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Restoring Blue 6.9

Started by robertd, 13 April 2013, 04:30 AM

robertd

Hi Chaps,
Having reacquired Foss's Blue 6.9 i have now made a start on a full resto including repaint and interior upgrage.
Here are some pics. will document each stage as we go.
Cheers
Rob
Happy to have her back again



Stripped out,


on the way to the panel shop


I am going to replace the front passenger side guard that has some rust starting and the rear passenger door that has previously been repaired poorly. The rest of the car is pretty rust free and original
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

W116-M117

It looks like a very good specimen and you're right to restore it now, leaving the rust - even if a small quantity - implies a huge cost in the future.

Keeping us informed on the progress...

;)

oversize

And I thought she was already in really good nick!  My gosh you've worked quickly to strip off all those parts!!  How did you remove all the trips around the door frames and windows?
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P

Squiggle Dog

I will be watching this restoration. Sadly, even as it currently sets, it's in better condition than any car I've owned. It will be a real gem when completed.
Stop paying for animal cruelty and slaughter. Go vegan! [url="https://challenge22.com/"]https://challenge22.com/[/url]

1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Heated Seats, 350,000+

robertd

This car was in pretty good original condition when I sold it to Foss a few years ago, It did have a damaged rear pass door from a car park touch. the paint was OK but was starting to lift on the boot lid and generally needed a freshen up. Once I started removing the trim I decided that I would go the full Monty and strip it right out.  Its a bigger job than you may think. I did a couple of sunday afternoons and then an all nighter on the last day before it was collected. I did find some rust on the one front guard and of all places behind one of the front headlights?
Removing the trim from around the door frames was very delicate work and would advise caution, or at least have some spares available from  the parts cars.
I was going to have the rear door repaired but decided to replace it for a better finish, having trouble finding a replacement door, as all my spares are from SE"s and are short.
Cheers
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

TJ 450

Rob,

You never cease to amaze me! Welcome back to the world of 6.9 ownership.

It looks like a prime example for a high quality restoration.

Tim
1976 450SEL 6.9 1432
1969 300SEL 6.3 1394
2003 ML500

robertd

Tim,
"Just when I thought I was getting out"  "They pull me back in"
A quote from Al Pucino in the movie Godfather II
Rob
                   
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

oversize

Did you get a letter from Shell or BP?  LOL!
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P

robertd

#8
Some Autumn colours to share



The Soul of the Blue 6.9 sitting on the shed floor

and then some

All the trim and interior to be checked, cleaned,repaired where needed and then reassembled
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

oversize

Are the original number plates still available through VicRoads?
1979 6.9 #5541 (Red Bull)
1978 6.9 #4248 (Skye)
1979 6.9 #3686 (Moby Dick)
1978 6.9 #1776 (Dora)
1977 450SEL #7010 white -P
1975 450SEL #8414 gold -P

robertd

Hi oversize,
I Have them stored from when I purchased this car from 2nd owner about 6 years ago they start with ANU XXX
But I have already registered this car with the rego" KMB 690"
Rob
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

robertd

can anyone recommend a safe way to clean and nourish the leather seats after 30 years of grime, also have we come to consensis on the best way to tackle the dark stains on the interior vinyl.
thanks
Robert
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet

CraigS

[url="http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n77/Aegeanfoods/My%20Cars/"]http://s109.photobucket.com/albums/n77/Aegeanfoods/My%20Cars/[/url]

carl888

Rob,

I don't know if you saw the grey 308 in the factory, but that car had the interior revitalised by the leatherique process.  It's VERY time consuming, but the process was well worth it.

http://www.leatherique.com/


robertd

Hi Team,

Bad news on the resto of the 6.9, I have been stressed out by the going's on at the panel shop.
I thought going to the local business where the owner was also a car enthusiast was the way to go, I was wrong.
I was quoted 2 weeks start to finish. its been there 5 weeks and they only just started to strip the paint off, I went in late last week to find they had forced the front guard off using oxy and crow bars, they damaged the front radiator panel and the under guard panel is bent, they have turned a small rust repair into a major job,  they removed the dash mat that I had tapped on (for protection) and I found it on the floor under another car. The owner had all the excuses blaming everyone from the apprentice, the foreman and the prime minister.  So after referring to another member for advice,  I pulled the plug and had the car collected by the RACV and towed home.

Not Happy
Rob
116   1978 450SEL 6.9 #  4848
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 6225  SOLD
116   1978 450SEL  6.9 # 5128  SOLD
116   1979 450SEL  6.9 # 5884  SOLD
116   1974 450SEL  DJet