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  • Grant V
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My old 600 transformed
« on: 01 October 2008, 03:38 PM »

I sold my 600 three months ago to Raymond Leisher, who has turned it into the most exquisite example in a very short space of time. It's tremendously satisfying to see what he has done to the car and it's great that the car went to someone who was prepared to throw the relevant money required to turn it into what it is:

Before:











After:











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"You've bought another bloody car?!? We should have you committed!" he shrieked, storming out of the room
  • Martin 280s
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #1 on: 01 October 2008, 10:05 PM »

That's lovely Grant. I'm sure it warms your heart to see the car in this condition. Sad it must have been to see her go but after this much TLC and $$$$$ the result is stunning.
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Well loved and cherished...
Lady Geneviève - 1976 - W116 280S- Magnetitblau (DB931) / Parchment MB-Tex (DB405)
Lady Augusta - 1992 - W124 300E- Dunkelblau (DB904) / Grey leather (DB268)
  • oscar
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #2 on: 02 October 2008, 12:59 AM »

3 months!!  That's a phenomenal transformation. Truly amazing.
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1973 350SE, my first & fave
1976 280S 4spd manual "POVO the track car"
1975 280S, medium red
1974 280se "canary yellow" now in pieces
1977 280se milan brown wrecking
  • LiaMerc
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #3 on: 02 October 2008, 09:30 AM »

that is fantastic, so much detail. Great to see
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1978 450 SEL 6.9
  • nathan
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #4 on: 02 October 2008, 10:58 AM »

holy shit!
and i feel bad dropping 10 bucks on a new beim beladen sticker for the boot!
its also interesting grant that in the service place pictured are so many old benzes...you wouldnt trust an australian MB dealer with your old benz!
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  • kolin
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #5 on: 02 October 2008, 03:16 PM »

grant
thats look great.almost shat myself when i saw the petrol green 116 in the background, thought it was mine for a second, then remembered my one is at home.
thats great , need to know who that work, methinks i will have to go that route and throw some money at this car of mine

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  • Grant V
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #6 on: 02 October 2008, 04:32 PM »

Nathan, this pic of the 600 was taken at our recent MB Club concours, which was held at a local MB dealership, hence all the decent cars in the background. All the new plastic stuff was parked outside!

http://forum.w116.org/auto-torque/mercedes-benz-of-south-africa-concourse/
« Last Edit: 02 October 2008, 04:35 PM by Grant V »
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  • Patrick Bateman
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #7 on: 04 October 2008, 11:08 AM »

That looks like a hundred thousand dollar resto atleast, My hat goes off to the man.

Astonishing.  Shocked
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  • John Hubertz
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #8 on: 04 October 2008, 02:33 PM »

One would presume however those three months were using a calendar that had gold bars with each date engraved in them that you would hand to the team and parts vendors instead of tearing off and throwing away.

Does anyone have an estimate of cost in dollars and materials?  I'm getting cranky enough I'm just going to ask people from now on.
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John Hubertz
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro."
(Hunter S. Thompson) 

1977 450SEL (Max Headroom)
  • GreaseMonkey
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #9 on: 04 October 2008, 09:23 PM »

grant
thats look great.almost shat myself when i saw the petrol green 116 in the background, thought it was mine for a second, then remembered my one is at home.
thats great , need to know who that work, methinks i will have to go that route and throw some money at this car of mine


Isn't that W116 colour Citrus Green? You have one the same?
Any chance of posting a photo?
Chris
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1975 Crayford 280SE - Also; 1976 450SLC, 1980 280E & 1984 280E
  • Grant V
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #10 on: 05 October 2008, 07:49 AM »

One would presume however those three months were using a calendar that had gold bars with each date engraved in them that you would hand to the team and parts vendors instead of tearing off and throwing away.

Does anyone have an estimate of cost in dollars and materials?  I'm getting cranky enough I'm just going to ask people from now on.

That pretty much sums it up, John, and Raymond is in the fortunate postion to be able to spread those gold bars about. Someone once said to me: "A restoration is only as good as the amount of money you have to spend"

I sold the car to him with most of the new rubber seals for doors, windows etc, and that little consignment cost me ZAR26 000 two years ago. Raymond told me that the re-veneering of all the wood cost ZAR25 000, the re-upholstery of the seats, door panels and roof lining was ZAR15 000 and the paint job was ZAR50 000. I have no idea what all the re-chroming cost, but you can probably bank on another ZAR20-25 000. He did the re-assembly of the car himself, so probably saved some bucks there. However, he has a full time mechanic in his services, so that should be another ZAR8-10 000 per month.

As a matter of interest, look what other toys else he's playing with in the process of restoring:






« Last Edit: 05 October 2008, 07:51 AM by Grant V »
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  • s class
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #11 on: 05 October 2008, 09:11 AM »

That W116 is caledonian green - which is a solid colour - and the pannelling to the rear of the front wheels in the wheel arches should be black not body coloured. 
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116024 : 280SE Euro : reliable and faithful
116036 : 6.9 Euro     : project
116036 : 6.9 Euro     : AMG
107044 : 450SL Euro : FOR SALE : ZAR 69000
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  • oscar
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #12 on: 05 October 2008, 01:28 PM »

As a matter of interest, look what other toys else he's playing with in the process of restoring:

That's awsome. 
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1973 350SE, my first & fave
1976 280S 4spd manual "POVO the track car"
1975 280S, medium red
1974 280se "canary yellow" now in pieces
1977 280se milan brown wrecking
  • kolin
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #13 on: 06 October 2008, 11:59 AM »

grant
thats look great.almost shat myself when i saw the petrol green 116 in the background, thought it was mine for a second, then remembered my one is at home.
thats great , need to know who that work, methinks i will have to go that route and throw some money at this car of mine


Isn't that W116 colour Citrus Green? You have one the same?
Any chance of posting a photo?
Chris
i think they called it petrol green in good ol' RSA.
absolutely must be one of the worst colours ever thought up for a car.
i know some of you guys will love it,but i dont.
i want to paint it royal blue....
all pics taken with a cell phone,as i dont yet own a digicam(so please scroll through my 8 pictures)
Link
« Last Edit: 06 October 2008, 12:28 PM by kolin »
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  • pompy
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Re: My old 600 transformed
« Reply #14 on: 06 October 2008, 05:50 PM »

Nice kolin!

Finaly I get to see your green love! We had an olive green 74 280S man when I was a wittle boy.
What happened to the paint? Did somebody spray thinners (finners) on there?

Pompy-doodle
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