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My Cars Or.. An extended Intro

Started by Tony66_au, 28 June 2012, 07:19 AM

Big_Richard

#30
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Tony66_au

So much more than a house, I bought a place in 82 for $36k in suburban Melbourne so twice the price.

Then again Australia's protectionist policies wielded some pretty hefty tax and duty charges back then so id say on a world scale our Mercedes RRP's were amongst the highest in the world.

For those of you old enough to remember the Pre GST (VAT) Tax scale Luxury goods were taxed at 33% and there were a number of import tariffs and luxury goods tariff's which were taxed in weird order.

From memory, Base price @ x dollars plus duty plus tariff = Price, then add 33% Tax.

Nasty protectionist policies that punished the wealthy (Not really but that was the idea) and created local industry that was well protected against imports which I feel made them lazy and complacent based on Aussie car spec and equipment levels from the 70's to the early 90's being so far behind the rest of the world.

Globally we were VERY far behind even in the 60's which explains why Chrysler's did so well especially in country areas as they were basically American cars re jigged with features Ford and Holden didn't or couldn't supply locally.

Even Engine power (Important out bush) was far higher in Valiants which also came with things like heaters as standard long before the other 2 and it really wasnt until the very late 60's that GM-H and Ford caught up.

Pet subject of mine BTW lol

Tony66_au

Checked on the 280 today and she is grubbier than i remember lol



My 450SEL however is now on Club Registration and got a thorough wash this afternoon in prep for detailing.

Im trying to figure out how to mount the front license plate as the 2 slots are a bit of a mystery to me but the good news is that there are no water leaks and the car is in far better condition body wise so she flew through scrutineering with the only fail being the battery clamp i forgot to re mount lol

So tomorrow she is off to be filled with 80 lt of 95 octane Caltex (Texaco) fuel and a nice run to blow out any remaining cobwebs.

76BNZ

Hi mate
You need 2 rubber mounts that slide in the slots to suit the plate.  I had to make backing plates out of some thin steel to mount my personalised plates.  I didn't want to ruin them with extra holes.  I don't know if you can pick up the mounts very easily.

David

oversize

Onya Dave!!!!  I was just about to post exactly the same thing!!!  LOL!  So it's now a race to post!!!   ;D
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

Tony66_au

Ahhhhh Cheers David!

I reckon I could knock up something using some grommets maybe?

I had to drill holes in the rear plate 5 cm in from the ends to make it fit and didnt fancy doing the same to the front plate.

So a few grommets with a washer and nut at the back might do the trick nicely!

Cheers,
Tony

oversize

Not sure if you can get the mounts new Tony.  Otherwise try a wrecker.  It'd look weird if you screwed the plates straight into the bumper and a good way to start the dreaded tin worm...
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

oversize

Oh and that white one's gunna need some serious cleaning!!!  But at least she's outta the rain...
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

TJ 450

I'm sure that will wash of, then it's a matter of dealing with the stains. 8)

Exciting stuff!

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

Tony66_au

I have some rubber grommets here that I use to plug firewall holes in various sizes that have a slot in the middle running around the outside diameter, Normally id pop on on a hole and then stick the plastic plug in the center to expand it and hold it in place but I think a washer with a nut and screw and the plate loosely mounted might do the trick and then some pressure on the nut and a tighten and she should be apples.

Depends on the access to thr back of the bumper I guess but im sure I can figure something out as im loathe to use self drilling tek screws or stainless rivets.

TJ 450

Someone used Tek screws on my 280, not good.

Anyhow, if you find some decent sized mudguard washers to slot in there, then you could use grommets and the like to pack it out.

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

ptashek

1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

Tony66_au

Yep those Rims are 15" and they are a non genuine wheel.

The 3 point star was added to them with a single bolt fitting to the center covers and im not sure if this was standard with these wheels or if they were added by the previous owner.

ptashek

Quote from: Tony66_au on 18 September 2012, 06:01 PM
Yep those Rims are 15" and they are a non genuine wheel.

The 3 point star was added to them with a single bolt fitting to the center covers and im not sure if this was standard with these wheels or if they were added by the previous owner.

Any chance of getting the manufacturer of these? They look really decent, and, being 15s, would slash my rubber costs considerably going forward.
1993 "Pearl Blue" W124 280TE
1988 "Arctic White" W124 200T
1979 "Icon Gold" W116 450SE

gf

wow tony! thats a pretty cool collection you got there! So you prefer the looks of the 116 over the 126 I take it? Say did you ever drive one of those four eyed ford ltds in your limo work? All the auxillaries on those 450 engines look so much more accessible than on my 280se. Its pretty amazing what a good polish does to a filthy old benz!!