1969 Mercedes w108 280 se

[gazmania2001]

[/img]http://s793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gazmania2001/?action=view¤t=DSCN2366.jpg

How do i upload a picture of my car ?

I am relatively new to this site . This is my 1969 w108 Mercedes 280 se . I live in the Bury area and I'm interested in finding people who can weld ( paid obviously but i am eager to help and learn to ease burden ), people with spares or advice .
This is a long term project , which i am going to keep . Planning on doing all the welding sills / boot floor / passenger floor . Then i am going to run it as a rat for a bit until i can afford the next stage of restoration.
I think i have bitten off more than i can chew but thats what classic metal does to you.
I have given up driving new stuff and have two volvo 240 estates as my daily drivers. This car does have the potential and i have been let down by so called friends who were going to help me with its resto ( usual sold my welding gear , mess with stuff anymore ) . I have been out of the car scene for a while but i am back into it especially this retro stuff its spans all makes and models and as a scene is probably the most genuine for years.

[gazmania2001]

[/img]http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gazmania2001/DSCN2366.jpg

Has this worked ?

[Matty]

Put the [ img ] tags either side of the photo link - and this will happen:



The bottom link in your photobucket has the IMG tags already on, so just copy and paste that

[Matty]

P.S. - Your Mercedes looks lovely! how bad are the sills and boot floor? bottoms of the doors, inner wings? I'd love to own one of these, one day!

My advice re: welding, Buy a welder, and spend a few hours on this website www.mig-welding.co.uk/ and then just practice

[gazmania2001]

Thanks for that goes

IMG]http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy217/gazmania2001/DSCN2364.jpg[/IMG]

[gazmania2001]

Reply to Matty sills could be plated but i want to put real metal back in . Inner wings need a few plates doors have a bit of filler in bottoms missed out on ebay 4 weeks ago on some mint doors which i was going to store until it was completely restored.
I always wanted a mb 600 since my parents gave me the Dinky version but i think this is the next big thing. I decided to get the straight 6 because it is cheaper to maintain than the v8 160 bhp isnt to be sniffed at . They are truly overlooked vehicles

[Matty]

The straight 6 should be great, my W123 is the 280 straight six, and goes very well!

I'd love a 600 too - but i think i'd need a large lottery win for that!!

You missed a [ off the front of the first - click 'modify post' and put it in, and the photo should work

Look forward to progress!!

[gazmania2001]

Sorry about this i shall try again



Hey presto we have pictures i understand now sorry for the messing.

[Matty]

No problem!

Looks like a great project - do you have the bumpers and side trim with the car too?

[smile]

Absolutley lovely car, best of luck restoring it.
I have a W123 coupe, I love it.... but I'd love a W108 even more, coupe or saloon!
Maybe one day....if I ever learn some skillz.

[BenzBoy]

Great car for a project - welcome to RR!
As Matty said, just get a MIG welder, do a bit of reading and some practice and get stuck in! Just chop out a bit at a time and weld in the new steel.
I'd be a bit concerned about those front wings - they look quite unhealthy around the headlight bowls. I'm not sure if aftermarket ones are available. Mercedes could possibly get them, but be prepared for an eye-watering price. That was certainly the case with my W115.
Looking at the Hadrian catalogue (where I get all my panels from) there isn't any body panels available for the W108... I'd be prepared for some fabrication!

There are plenty of knowledgeable people on RR, so if you do get stuck people will gladly advise! Best of luck with the project, it's a worthwhile one for sure!

[gazmania2001]

I have the bumpers in good condition , safe in a dry place as with all the trim . The previous owner did a load of remedial work behind the headlamp bowls its just the bottom of the wings nr the sill where it needs a little bit of metal.
I have obtained a mig welder to practice on , but I'm told by a few people that cutting sills out is a job for somebody who can weld. Saying that i was speaking to a bloke with an Fiat x19 ( imagine what hes up against ) and he had taught himself within a couple of weeks. Its just killing me not being able to have a spin in it . I shall keep posting the pics now i know how .

[mirafioriman]

Welcome to the site. Amongst my project I have this:



You can see lots more photos of my restoration at:

www.dropshots.com/300selman

If you need any help or advice let me know.

I have a pair of outer sills for your car I think made by Hadrian Panels.

[gazmania2001]

Thata amazing what you have done to the SEL . This is whats troubling me it seems like an unclimbable mountain at the moment do you use the SEL regulary ?
How much would you want for the sills ? Do you have any other parts or know of a reasonable Mercedes breaker. Looks like you have a vast array of different memorable motors there.

[leemercw108]

Hey, I've just bought a w108 today!

[mirafioriman]

The pic I posted is actually before I started the restoration! As you can see it looked quite sound from a distance! To be fair the rot is/was fairly localised but the rotten areas are well rotten!