Wooden interior restoration offer - your input please

[floyd111]

After searching fruitlessly for almost a year for mint condition wooden interior parts for my 2 W116's, I decided to bite the bullet and expand our company.
The other wood-post on this page did it for me!

Tools, veneer, glues, lacquers and machinery are on their way to the classic car division of our MC/Automotive company here in Taiwan.
I am customer 1 and 2.
Goal: a 5 star replacement/refurbishment of all wooden parts, in Zebrano.
We will attempt to create instrument panel covers in wood as well, and also interior door handles and a trim that will cover the top of the door panels.

This lead me to think there may be more people out there with these frustrations about poor condition interior wood.
I am thinking about stocking up on donor car interior parts, and having a bunch of them redone.
There are no plans to make the big bucks on this expansion, but the work involved is pretty intensive.
It can't be that cheap.

So, I would like to hear from readers about the parts that they would want restored/replaced, and what would be reasonable prices for such replacements.(ex shipping)
Naturally, there would be a warranty system. I am the Taiwan Ohlins Distributor, so my warranties are solid.

I would like  an idea whether my stocking/production plans are smart..or just silly.
Not looking for sure orders, just looking for as much of your input as possible.

Thanks already!

Stan
www.ohlins.tw

[oversize]

Hi Stan,

If you're truly thinking about this venture I'd be looking at some of the best period interiors for inspiration....  I'm thinking of the MB 600 and the Jaguar 420G.  The W116 was definitely lacking in this area and would benefit greatly from improvements of this nature.  Just remember that you can have too much of a good thing!

[oversize]

And some others for ideas:

[oversize]

And more:

[oversize]

And just for something different:

[oversize]

So what's missing on these W116s?

[oversize]

The back is definitely lacking:

[motec6.9]

How about this one

[floyd111]

Hi guys,

As much as I appreciate photos from lovely wood interiors, I was really aiming for your ideas regarding us setting up a wood restoration shop, stocking restored interior parts.
Is there any demand?
What parts are most sought after?
What would be the value of such a partially/fully restored kit? (excluding steering wheel and shift knob, readily available from Eris-Design.de)

Stan

[robertd]

Hi Stan

I think it is a good idea, and yes there will be willing buyers, especially from members of this forum, I just don, t  know if there would be enough demand to justify a commercial venture, but if you don, t try you will never know.

Having owned many 116, s  123, s and 108, s  I can tell you the bits that deteriorate the most and need replacing or refinishing are,
The timber centre console trim on 116, s and 123, s and 107, s
The dashboard timber trim on 116, s
The front dashboard timber trim and door trim in 108, s

That would be a good starting point,

Cheers
Rob

[oversize]

The fact that we responded indicates interest!  However it wasn't exactly a flood of replies.....  Really all of the timber deteriorates over time and the ones exposed to the sun tend to be the first to suffer.

As far as cost goes you need to assess how much it costs to manufacture and then add a sufficient profit margin, otherwise the venture will fail.  I'd suggest a mix of remanufactured items and new ones that were never offered by MB (that's why I added pictures as suggestions).  I've heard of lucky people buying good used sets for $500-$1000 AUS.  But it depends on the timber and it's rarity.  For someone wanting a perfect set that'll last another 25-40 years I'd imagine a collector would be prepared to pay maybe double that.  For things that were never available like W116 door veneers you can set your own price depending on demand.

Like any business do you market research before making a massive capital investment.

[floyd111]

Thanks for those first replies!

Luckily, the investment financially is not massive. The time involved, including the learning curve is more of an issue. A 5 star restoration of the timber parts involves 7 layers of lacquer, each needing to harden for 2-3 weeks.
It results in better timber than Benz offered 40 years ago, and should last as long.

I was thinking along the lines of 1000usd for a full set of dash panels, climate panel, and mid console, excluding shipping, and after receiving the original non-restored panels from the client
Ashtray would be separate, as would the door arm rests (if I manage to do those as planned)
Door panel tops would be last on this list, since it involves creating completely new pieces.

I have ordered small stocks of different grain burl and zebrano veneer, as to be able to match all pieces, and also to be able to match new panels with aftermarket steering wheels.

Naturally, this pricing doesn't reflect the real cost, but this new venture seems a nice retirement option after we sell our distribution company. Great hobby that pays the bills, and does not pressure daily life.
We're still 2 years away from that point, so now would be a good time to start.

BTW.. there are 2 similar restoration companies I know of, one in Germany, one in the USA.
They also take 6 months to do a set of wood, but charge 5000usd for a W111's wooden interior.
Me thinks that 1000+ for a W116 is not too shabby then..

[hagar24]

Thanks for those first replies!

Luckily, the investment financially is not massive. The time involved, including the learning curve is more of an issue. A 5 star restoration of the timber parts involves 7 layers of lacquer, each needing to harden for 2-3 weeks.
It results in better timber than Benz offered 40 years ago, and should last as long.

I was thinking along the lines of 1000usd for a full set of dash panels, climate panel, and mid console, excluding shipping, and after receiving the original non-restored panels from the client
Ashtray would be separate, as would the door arm rests (if I manage to do those as planned)
Door panel tops would be last on this list, since it involves creating completely new pieces.

I agree, let me know when you start the runs I will start saving now.

I have ordered small stocks of different grain burl and zebrano veneer, as to be able to match all pieces, and also to be able to match new panels with aftermarket steering wheels.

Naturally, this pricing doesn't reflect the real cost, but this new venture seems a nice retirement option after we sell our distribution company. Great hobby that pays the bills, and does not pressure daily life.
We're still 2 years away from that point, so now would be a good time to start.

BTW.. there are 2 similar restoration companies I know of, one in Germany, one in the USA.
They also take 6 months to do a set of wood, but charge 5000usd for a W111's wooden interior.
Me thinks that 1000+ for a W116 is not too shabby then..