Anyone recognise this purple Merc lowrider?

[popuptoaster]

I'm watching this at the mo, just wondered if any of you lowrider or merc experts had seen it before?

cgi.ebay.co.uk/mercedes115-stacklight-lowrider-custom-hotrod-project_W0QQitemZ260302162601QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260302162601&_trkparms=39%3A1

[stealthstylz]

It was built by Tony Betts who used to write for Street Machine at least 15 years ago. Cool car imo.

Matt

[BenzBoy]

That was on ebay a couple of years ago (I think it's the same one... can't be that many lilac lowrider W115's around! ;D)

[UtterPiffle]

The car was called 'Impala Hunter'. Cool ideas went into it - suicide doors, Skoda style bonnet hinges etc. The purple paint job was pretty bad - runs down the sides etc, but otheriwse seemed nicely put together.

It was on eBay a while ago with a dead engine IIRC.

Oh, just read ad - still got dead engine

Throw in a later model 6-pot, and it'll be a great car. Hmm, in fact, I have a spare Benz 4.2v8 and box...

If you do win it and need help with the hydro's, I'm up a bit in Suffolk, so give me a shout!

[ThePollitt]

I'm 99.9% seure it lived in oldham back in the late 90's, after all, there can't be many that look like that.

One thing though, I do love that the three spokes have stayed with the car through all these years, it really is a proper timewarp car!

[WillCarter]

I actually remember this, couldn't tell you anything about it but I remember it. Really is a car of its time if you get me. Would have to restored to that spec imo. kinda like the old Beetle mag featured cars they have at Bug Jam etc. where they still look the same as they did 20-odd years ago.

[bryn]

It was built by Jon Betts roughly ten to twelve years ago, and some of it was covered in Street Machine staff cars section.

Jon's a member on here (although not very active), and now edits Minor Monthly, so maybe you could mail him through their website? I assume they have one.

Chris is quite right about the paint, but I seem to remember Jon was on a tight budget, as we all are sometimes... I'd love to see it on some different rims and maybe a deep candy hue

[BenzBoy]

^ Are they longer coupe doors with welded up rears, or is it just the funny angle of the pic?

I seem to remember it having some odd tail light arrangement which didn't sit all that comfortably with me...

Totally loving the three-spokes. As said, definitely a time-warp car. Even the cracked head has remained from the 1990's! ;D

Another engine would be cheap and easy to source. I'd have a dmn good poke around the usual rot-points before making any serious bid though. Sitting for all that time isn't gonna do it any favours.

[popuptoaster]

I'm working on the theory that if its a rot box it'll be able to donate the suspension to the coupe, and if its not its a cool project to restore.

[WillCarter]

Sounds like a good way of looking at it.

[bryn]

Oct 21, 2008 14:03:10 GMT popuptoaster said:

I'm working on the theory that if its a rot box it'll be able to donate the suspension to the coupe, and if its not its a cool project to restore.

Sounds like a plan, I seem to remember the rear side windows are polycarb... And that Jon sliced and lengthened the doors, as Rich the editor had recently done his PB Cresta the same way. Where is Jon when you need him?

The rear lights were three seperate units on either side weren't they? Round? I might be imagining they were '59 Caddy copies...

[bryn]

Ahh... Jon's not editor of Minor Monthly anymore. Hmm, maybe he'll pass by?

[UtterPiffle]

Oct 21, 2008 13:53:31 GMT BenzBoy said:

I seem to remember it having some odd tail light arrangement which didn't sit all that comfortably with me...

It had '63 or '64 Impala tail lights, hence the car's name...

Oct 21, 2008 14:03:10 GMT popuptoaster said:

I'm working on the theory that if its a rot box it'll be able to donate the suspension to the coupe, and if its not its a cool project to restore.

Winners all round then!

[popuptoaster]

funnily enough i have just remebered i have Jon in my facebook friends and i do recall talking to him at a rolling road day about an old merc lowrider he owned. My memory is soooo fragged!

[CR500Dom]

Yep Jons on FB ;D

And on TS

[bryn]

Oct 21, 2008 14:18:11 GMT UtterPiffle said:

It had '63 or '64 Impala tail lights, hence the car's name...

Hey, sharp as a marble me...

[bigperm]

the seller is chewy over on lowriderforums,if you need any help advice or have any questions

[markbognor]

Oct 21, 2008 13:53:31 GMT BenzBoy said:

^ Are they longer coupe doors with welded up rears, or is it just the funny angle of the pic?

I seem to remember it having some odd tail light arrangement which didn't sit all that comfortably with me...

Totally loving the three-spokes. As said, definitely a time-warp car. Even the cracked head has remained from the 1990's! ;D

Another engine would be cheap and easy to source. I'd have a dmn good poke around the usual rot-points before making any serious bid though. Sitting for all that time isn't gonna do it any favours.

Looks to have had the B post moved back and the saloon doors lengthened, seems unlikely that coupe doors would have been used because they are frameless. If pretty sure that dez couped one side of his 115 in a simmilar fashion.
I might have to go up in the loft and dig out my old SM's from the period, I'm sure i can remember a motorvation sketch of a 114/115 modded in the same way.

Another vote from me for restoring it to its former glory!

[popuptoaster]

I sent him a message and Jon wants it back but probably cant manage it due to space constraints, looks like if i buy it i'm not gonna be able to take it to bits without him pointing his "sad face" at me, oh well, always room for another merc project i guess!

[Thrasher]

Ha ! That's not far from where I live !! Passed it the other day in the works van !