Joes 1964 230sl Restoration

[getsmart]

Hi all,

Check this link for progress on my restoration project...added more updates 14th October 2012

http://getsmartpagoda.tumblr.com/

I'll provide regular updates here and there to those interested...

Current activities and things on the agenda
-Re-building the suspension, body mount points are bent, currently deciding whether to replace or repair....
-Painting the fuel tank....
-Restoring the steering horn, painting the steering wheel....
-Restoring the taillights, have received the new lenses, chrome surrounds require re-chroming-good test for selected re-chromer
-Sourcing new fuel and brake lines and associated brackets....

Cheers all, Joe (in Melbourne)

PS. Added a few photos here to get you in the mood

[Larry & Norma]

Nice, keep the pics coming

[Garry]

Joe,

That body looks to be in very good shape.  Would love to come and see it one day.

Garry

[fblanchard]

Hi joe

Can't give you any advice for restoration as my pagoda didn't need so much work and my knowledge is limited.
But for your sore shoulder as an orthopaedic surgeon in Noumea (neighbour) I advice you to make stretching of shoulder muscles 5 minutes every hour during work and after work.
Regards
Frederic

[Flyair]

Hi Joe,
looks like you went down to basics on that one, bur still there is not much rust visible on the photos. Interesting mix of red and blue colors as if somebody did a superficial repainting. Did you make up a plan what the car should look like after restoration? Have you ben able to track down the original specs?
all the best
Stan

[getsmart]

Hahaha, thanks Frederic....maybe I can hire myself a personal masseuse too !!
Stan, not sure where you see the blue but originally its red and now its in primer/undercoat. All rust was removed by the previous owner (a panel beater). I've only found a very few minor rust spots in the floor but it has had some welding repairs to the floor. The passenger side floor is acutally a little dented so I'm contemplating whether I wil straighten it or not. The body is very straight. At the moment I'm thinking black exterior and red interior but I also like Ivory exterior....I hope to see a few more in real to help me with my decision. I need 2 new outer sills as the originals are rusted out. The underside has already had a full Wurth underbody paint and treatment. I'm not thinking that I'll go for full concourse exactly as original but hope to make it like new.

Cheers, Joe 

[Flyair]

Joe,
it sound like a good plan. One thing I am quite sure about is that once you get to the final point, you will be overflown with too many masseuses

[ricrose]

Hi Joe

Like Garry - I would love to have a look at your Pagoda  . I have an 'Ivory' with black interior 1965 (actually Papyrus with Caviar) and you are welcome to have a look at it in the flesh, so to speak, if it helps you to make up your mind re the colour. The car I have is only a couple (literally a couple) away from Garry's, so both would be good points of reference for you.

Just PM (personal message) me if you like.

Richard

[Jkalplus1]

Hi Joe,

I look at your pictures and I can remember my Dad restoring the 64 230SL I now own.  He spent years putting it in the condition it is in now, and I remember seeing him wearing tar-stained clothing when he was stripping the whole thing to bare metal like you.  He would get clothes at Value Village, wear them for a day of stripping, then throw them right in the trash bin they were so dirty!  Months of work like that.  I also remember when it came back from the Body shop in its new fresh coat of papyrus white, straight as an arrow, and he was rewarded by the fun part of putting Humpty together again, all the chrome bits and pieces, the drivetrain...it was a long time from bare metal to winning trophies!

[getsmart]

I'm glad that my pics trigger happy memories for you and what a magnificent gift to pass onto a son. I have 2 boys of my own and I plan to do the same. Rather motivating post too so I appreciate that ! I'm certainly treading the path of your father and many others here too. Can't get over the friendliness and cooperative spririt of this forum. Love getting on here and trawling through the posts....sometimes to the detriment of further progress on my own !!! hehe....

Hi Joe,

I look at your pictures and I can remember my Dad restoring the 64 230SL I now own.  He spent years putting it in the condition it is in now, and I remember seeing him wearing tar-stained clothing when he was stripping the whole thing to bare metal like you.  He would get clothes at Value Village, wear them for a day of stripping, then throw them right in the trash bin they were so dirty!  Months of work like that.  I also remember when it came back from the Body shop in its new fresh coat of papyrus white, straight as an arrow, and he was rewarded by the fun part of putting Humpty together again, all the chrome bits and pieces, the drivetrain...it was a long time from bare metal to winning trophies!