Author Topic: Speaking of restomods.....  (Read 1895 times)

stickandrudderman

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Speaking of restomods.....
« on: March 16, 2023, 13:49:19 »
I had a very interesting car come in to me today.

Jonny B

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Re: Speaking of restomods.....
« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2023, 15:21:49 »
Holy Macaroni, interesting indeed!

Is it in for servicing or are you doing some finishing work??
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

MikeSimon

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Re: Speaking of restomods.....
« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2023, 17:02:20 »
On my screen, the image is too small for me to make out what it is, other than a V-8. Is it a Sunbeam?
1970/71 280SL Automatic
Sandy Beige
Parchment Leather
Power Steering
Automatic
Hardtop
Heated Tinted Rear Window
German specs
3rd owner

stickandrudderman

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Re: Speaking of restomods.....
« Reply #3 on: March 16, 2023, 18:00:00 »
Is it in for servicing or are you doing some finishing work??
The project was started, apparently, 16 years ago! Was never finished and has been through three companies who all went bust ???
It's a 190SL with pagoda rear axle with discs. The front axle is a hybrid of pagoda 280 wishbones, stub axle and brakes and original sub frame. A mounting for a pagoda brake servo has been nicely fabricated.
The engine is a 116.960 out of a 380 SL R107 complete with auto transmission.
The fabrication work is impressive but clearly the installer(s?) had no clue about KA injection  ;D
The owner tells me he once drove it about 2 miles and didn't like it. I remarked that having about 30 degrees of toe-in might have accounted for that.....
These days I'm rarely excited about any one car but this one has awakened the racer in me!
« Last Edit: March 16, 2023, 18:04:45 by stickandrudderman »

franjo_66

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Re: Speaking of restomods.....
« Reply #4 on: March 16, 2023, 22:46:22 »
Thanks for sharing!
I personally love this. Would be amazing once sorted and finished.

There is a 230SL here down under that was retrofitted with the 3.5l M116. They fitted a late model 722.6 5 speed auto. Beautifully done and drives beautifully
Franjo

1965 230SL Black/Auto/RHD
2005 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
1983 BMW 735i
1986 560 SEC
1991 500SL
1982 Holden Statesman DeVille

rwmastel

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Re: Speaking of restomods.....
« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2023, 18:58:54 »
Yes, too bad they didn't use the earlier 3.5 liter. More Power!!!
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
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Jack the Knife

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Re: Speaking of restomods.....
« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2023, 19:44:07 »
These were always deserving of better engines.

I remember a few years ago seeing a 190SL with an entire Lexus drivetrain swapped into it. https://bringatrailer.com/2018/07/01/lexus-v8-5-speed-swap-1962-mercedes-benz-190sl/ I guess until COVID, no one bothered to take these seriously... and they still shouldn't, in my opinion. It's clear whoever buys a stock 190SL just lets it sit around. Talk about wallowing and weak! All show, and no go!

The Rennsport ones also always struck me as pretty cool. A few weeks ago I talked to the owner of this car: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SCbVm0k02o Pretty interesting ride. I recall in a book published in 1962 sitting around here in my house somewhere that MB intended to put an injected M180 motor in one of these. I think a few owners have put the M127 in there. I mean, the 190SL is a reasonably light car, and had so much sporting potential... alas...
1964 230SL
2015 G550 """Professional"""

mdsalemi

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Re: Speaking of restomods.....
« Reply #7 on: March 18, 2023, 14:48:30 »
...project started 16 years ago...never finished...three companies who all went bust ???
These days I'm rarely excited about any one car but this one has awakened the racer in me!

Don't get too excited Colin. There were three others before you... ;)

Some things were just not meant to be.
Michael Salemi
Davidson, North Carolina (Charlotte Area) USA
1969 280SL (USA-Spec)
Signal Red 568G w/Black Leather (Restored)
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