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Restoring a 6.9 What is the best option.

Started by Andreas, 24 March 2006, 10:20 PM

Andreas

I have a choice of 4 6.9's

All are in need of attention. Is it better to go for a car with a better interior or mechanically better or better body? I have never restored a car. However I am aware that is best to buy the best car possible. But each one of these cars is in some state of serious in disrepair in one of these areas.

One or two have  I beleive have not been started for 3 years.

Many thanks for your valued answers.

Andreas
78 450 SEL Parting out
78 450 SEL Saving for parts
79 450 SEL 6.9  #5332
77 450 SEL 6.9 Euro # 1696
77 450 SEL 6.9 Euro #1577
78 450 SEL 6.9  # 4172
76 280 S     Manual Parting
80 280 SE  Possible Parts Car
74 350 SLC  Thinking converting to race

alabbasi

#1
In my oppinion, I would go for the 6.9 in need of body work before the one in need of Mechanic work. Simple reason behind that is that the mechanical parts specific to a 6.9 cost a hell of a lot more then your average car and need a specialist to work on them. Sheet metal is cheap and plentiful and any decent body guy can fix it.

If you have a choice of both, you may want to buy both and make one good one out of them.

Where are you located?

I did a 6.9 restoration last year, you can see what your letting yourself in for at the following site:
http://alabbasi.net/450SEL.htm
With best regards

Al
Dallas, TX USA.

Andreas

I live In Australia, (Adelaide-South Australia)

I have been thinking about buying two.

Thanks for your help.

Andreas
78 450 SEL Parting out
78 450 SEL Saving for parts
79 450 SEL 6.9  #5332
77 450 SEL 6.9 Euro # 1696
77 450 SEL 6.9 Euro #1577
78 450 SEL 6.9  # 4172
76 280 S     Manual Parting
80 280 SE  Possible Parts Car
74 350 SLC  Thinking converting to race

alabbasi

Good luck, you may want to cross post this to http://www.m-100.cc this is an M-100 specific site and we have some very knowledgable people in Australia who are active on that forum and very willing to give advice.

With best regards

Al
Dallas, TX USA.

Andreas

Been looking at your photos. WOW lots of work. These cars here in Adelaide are in much better condition. What was left in the car when you brought it in for body work. Was the engine still in the car and was the suspension still holding the car up?

Andreas
78 450 SEL Parting out
78 450 SEL Saving for parts
79 450 SEL 6.9  #5332
77 450 SEL 6.9 Euro # 1696
77 450 SEL 6.9 Euro #1577
78 450 SEL 6.9  # 4172
76 280 S     Manual Parting
80 280 SE  Possible Parts Car
74 350 SLC  Thinking converting to race

alabbasi

Quote from: Andreas on 24 March 2006, 11:15 PM
Been looking at your photos. WOW lots of work. These cars here in Adelaide are in much better condition. What was left in the car when you brought it in for body work. Was the engine still in the car and was the suspension still holding the car up?

Andreas

The engine and suspension did not come out during the restoration.
With best regards

Al
Dallas, TX USA.

Andreas

Is that because it is to expensive to take out those parts when doing the resoration?
78 450 SEL Parting out
78 450 SEL Saving for parts
79 450 SEL 6.9  #5332
77 450 SEL 6.9 Euro # 1696
77 450 SEL 6.9 Euro #1577
78 450 SEL 6.9  # 4172
76 280 S     Manual Parting
80 280 SE  Possible Parts Car
74 350 SLC  Thinking converting to race

alabbasi

Quote from: Andreas on 26 March 2006, 03:25 PM
Is that because it is to expensive to take out those parts when doing the resoration?

The engine and suspension on the car were good and as it wasnt broken , I saw no reason to remove it. If I was to pull the engine and suspension off, the restoration would have cost considerably more then it did and I did not see the value.

Another note is that in many cases, body guys can take things off but putting them back is another story all together. I am still trying to sort out the electrics on my 73 280SEL after it came from the body shop.
With best regards

Al
Dallas, TX USA.

Andreas

Hi Alabbasi

Your 280SEL did they come with 4.5l engins in America or was it changed over at a lter date.
78 450 SEL Parting out
78 450 SEL Saving for parts
79 450 SEL 6.9  #5332
77 450 SEL 6.9 Euro # 1696
77 450 SEL 6.9 Euro #1577
78 450 SEL 6.9  # 4172
76 280 S     Manual Parting
80 280 SE  Possible Parts Car
74 350 SLC  Thinking converting to race

Des

Quote from: Andreas on 09 April 2006, 04:55 AM
Hi Alabbasi

Your 280SEL did they come with 4.5l engins in America or was it changed over at a lter date.


They are a W108 car, not a W116