Author Topic: Customized 280 SL  (Read 10665 times)

George Davis

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Customized 280 SL
« on: July 20, 2004, 09:37:00 »
Follow the link to see the pics.  I was able to upload these on Dorian's site, but am unable to do so here, perhaps because they are .bmp's?
http://pagoda113.com/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=3846000021&f=8906071521&m=993108123
Admin comment: bmp format images can be uploaded here. Here is the above image on our server in jpg format.  
Download Attachment: 280SL_Chevy.jpg
12.62 KB
George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

Bob G

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Re: Customized 280 SL
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2004, 19:28:47 »
I only saw the back of the car , but it looks like some one put somecreative thought into this car.
Bob Geco

hauser

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Re: Customized 280 SL
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2004, 23:44:44 »
HELP!!  Someone call the Pagoda Police!!
Looks like a lot of work went into this car. Why the owner turned it into this is beyond me. Seems like his efforts could have produced something presentable.
1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

George Davis

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Re: Customized 280 SL
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2004, 09:49:12 »
This car was well done and had some nice details; note the MB stars in the taillights, for example.  I'd like to have talked with the owner, but no one was around.  Such customizing is generally not my cup of tea, either, but this car was certainly eye-catching.
George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual

rwmastel

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Re: Customized 280 SL
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2004, 21:09:08 »
How does one get into the trunk???
Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1966 230SL

hauser

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Re: Customized 280 SL
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2004, 21:31:27 »
I don't see any door handles on this car. :evil:  And where's the fuel cap?[:0]
1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.
« Last Edit: July 21, 2004, 21:33:34 by hauser »

Cees Klumper

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Re: Customized 280 SL
« Reply #6 on: July 29, 2004, 15:48:05 »
In my personal view this car is ugly - but not in a distasteful way!
Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

n/a

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Re: Customized 280 SL
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2004, 21:26:20 »
Frankly, I don't think this was such a great idea to do to this car. I think the car looks better left stock. I suppose everyone has their right to do what they want with their own car...but that doesn't guarantee their taste will be good. This car would have been better left alone or restored to stock. Oh well.

Albert-230SL

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Re: Customized 280 SL
« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2004, 00:31:19 »
If I read some day in the news, that Paul Bracq (the designer of our beloved Pagoda) has killed the owner of this customized W113... I could understand it...  ;)
Albert de la Torre Chavalera
Barcelona (Catalunya/Spain)
Feb.'64 230 SL Euro 113042-10-002432

114015

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Re: Customized 280 SL
« Reply #9 on: September 03, 2004, 14:13:41 »
The sad story of cars (pagodas) like this one is that mostly good (restorable) cars have been used for such a conversion. Thus another pagoda of the only 48,912 which is basically lost for the upcoming generations.
If that guy at least took a rotten rustbucket ...
I guess he didn't.
I am crying ... :evil:
Achim
(114015 & 113042)
Achim
(Magdeburg, Germany)
Achim
(Germany)

hauser

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Re: Customized 280 SL
« Reply #10 on: September 03, 2004, 16:09:36 »
Looks like it would be quite a bit of work to bring this car back to its full glory. :(
1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

joelj

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Re: Customized 280 SL
« Reply #11 on: February 16, 2005, 08:50:10 »
They should have used another carf and not a w113. What a waste!!!!

n/a

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Re: Customized 280 SL
« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2005, 21:02:26 »
George
I just stumbled on to this thread.  I know it is a year old but it is new to me.  
Of all the customized/personalized 113 cars I have seen (including the Pininfarina and the shooting brake) this is the best.  The one exception is the out of proportion fender flares on the rear quarters.  I would not do this to the car but I can appreciate the thought and workmanship that went into it.  Most people who alter a car in an attempt to improve it fail miserably.  This one looks as if it could have been designed this way.  I even think the 350 chevy engine is a good idea.  If the engine installation is as slick as the rest of the car, it should be a real pleasure to drive, and I do hope he/she drives it. It would be a shame to expend all the effort on the car and then not show it off and enjoy it.  Most people who see the car will not know not care that is is not original anyway.  They will just think it is a neat old car.  
I know many people think that altering a car is sinful.  I think an even worse sin is to spend an ungodly amount of time and money refurbishing a car and then park it in the corner of a garage, warehouse, barn, carport or even outside.  Then for whatever reason, the car is not driven.  Since all cars deteriate from neglect just as quickly as from use, it eventually becomes unservicable-and no one has had the pleasure of driving it.  All the effort and money is wasted.  Then is is sold, inherited or passed on the next person who gets to start the process all over again. This happens to all types of cars, not just Mercedes 113 cars.  If you think I am wrong, just look at the posts in this and other forums and see how many problems are the result of neglect and inactivity.  
You thoughts on either the customized car or on the idea of driving versus not driving a car?  
Happy Motoring
Iverson

George Davis

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Re: Customized 280 SL
« Reply #13 on: July 26, 2005, 09:14:12 »
Hello Iverson,
I have mixed feelings about this car, and about customizing in general.  I'm not a big fan of hot-rod style customizing because I don't really like that look, but there are a lot of "customs" that I do like.  A Vignale-bodied Ferrari California Spider is a custom of sorts, too; it's also drop-dead gorgeous.  But whether I like the end result or not, I do appreciate good workmanship, and this car is very well done.  I saw it again a couple of weeks ago at a cruise in, and it has been featured in the local MBCA newsletter.
I agree completely about driving the cars.  Even fully-restored multi-zillion dollar show cars should get on the road occassionally, and I think it's neat that some concours d'elegance now feature driving tours for the entrants a day or two before the show.  Even Pebble Beach does that now.  I'm a big fan of vintage racing partly for the same reason.  Seeing a static display is nice, seeing Parnelli Jones and Stirling Moss bashing fenders a few years ago in a pair of perfectly restored Trans-Am Boss 302 Mustangs was another thing altogether.  Or Phil Hill executing perfect drifts lap after lap in a mid-30's Alfa Romeo.  Absolutely fabulous!  They've got to be driven.
George Davis
'69 280 SL Euro manual