While our just purchased 1966 250SE Cabriolet has but 30k original miles on the clock, it has been a moderate project to re-commission for enthusiastic tour and event use. A Christmas day road test demonstrated virtually 'as-new' road behavior from this mind boggling original 111 cabriolet.
End of year progress
Two in and Two out
Try as we might, we won’t be able to finish our cool 250SE 5-spd coupe in time for Martin Swig’s New Year’s Day Anti-Football Run. There are other possibilities, however, as two other interesting cars have joined our never ending group of works in progress.
Two of our recent projects are indeed complete, one of which is now safely in New Jersey with its elated new owner. The two new acquisitions couldn’t be farther apart with regard to style, value and refinement. We bring you up to date on our projects below.
“The icon gold 5.0 is a trip to drive. The custom exhaust and the tight steering make it a fun car to take on the open road.”
1954 300b
Our imposing ’54 300b has been ready to go for a few weeks lacking only its massive chromed and painted wheel covers. Superior Chrome in San Jose stripped, repaired and re-chromed all four covers after which I carefully taped off the center star before handing them to the painter. Now installed with blackwall tires, these beautiful covers complete the 3 liter sedan’s regal look.
Driveability is vastly improved after comprehensive carburetor work and extensive vacuum leak repair. Our trusted shop, Burlingame Motors next door to us, handled all the technical work. All fluids were checked and valves adjusted. She now starts well hot and cold and pulls cleanly through all ranges although with 136 hp SAE underfoot acceleration is leisurely. Largely untouched, this 300 retains it factory build quality and wafts down the road without a creak or moan.
Our 300b now glows after heavy color sanding/polishing and installation of restored wheel covers, a $1,500 investment. Blackwall tires complete the period look and take us back to 1954.
250SE Coupe
Extensive mission creep accurately describes our 111 coupe project. We’re after a fully sorted tour and event car so chasing all the loose ends is essential. After changing all clutch hydraulics in an unsuccessful attempt to cure a clutch pedal slow to return off the floor we were forced to pull the gearbox for a complete clutch inspection. The clutch was indeed dead and has been renewed and re-installed.
The dash is beginning to go together which enables us to see the gorgeous Madera Concepts restored wood in place. Frankly, the wood is just superb and will be a high point of the completed car. Of course, as we assemble the wood each switch and lever needs to function correctly and are repaired as required. The clock received a quartz movement from Palo Alto Speedometer who also cleaned/serviced all the gauges. 111 coupe/cabriolet dashes are masterpieces of design and we’re looking forward to completing the interior.
Massive work remains and we have a new carpet set, dyna mat sections, recently chromed bumpers, factory replacement trunk perimeter panels and plenty of misc. hardware sitting on the bench awaiting installation. The back glass came out to allow restoration of the package panel in new Cognac leather and windshield seal also replaced. So, the checks will continue to be written to see this elegant coupe through to completion.
Dash reassembly for the 250SE coupe is a tedious affair. We've reconditioned each item that goes back in place - gauges, clock, temp levers, radio etc. Restored dash will glow. New seat leather, new carpets and carefully dyed original dash pads/door panels are ready for installation.
450SLC 5.0
Done! We didn’t have much time to enjoy our cool Euro 5.0 liter SLC once completed due to an anxious buyer waiting for delivery. Our plan to simply paint the unique specially fabricated bumper void covers with the correct Neutral Grey Metallic evolved to painting the entire lower sections of the coachwork to acheive a consistent color match. Once completed, the car looked superb with a tough edge to match the rumble of our specially fabricated exhaust.
New owner Michael C. seemed pleased after his first drive. “The icon gold 5.0 is a trip to drive. The custom exhaust and the tight steering make it a fun car to take on the open road. Without the chrome bumpers, I am seriously thinking of putting in some period correct recaro seats and following in the footsteps of that company you talk about from Belgium that is producing slc rally cars again.”
Our Euro SLC is now in the east coast. Sans bumpers and with the unique covers installed, the Icon Gold SLC takes on a tougher stance. Cosmetics recovered remarkably well after an aggressive color sand and polish. We'll miss this muscular 5.0 liter SLC.
Had the car remained in our inventory, the next step would have been short, progressive rate springs and a set of spot lights to complete the look. We're already after another 5.0 liter, a late series 1980 500SLC.
New Arrivals
Elegance and character
Our new projects, a tatty but exceptionally original Fintail and breathtaking 30k mile 250SE Cabriolet, occupy very different positions in the collectible Mercedes hierarchy. Each has a special charm although at very different price points. Acquiring the 250SE stressed our finances to the limit but writing the check for the fin was a cinch.
1966 200D
This homely but particularly solid black plate California car had been for sale for quite some time. Not worth a specific trip across the SF bay to inspect, I inspected it while in the area looking at what turned out to be a disaster 6.3. I found an absolutely rust and damage free fin with saveable original beige interior and $7,500 of recent mechanical work: engine overhaul, fresh brakes, sealed fuel tank, new tires, new clutch and plenty of other misc. reconditioning.
Owned by a dedicated and very hands-on MB enthusiast and running/driving quite well, this fin was an ideal candidate for some further technical sorting but NO cosmetic improvements to disturb the wonderful patina resulting from a 20 year slumber in a Los Gatos, CA barn . We’ll polish what remains of the largely original paint but there will be no paintwork whatsoever.
Our technical regimen has included full steam cleaning, a fresh brake booster, new tie rod ends/alignment. Starting the car cold requires about 10 minutes(!) of coaxing so we’ll replace the fuel injection pre-pump. Once hot this 60hp diesel fires immediately and is remarkably responsive on the road.
To allow a comprehensive detailing we’ve removed the bumpers/rocker moldings and insignias. The wheel caps will be stripped and repainted and we’ll visit our secret fintail graveyard to source a radio, intact rear seat back, lr tail light lens, manuals, horn pad and misc other odds and ends.
This cool fin will be our mount for January 1st’s Anti-Football tour.
Recently rescued from a barn and now running superbly after a $7,500 mechanical rebuild, our unmolested 200D is a great 111 sedan find. Thankfully, no one altered this car from its original specification. Dead paint will be left alone.
Moderately weathered but completely original interior will be massaged as best possible. Panel fit and closure is as good as the day it was originally sold. However, dry door seals prompt massive door rattles while the diesel idles. We love the overall patina.
1966 250SE Cabriolet
The adage ‘they’re only original once’ aptly describes our spectacular untouched 30k mile mid series 111 Cabriolet. This museum quality 250SE required a total of 10 years from my initial inspection to purchase. I had inspected the car in 2001 while still with its original owner in San Francisco. There was no deal at that time and after passing through two subsequent owners the beautifully preserved Cabriolet landed in San Bernardino in 2008, taken as collateral for an urgent loan.
Fortunately, each owner respected the car’s extraordinary condition and low mileage thus preserving one of the finest 111 Cabriolets on the planet. Our reconditioning includes the following:
- New 75 series tires
- Major Service, new MBZ battery, clutch slave cyl/hose
- New trailing arm bushings, engine mounts, trans mount, shocks
- New brake hoses, Brake flush, fuel lines, rear muffler
It’s back on the road and provides the rare experience of driving an essentially new 250SE Cabriolet. We’re particularly happy it’s fitted with a manual gearbox and no AC, a most sporting combination. Inspecting all the nooks and crannies reveals virtually new finishes and hardware and little evidence of use.
How original is this car? The interior is 100% original and retains the appearance and scent of a new car. Handbooks are flawless. The tool roll has never been out of the plastic wrap. Every square inch of the trunk appears new, from the unused spare to the various hardware and decals. With only a careful undercarriage steam and detail, an alignment and few minor items remaining, this magnificent Cabriolet will be ready just after the New Year.
Burlingame Motors' brain trust Rene Wiegand and Al Salas attend to one of the most original Cabriolets in the country.
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What will 2012 deliver to the MercedesHeritage premises? We’re not entirely sure but our searches continue. If you know of an interesting old or youngtimer, please email us or call 650-343-7980. We pay handsomely for leads that lead to purchases. For now, we’ll push to finish our current cars and report back next month.
Roy Spencer, editor MercedesHeritage.com
Photography from MercedesHeritage.com
Read the previous Projects article.
Read about the 111 series Coupe/Cabriolet.
Read about the SLC range.
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3 Responses to “Projects: Two new classics”
I’m anxious to hear more about the 250SE Coupe.
THANX ! I love reading about ‘ survivor ‘ vehicles .
I love driving my old Mercedes Sports Coupe everywhere , every day .
-Nate
LOVE LOVE LOVE the 200D. That is so wonderful
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