Author Topic: 280sl restoration  (Read 53173 times)

Joel

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280sl restoration
« on: July 27, 2016, 19:44:23 »
hello,
My name is Joel and I live in Belgium, I own a 1 man restoration shop near Brussels.

Since February I'm working on a 280SL from a customer. He has taken it completely apart exept  the doors, bonnet and tailgate so that I could check all the gaps.

the general condition of the vehicle: (we have a saying)  nice from far but far from nice

Joel

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Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2016, 19:47:35 »
the start

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2016, 19:49:21 »
in the shop

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2016, 19:51:16 »
when they have removed the engine they made a little damage

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2016, 19:58:35 »
first day I had to take the last parts off.

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2016, 20:02:34 »
More first day pictures

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #6 on: July 27, 2016, 20:06:37 »
speaker holes

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #7 on: July 27, 2016, 20:08:49 »
that's it for today! next time more (ugly) pictures

Tyler S

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Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #8 on: July 27, 2016, 20:26:49 »
Looks like a fun project. It's too bad he didn't leave it assembled with at least the suspension and drivetrain. You will find that the gaps will change in relation to weight and where the body is supported.
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)

Joel

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Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #9 on: July 28, 2016, 19:40:20 »
Thanks Tyler, I know what you want to say but I have taken my precautions.
more pictures from the start

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #10 on: July 28, 2016, 19:44:12 »
I'm certainly not the first to work on this car

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #11 on: July 28, 2016, 19:55:59 »
then I went to work with a screwdriver, chisel and hammer

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #12 on: July 28, 2016, 20:04:46 »
not good

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #13 on: July 28, 2016, 20:07:47 »
I hate fiberglass

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #14 on: July 28, 2016, 20:12:21 »
right

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #15 on: July 28, 2016, 20:15:37 »
someone had to be proud of his work

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #16 on: July 28, 2016, 20:19:49 »
unbelieveable

Joel

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Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #17 on: July 28, 2016, 20:23:12 »
I had a suspicion that something was wrong with the right rear wing

Benz Dr.

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  • Benz Dr.
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #18 on: July 28, 2016, 20:25:44 »
Which is why I tell people that I can't see through paint.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #19 on: July 28, 2016, 20:27:40 »
someone apparently could not weld but bonde was the fast and cheap option

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #20 on: July 28, 2016, 20:39:50 »
So after a good talk to the customer the work continue

I made a frame to support the body and braced the door openings

and start stripping paint using the 3M Scotch-Brite XT-RD Strip Discs

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #21 on: July 28, 2016, 20:44:20 »
After removing the floors and the right wing I took it to the soft blaster

Joel

  • Guest
Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #22 on: July 28, 2016, 20:50:33 »
2days later after blasting ready for transport back to the shop.

more pictures tomorrow

Cees Klumper

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Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #23 on: July 28, 2016, 21:31:20 »
Looks like a major job! Thanks for the updates and good luck on all the work ahead.
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

Pinder

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Re: 280sl restoration
« Reply #24 on: July 29, 2016, 13:04:18 »
Looks like your doing an excellent job.
1970 280 SL Light Ivory DB 670. 4 Speed manual shift no AC Limited Slip Diff.