Restoration project questions

[gwitter]

Hi,

I have a 70,000 MI 68 280 SL automatic air conditioned that I have one for 39 years.

The car has been babied and pampered but I think could become stellar with a professional Restoration.

It has original paint in very good condition and is never seen snow and rarely rain and has no rust.

There are things like heater controls, radio not working, weather strip aged.

Chrome is in very good condition.

I'm looking for a sensitive shop that could restore this car to show quality in the US at a cost that would not be crazy.

Well I can and do drive the car often, I am concerned that an accident would significantly and irreparably damage this car which has the bones to be perfect and of which I am the steward.

Any suggestions, ideas, observations or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Gwitter

[Vander]

Just so I understand you correctly....your car has been babied and pampered, it has original paint in very good condition, it has never seen snow and has no rust, and the chrome is in very good condition.

But you want to restore it?

[badali]

With original paint and no rust I would only repair the radio and heater controls then continue to drive it as is.  You will not gain more enjoyment from the car with a restoration.  You will be out tens of thousands of dollars and most likely have buyers remorse in the end.  Not to mention the time it will be out of your garage being restored...

[Mike Hughes]

You are the long-time steward of something that many in our hobby seek. Fix what needs fixing, replace perishable rubber items as needed.  It's only original once and you can't enjoy it when it is in bits, nor can you enjoy it when it is too nice to drive.

[getsmart]

There may be other items to do to make it feel tight and newish again, for eg.

1. Suspension components including rubbers, if these have not been replaced that would be a fantastic start and in your case try to use original Mercedes parts if you can afford to.
2. Window, door, boot rubbers ,etc...
3. And repair your heater controls

In fact its not really a restoration you need but just a sympathetic renew of perishable items. I'm not in the US though so I can't recommend someone there but hopefully someone from the US can give you some names who will sympathetically update the items that need it.

R/Joe

[john.mancini]

Glen, any photos?

[gwitter]

Thank you all. Good advice.

Glen

[gwitter]

pictures

[Mike Hughes]

Lovely!  Black interior, soft top and hard top?  Which beige is it?

[rwmastel]

Glen,

I don't know what your goals are when asking about restoration.
- Do you want to sell it and get top dollar?
- Do you want to show it at high-end car shows and win awards?
- Do you want to set someone up with reliable classic car as part of an inheritance?
- Do you want the enjoyment and piece of mind of driving an old car that is reliable for long trips (out of state)?
- Do you just feel "it needs it" for some reason?

Without that kind of info, we can't really give you best advice.

That being said, I agree with the above statement that they are only original once.  To know it is the actual paint that was put on at the factory, and the trim has not been re-chromed, and so forth, that would be very special to me.  I know others feel the same.  I'm not sure of your goals, but if it were my car I'd want to just fix the problems and keep using it for joy rides around the neighborhood or surrounding states.

[MikeSimon]

You are on the right track and some others have eluded to that already. You should "maintain and service" the car, i.e.: R&R the parts/items that are no longer working/deteriorated. Being careful about it will not take away from originality. Certain things need to be done after a while. I replaced the weatherstrips on my original owner 1990 Corvette ZR1. Nobody will criticize you for that. Nobody still has the original oil in an engine or original air in the tires.

[Lorsar]

Nobody still has the original oil in an engine or original air in the tires.

Or the original tires for that matter. (Although some of us still have the original spare tire)

[gwitter]

Dark Brown Interior. Don't know Tan color name. I have a dark brown Hardtop.  Dark Brown soft top.

[Mike Hughes]

The beige might be Light Beige (181) or Grey Beige (716); the dark brown on a '68 will likely be Tobacco Brown (423).  You can confirm by looking at the paint codes stamped on second line of the metal plate in the engine compartment where the hood safety catch engages. Each paint code will be followed by a paint supplier letter "G" or "H."

[john.mancini]

Glen, cars like yours should not be restored, but as others have said, maintained. I agree with those who have said, replace worn items as needed. I see the LT1 in the background. I had a completely original, unrestored 70 LT1 convertible back in the 90's. It had 15K original miles and was used as the Bloomington Gold 25 year Corvette poster. Great car. Another that I should have kept!