1965 230SL Resto-Mod (Corvette Engine, Jag rear end)

[Garry]

Done.

[Dudlow]

I think a bit of a history lesson is in order here. First of all, when this group was formed, there were a number of posts that covered all sorts of different topics - nothing was separated into different headings. As one of the founding members sitting on the steering committee, we looked at how the club would be formed with particular attention to the web site because that was what we had at that time. later on, I sat on the first board of directors and that is when we decided to separate the areas of discussion into the various headers.
At the time, we were already getting a number of posts concerning modified cars or mods you could do to your car. I asked that we not accept these posts based upon our mission statement but in te end I settled for a separate header which I called Research and Development. It really wasn't what I wanted but it was OK.

 This is my 40th year restoring 190SL's. When I started in 1977 people scoffed at these cars and now they're highly prized by collectors and owners. I know how hard it is to restore one of these cars and I'm sorry, but street rodding a 190SL might be one of the dumbest moves you can make. If you get half the value out the other end you'd be lucky. If a person can do that level off fabrication, then they would be certainly capable of restoring it to original condition so the idea that you are somehow '' saving '' these cars is bogus. However, since it's up to the owner I guess they can waste their money any way they want.

My closing point is simple. The moment we start praising these efforts is the moment we loose focus. Yes, there is a company in Germany that uses a 280SL to re-create a modern car. They use only MB parts to do it and the build quality is outstanding. It's not for me but maybe it's for someone. The example of the 190SL is hideous because is a bastardized car.

 I won't go any further here - I don't want to hurt someone.......
 

Point taken, and understood. No offence intended.

For the record I own and enjoy a concourse standard restored 250sl. I love the way it has been restored only using original parts, and is the same today as when it left the factory.

[TheEngineer]

Several years ago I saw a 190SL at a local car show. The owner was Don Harmon. He installed a Lexus V8 together with a suitable gearbox and rear end. Attached is a picture I took at the time. And - for what it is worth - I totally agree with Dan Caron aka Dr. Benz in that it is much preferable to keep these cars original. If one desires to have a custom built automobile there are kit cars available. We have one in the neighborhood, it looks like a smaller version of a 1937 540K.

[Benz Dr.]

Point taken, and understood. No offence intended.

For the record I own and enjoy a concourse standard restored 250sl. I love the way it has been restored only using original parts, and is the same today as when it left the factory.

Sounds like a nice car. Hard to improve on something that's so well made.

[Jimbo1907]

Not a fan of these. I think if you're going to put another engine in a 113 car, it ought to be a Mercedes engine.

I'll plead guilty on putting a Getrag into my 113 car, but after all there are MB models that came with them from the factory, so I don't feel bad about doing it. Only how long it's taken :0

[Bonnyboy]

If someone really wants a resto mod - I ran across a "project in process" that is going to be for sale soon.       Its a genuine 32 Ford 5 window coupe - you  could put a 230sl power plant in it and have a car nobody else has.   

 

[kiheimatt]

Appreciate the input. I will definitely take that under advisement.

[kiheimatt]

OK.. I received the car and started working on it… Here is what I got so far:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1d2SN7HSlLRK2Bt3ODlprpDx9ShpKfJpJQvjNiA_H-K0/edit?usp=sharing

[Garry]

I am not normally one for modifications but the instrumentation looks great and someone has put a lot of work into getting it like that.  Look forward with interest part 2.

Garry

[Shvegel]

Another option for brakes if you have not already decided is the same era V8 sedan vented rotors.  I think you need the backing plates as well but it is pretty much simple bolt in stuff.  Joe Alexander (JA17) is well versed in the swap.