My new classic

[LiaMerc]

Hey all, as some of you may be aware i have been searching for a good 450 SEL but seem to have stumbled along some very rusty and neglected ol merc's (shame to see)
I nearly gave up hope as i was trying to find something quite cheap (cheapskate) and everything just seemed to far gone or needed a good bank manager to tell you everything is going to be fine?? hmmm
Apart from going over east to find one i thought i would dig in and around perth and blow the dust off some sheds and back yards but perth seems very dry untill i looked under my nose and back yard (relitively speaking)
Now most of you Perth crew will know of this vehicle or even drived past it, i know i have plenty of times so after i did a mail out and interigated the locals i found the owner and bought the goldie 1978 450 SEL 6.9 parked on the council verge across from lake monger? (you all know the one)
Now as i am a newbie i'm sure you will be hearing alot from me picking your brains with tech and maintence questions?? Just warning you in advance!!
Apart from a few issues ie: unregistered, worn tyres, worn brake pads, wheel alignment, the odd oil leak, paint peel and suspension issues like bouncy suspension and maybe a leak as has been on its belly for quite some time it starts first time, drives like new, the a/c works, full service history and log books (originally from the UK), and complete with everything down to the original first aid kit.....

I have added a link: http://cid-b610faaf5864db78.spaces.live.com/photos/cns with some pics so enjoy otherwise feel free to pop round for a beer and look over the ol girl.

Cheers

Liam Valiukenas

[TJ 450]

That's awesome !

Yet another 6.9 rescued. It will also have the high compression engine, which is another bonus and it's running too!

I'm sure we're all looking forward to helping you get this machine back on the road.

Tim

[LiaMerc]

Thanks Tim,

Look forward to catching up with you all.

Laim

[Big_Richard]

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[John Hubertz]

The upside of your strict inspection/safety/modification/registration requirements is obviously a flurry of phenomenally rare RHD 6.9s being marketed due to mandatory scrap or sell rules....  or am I mistaken that they will tax or confiscate unregistered cars in AU?

Here, you can literally purchase two car halves  in a junkyard, weld them together and title them as "affidavit of ownership" without anyone even LOOKING at the car...

...also, anyone outside city limits can have up to 5 abandoned vehicles as long as they are further then 50 feet from the road - permanently. 

...thus, thousands of wonderful cars rust to death as owners dream of getting rich "someday" when their Grandpa's 6.9 becomes worth 1,000,000 US - and the hood ornament is thus for sale, for $250.

I know a guy that actually BOUGHT a 116 hood ornament for $100 from a junkyard, not knowing that they are available for $19 at the dealer new.

The right quarter window on my Mark VIII is $1240 from the dealership - as it has a complex curve and can't be economically reproduced, while the same window on a t-bird (3/8" difference in size) sells for $240 at the dealer and $120 reproduction.  Gaaaaack.

I'm glad I'm disabled and can feed on the rotting educational and economic carcass of what was once a glorious and wonderful LAND populated by a NATION of deliberate fools.  Millions of us rot in jail while Australians - transportees blended with adventurers, create a stable, peaceful and sane society without wasting anything but time, as patience does solve even nightmares like forced transport and creates hope.

How long until we purchase health care for our population instead of aircraft carriers?

(gentle musings)

Congrats on the 6.9  - being rudely off - topic AND nosy, what did you have to pay and how much will it cost to register?

[nathan]

Congrats Liam,
we are all envious. the black interior on that car was nice!  I did indeed do a window letter drop on the car a while back, even a door knock...pb likes to think of me as a stalker, i prefer
the term overenthusiastic merc fan.
we were all a bit sad to have seen it sitting for a few months in the elements and assumed failed suspension must have been the reason it was sitting there.
anyhow, sounds like we might have found a mission for sunday as im in floreat and only 5 mins from where you bought the car
regards
nathan

[robertd]

Hi Liam,
Welcome to the forum, looks like you have taken a big step into the unknown?
I think you will find this forum ranked with very helpful owners, I have found it invaluable.

The first 116 I bought was, like yours was left neglected out the front of a house in my local town for many months. I finally stopped one day and knocked on the door. "The wrecker is coming tomorrow to collect it." I did a deal on the spot and drove it home.

There are some photos of it on the gallery page 12, I think?  It is almost a twin to yours.
  Gold Euro 6.9 with high comp motor(oil cooler) except mine has tobacco interior and black
  trim around gear leaver and zebrano wood on dash. The speedo is also different to yours?

Anyhow enjoy your new toy, they are a lot of fun.

click for image

Regards Robert


 

[nathan]

RD, whilst looking at the pics of your goldie, i noted that you have installed an electrical passenger side mirror?  does this bolt straight off a 123 or 126??

[robertd]

Hi Nathan,
The remote control passenger mirror was already installed when I bought the car, along with
two centrally mounted cigar lighters and two extra large ash trays mounted on each side of the  under dash panels.
Regards

[Big_Richard]

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[oscar]

Liam, congrats dude

[WGB]

Pleasure to meet you today Liam.

You have the potential for a really great car with a set of spheres, some paint and a tidy up.

The reason your suspension is hard is that most or all of the 5 spheres are flat and need to be replaced. You will need 3 "red dots" for the front and central sphere and 2 "Bluegreen ones" for the rear. It is also the reason the reservoir is empty as the fluid has been pumped in to fill up the now internally deflated spheres.

All the information for working on the Hydraulic Suspension is available in the Handbook available on this site - W116 Handbook just go to a late model 450SEL then suspensions and later parts of it include the hydraulic suspension.

Hydraulic suspension 101 can be found here  - General Jobs with Hydraulic Suspension

Most of the consumables are available here - www.autohausaz.com

We also have access to a lot of 6.9 specific information including engine manuals and tuning data and you only have to ask for info when needed.

Bill

[nathan]

As Bill noted, autohausaz is a great place...if you arent an internet buff though, lintrex (in bentley, lintrex.com.au) also sells things cheaper than the dealer although doesnt have everything...ultimately though, the internet is cheapest.

as Bill said, the locals are always happy to help
regards