur. So on the big day I put on a suit and added a few decorations to the car. Have a teaser-pic: I'm still waiting for what the wedding's photograph has made from it all, I'll keep you updated. I'm sure some of you had similar experiences being asked to "bring the pretty old car" and be the designated driver for friends' weddings. This one was my 7th and it was one of the nicer ones. Very cheerful, genuine joy and absolutely no stress at all. Ah, happy days. Then at the beginning of October we were on a mission in southern Germany. A mate asked me if I could help getting his fintail up to scratch in the paint department. I've mentioned his droolworthy 190dc on here from time to time and it really is a stunner: But so is the scenery: Every time I'm down there I simply can't believe the beauty of the scenery. People are warm and friendy down there and that Bavarian hog roast is to die for! The next stop on my list was meeting with a certain Mr. TurboDieselWeasel of this very parish when things went a bit tits up. I quickly checked the engine's valve clearances while I was down there. I've managed to get a pneumatic line wedged under the valve cover and only noticed that as I was driving down the road. When the oil pressure suddenly dropped I immediately pulled over to find five litres of engine oil had shot all over the engine bay! I rang up the fire department who had a look at the roads, too. Luckily I was given the green light and no horrendous charges had to be paid. Dodged a bullet there! The lesson is: never EVER work on a car in the dark - regardless of how simple the task might be. The next morning I corrected my mistakes by adding oil. It is quite scary to add two litres of that stuff and still see nothing on the dipstick! The engine had coped ok and no damage was done. After all the lowest indicated oil pressure was just over 1bar. A pressure washer got most of the oil off and I've taken a day to clean up the bay. It's now back to what it looked like just after the engine swap: Sadly all of this made me miss the opportunity to pay a visit to the Weasel. Well, another time mate! On our way back I even managed to do something I've never done before: And no, that's not a mph-speedo. But even so: the car is fine, I've had a great time and even managed to pick up a set of new wheels. More about that later on. For now the car is covered up (you live and learn) and waiting for spring.
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"Racing drivers never carry cash"
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Only just found this thread, made for a great read! I'm really liking what you've done to this car, the engine swap, the cool road trips and all the little details really do make for an interesting car/ownership As mentioned above, great photos as well, great at showing off the endless class and style this old Merc' has!
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,192
Club RR Member Number: 170
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It is great to see a story like this with how one copes with living with a classic. It is a stunning Merc you have there though mind you .
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rr69h
Part of things
Posts: 313
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Only just found this thread, made for a great read! I'm really liking what you've done to this car, the engine swap, the cool road trips and all the little details really do make for an interesting car/ownership As mentioned above, great photos as well, great at showing off the endless class and style this old Merc' has! Thanks! Much the same goes for your DB7 thread which I enjoyed quite a bit! It is great to see a story like this with how one copes with living with a classic. It is a stunning Merc you have there though mind you . Haha, thanks! Actually I saw a white 924 passing me this morning as I was heading to work. A great and very timeless choice, too! I couldn't believe how modern these things still look.
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"Racing drivers never carry cash"
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Nov 30, 2014 13:43:13 GMT
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Hi there. I have been through your threads on all of your cars many times and I have to admit that they are all fantastic. I have a real soft spot for the 300SE and have tried to get one three times over the years with no success which is a story in its own right. However, your W115 looks absolutely amazing. Unfortunately they are now very rare in Northern Ireland and any that do turn up for sale tend to be either completely rotten, our damp climate, or very expensive. Anyhow keep up the good work and I know I'm being a bit cheeky but any updates on the W115, Unimog or the Spitfire.
Cheers Peter.
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