Downtown Griffith this morning and couldn't believe my eyes. We're supposed to be at a meeting at 9am when a different w116 was spotted. A quick u-turn, my wife's camera-phone and a few curses for doing so.... I spotted a charcoal/grey coloured 450sel with Tasmanian number plates.
Was it Des or Andrew that asked "where for art thou Tasmanian w116's?"
They've escaped to the mainland. ;)
Anyone know this one? EP 9561
(http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/6427/tassie450sel1largego9.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Nice detective work Oscar!
I think we can now call Griffith the W116 capital of the world! :P
When are we having the official W116 meeting at the W116 capital?
looks like a standard 450SEL
http://regostatusp.dier.tas.gov.au/pls/motorreg/regstat?reg=EP9561&Terms=Accept
Des, I forgot about Tassie's searchable rego page. That's interesting.
Mforcer, I'll have to do a recount of local w116's.
I got a good look at this 450sel which ended up being parked very close to my work. It looks a bit worn with one body strip missing and seat covers all round masking the interior colour. It sounds alright though and a good wash would really bring it up and perhaps show any more cosmetic imperfections. No hint of smoke as it accelerated away. I have a feeling it may be sticking around for a little while for reasons I wont go into, but since the beat up 6.9 hasn't resurfaced for so long, this one may get included in the recount.
Interesting indeed oscar. :)
hehe, i just looked up my car in the rego thingy. I didnt know about that either.
Quote from: oscar on 18 April 2007, 06:56 PM
Was it Des or Andrew that asked "where for art thou Tasmanian w116's?"
They've escaped to the mainland. ;)
And I "think" Des must have asked that question, cos I don't remember asking it. ;)
EDIT:
I just did a search, but I couldnt find anything about that question except in this thread... ::)
and I looked up my dads car in the rego page, and it lists it as a "450 SLE"! >:(
That quote there is my interpretation of one of you asking something on the lines of - and I'm not qouting directly
for example
where the hell are all the 116's in Tassie
or
how many 116's in tassie
or somehting like that.
So don't go searching too hard. It's just a very, very loose reference to no particular thread. Search for "Tassie" or "Tasmania".
And if nobody posed a similar question, I'll take ownership of pondering the thought in the first place ;)
Nobody says "for where art thou" if that's what disturbs you ;D
BTW, your dad has one hell of a rare 450 by the sounds of it ;D Don't sell!!
Oscar, what is rare about the 450? Is it because it is in Tassie?
Did I say rare? Without reading everything again I mean yes, the Tasmanian registration plate. I'm in New South Wales, 600km west of Sydney (New South Wales), 500km north of Melbourne (Victoria). I often see plenty of Victorian rego plates and a few Queensland plates, but very rare to see a Tasmanian plate. Add to that the fact the Tassie plate was on a new-to-town never spotted before 450sel, well, it was a pretty cool find today.
Actually, 450se/l's aren't rare in Oz but now that I think of it, there are none in town that I've seen in the last few years. Of the 7 w116's I've counted in the past, a 350se has gone so has a 450se and a 6.9. All I can think of lately is a gold 280sel, 2 white 280sels and a white 280se. There's also a dark green close to mint 280 something that I saw during the course of my work. It's shedded in a modern garage, looked fantastic, I've never seen it on the road and due to the owner being a wealthy farmer I wouldn't be surprised if he'd owned it since new. However, The farmer was terminally ill at the time I saw it, no questions were asked, and I haven't approached the family some 2-3yrs since I saw it. The farmer has since passed and I doubt I'll get to know anymore.
Quote from: oscar on 19 April 2007, 02:58 AM
That quote there is my interpretation of one of you asking something on the lines of - and I'm not qouting directly
for example
where the hell are all the 116's in Tassie
or
how many 116's in tassie
or somehting like that.
So don't go searching too hard. It's just a very, very loose reference to no particular thread. Search for "Tassie" or "Tasmania".
And if nobody posed a similar question, I'll take ownership of pondering the thought in the first place ;)
Nobody says "for where art thou" if that's what disturbs you ;D
BTW, your dad has one hell of a rare 450 by the sounds of it ;D Don't sell!!
Ah,ok! :D
well i may have said something similar but i dont remember precisly.
well, in any case if they keep migrating ill just have to start collecting them to keep the tassie w116 count up! :D
Between me and my dad we've got 5 so far so i guess we're collecting all the tassie ones! ;D
There's a sad looking dark metallic blue one down here in the south of the state at the wreckers at W116 280SE, it appears to have been stolen and smashed up, all the glass is smashed out of it, the panels deliberately dented, i.e someone has bashed all the panels.
would have been a nice car in its day, must have been an early one as the speedometer is in just miles.
what a waste
>:(
Quote from: Des on 20 April 2007, 03:37 AM
There's a sad looking dark metallic blue one down here in the south of the state at the wreckers at W116 280SE, it appears to have been stolen and smashed up, all the glass is smashed out of it, the panels deliberately dented, i.e someone has bashed all the panels.
would have been a nice car in its day, must have been an early one as the speedometer is in just miles.
what a waste
>:(
I share your pain Des.
anyone that does an act like that to a w116, i feel like sending them (the person) to the "wreckers" (if you know what i mean). >:( :'(
clearly an act of jealously and spite i suppose.
i'm glad i didnt join the reckless, so called "cool" kids of today...
Well guess what. This little tassie beast is for sale. "$1200 ono" stuck on the window.
Thinking out loud again ;D
Quote from: oscar on 07 June 2007, 04:21 AM
Well guess what. This little tassie beast is for sale. "$1200 ono" stuck on the window.
Thinking out loud again ;D
:P
Oscar!
Which car are you referring to???????
The escapee! The 450sel pictured up top.
Ah, righty then.
Thinking of buying it and taking it's tassie heritage are you, Oscar? :D
Is it in decent condition by the way?
Sounds as if its not uncommon to see a W116 in Australia. I guess this is because they haven't all rusted away like UK examples. Over here I would say that I see more Ferraris than W116s (let alone UK 6.9s - don't think I've ever seen one other than mine). Very rare if not anywhere near as coveted as Ferraris !
I'd love to know how we could find out how many W116's are registered in each country.
I saw three today, said 450sel, white 280se and gold 280se. Having said that, the last two I tend to cross paths almost on a daily basis. But I wouldn't say that this is indicative for many other towns here. I use to travel on major roads in Sydney during peak hour for upto an hour and a half at a time in the mid-late 90's. I don't remember seeing one. Though I would suspect W116's in metro areas come out moreso on weekends and don't make the rush hour daily-driver traffic which is populated by newer cars.
My last trip to Melbourne in March, I only saw one.
Quote from: Andrew280SEL on 07 June 2007, 04:43 AM
Thinking of buying it and taking it's tassie heritage are you, Oscar? :D
Is it in decent condition by the way?
It doesn't blow smoke, but interior needs work, right side exterior is missing door trim and the chrome strip on the rocker panel is bent badly and needs replacing. I haven't had a good look and doubt I will. It's the third time I've seen the car. I walked right past it and checked it out a week or so after posting the first pic. I was attracted to the badge and the colour. Today whilst at work we drove past it and did a u-turn to check out the bit of paper in the window for curiosity's sake. Not for me.
If you can get it for around 1/2 its asking price, you might have a suitable club racing car there Oscar.
Incidently I'm off W116 shopping this long weekend with a chequebook in one hand and good intentions in the other.
I think its time for a new daily driver. Wish me luck.
I.
Yeah, good luck!!! 8)
I wont push you for details, I'll just wait for the pics on Monday. ;)
As for the race car, I've lost direction. One minute I want a 6.9, the next I want a RR, then I want to race, and in the meantime I don't have the $$$ to fund any one of them :'( .
is it worth that Oscar?
the picture you posted doesn't reveal much
I shall take the camera to work tomorrow just in case I cross paths with it again.
It's too hard to value it without not knowing too much about it. But for $1200 perhaps talked down to $1000.... if the mechanicals are good, then absolutely, I think it's well worth the money for a 450sel.
Oscar, can you resist taking in stray dogs?
Yes I can...........I believe I can.
How's this for a weird twist -
If you remember what I do for a living, my first job today was to a house where this car was visiting. Now the job was a hoax and called by some lowlife we tried but couldn't track down at the local technical college. Nonetheless, we ended up eyeing off this 450sel.
The car - cream velour mostly covered by cheap seat covers. Rust bubbles behind the rear number plate. The worst thing though was a decent vertical crease that's caused the right rocker panel to be squashed and included the doors a tiny bit. Although the paint is rather good, I get the impression that if it's had a good life previously, it's living below the povo line now and being neglected. Didn't bother asking to see the engine, I'd seen enough. No more strays for me.
QuoteI wont push you for details, I'll just wait for the pics on Monday.
So anyway to cut a long story short, with contributions to Qantas and the Spirit of Tasmania, I finally bought Des's 6.9, as evidenced in my updated signature, below.
Here's my new prize back in Melbourne:
(http://ianmav.customer.netspace.net.au/auctions/Picture%20or%20Video%20188-b.jpg)
I.
Ahhhhh!!!!
I had no idea Des sold that!!!!!!!!!!!!
Des, wheres the informative post!? We want details on your future!
I apologize if I've missed a post of course....
Oh WOW!!!
Congrats to both ;D ;D
Nice work 13B !!!!! Looks good yeah?
Well he did say he was inspired to suicide...
I almost sent the seller an email advising him that I thought his price was 50% too high - seriously !
I know what it cost me to restore mine, and I had a good base, and an excellent interior, and the purchase price of mine was not too far from the starting bid.
The first 300 is not as collectible as later models, mainly because the engine was lower on power, and the brakes are non-assist drums -not that the vacuum assist brakes were much better.
I am happy to talk to you about the costs involved Des, before you decide. Is the radio console with the car, and the radio ? If not, and you do go down this route, I can help you with both, as well as a number of parts sources. There are some other parts I can see missing, such as the wind deflectors on the front and rear doors. Are they with the car ? They are very difficult to find, and expensive.
Some costs you might be interested to know. Panel & paint - assuming nothing too major - $10 - 12,000 minimum, new leather interior $10,000, woodwork restoration $2 - 3,000 minimum. Re-chroming - depends on the severity, but budget for at least $5,000. So far, that's $30,000. Value when complete ? Perhaps $50,000 depending on quality of restoration. I have a massive file of receipts for mine that I am too scared to total, but believe me, it is a job and a half to restore one of these chassis cars.
Man, I saw that ebay one last night and thought what a project? I've only seen a couple up close at last years Canberra Concours and voted the one below, Best in Show or whatever the people's choice award was called. Even Oscarette said she'd convert if I owned the car in question.
Of course, CraigS tells some home truths I suppose about what it takes, but what a car.
(http://gallery.w116.org/dl/3169-1/IMGP1057+_Medium_.JPG)
This is a 300b (or c) but with the incorrect hubcaps - not to mention the centre mount antenna on the roof, the incorrect welting between the inner/outer guards ! These hubcaps are correct for the one Des is looking at however.
This is how it should be !
(http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n77/Aegeanfoods/My%20Cars/Mercedes%20300b%201955/DSC02012.jpg)
(http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n77/Aegeanfoods/My%20Cars/Mercedes%20300b%201955/DSC02013.jpg)
Gawd I love that car!!
Craig, was it hard to get good wide whitewalls? Are they radials too? Also, what's welting? I'm trying to see the differences mentioned but not sure what you're referring to there.
I know you did a full nut'n'bolt resto and know more about them than most. The 300 badge below the trunk jogged my memory of a story of the classic centre being corrected about the placement of said badge. Was that you telling the story? It could've been some other car, I'm not sure, but it was an amusing story.
The tyres are not too difficult to get - just expensive ! These are cross plys - not exactly the best to prevent tram-lining. The "welting" is the fabric that goes between the inner and outer guards to act as an anti-squeak. Also sort of prevents water getting in between the panels, but is not so effective at that. It should always be body colour. Same for the inside of the mudguards. It looks like the silver one has been painted black, but it may be a shadow.
The difference between the 300 and the 300b (and c) is the front window. There is no quarter window. The hubcaos on mine are a one piece incorporating the wheel trim, whereas the 300 has just the hubcap. On the b, these one piece units cannot be rechromed as it requires a special anode to draw down the chrome into the curved part of the trim - and that is if the chrome plater could even get in there to polish it. They cannot be taken apart satisfactorily as the cap is rolled onto the trim. MB list price for these is in excess of US$500 EACH !
Yes, it was me telling the story about the Classic Centre, and it was the licence plate lights which were upside down.
Also, notice the two chrome strips above and below the 300 badge. These are almost always missing as the clips rust through and they fall off. I notice that the one Des is looking at has one, but it seems the bottom one is missing. Replacements are available for about EUR 100 each - unchromed ! The good part about all the chrome work is that it is on a brass base, so rust is not a problem. What is more difficult is if a piece of chrome is missing, as each piece was fitted to the car, and then plated, so each one is unique.
Quote from: Andrew280SEL on 10 June 2007, 06:20 AM
Well he did say he was inspired to suicide...
not inspired but more measured on the same scale of reckless ambitions,
(I was watching a discovery channel documentary about the battle yesterday)
Craig, dropping you a PM, thanks
Des, are you feeling ill?
About selling the 6.9?
Quote from: gregdeklerk on 11 June 2007, 12:47 AM
About selling the 6.9?
Yes and no,
it was a great car,
enjoyed driving it, but I was also bored and restless with it. I don't need burning rubber or 7 odd liters of Germany's finest to be happy, I am after something different, Maybe an RR, Bentley, maybe a Mercedes 170, something prewar, maybe that 300, still undecided.
I hope Ian is happy with his new 6.9 and meets his expectations based on the pictures and info I provided him with.
QuoteI don't need burning rubber or 7 odd liters of Germany's finest to be happy
I do! :)
Quotemeets his expectations based on the pictures and info
For something purchased sight-unseen, i'm pretty happy with it. So will my servo.
Quote from: Des on 11 June 2007, 12:53 AM
I am after something different, .... maybe that 300.
How about this 300? Have you got a spare $55,000
Click Here (http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/MERCEDES/300B/details.aspx?Model=300B&__Nne=20&__N=1090+0+4294958425+834+285+257&Make=MERCEDES&State=All%20States&silo=1003&state_id=0&distance=25&Cr=0&seot=0&__sid=11326707F029&R=1160580&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime%7C1&trecs=1)
(http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4514/1785181193673e7gj7.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)(http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1332/178518519369e24jh1.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Oscar what a car!
definitely a cruise car!
This is VERY cheap, IF it is a genuine cabriolet d. But something tells me it's not. If it is a 1954, it should not have that dash. The dash covered in leather is more of a 300, not a "b" so I am guessing that it is a 1953, and possibly a sedan conversion. You would have to know the VIN to confirm.
Irrespective, if it is a genuine cabriolet, it is a bargain. There is one for sale in Germany at present which had a buy it now price of 149,999 GBP (A$375,000).
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mercedes-Benz-300-Cabriolet-D-Adenauer-Bj-52-mit-Tuev-H_W0QQitemZ230141162092QQihZ013QQcategoryZ9855QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Yes I have seen conversion kits for 1950's Mercedes to turn them into cabriolet's
It is a conversion. I couldn't resist and had to call the seller. It's value is probably about right, but not for me !
It is is it. The only difference I noticed at first was that the top down on the grey one didn't look quite right.
You've got me into nit picking mode Craig, not that I know jack about these cars apart from I know they look divine.
Three things I notice now comparing that german ebay one.
I've always liked the look of those chrome hinges for the top. However the car I posted have them bent the wrong way. Kinda like how birds' knees bend backwards compared to humans.
Secondly, if the grey one is a conversion of a sedan, would one of the signs be because of the chrome frame around the side windows present, or do both have that with the chrome sills attached to the windows.
Lastly, the grey one is missing the 300 rear badge ::)
The top is a correct one, but they made a change so that the top supposedly sat flatter against the body, not that you would notice in these photos. However, this top could have come from a b or a c, or even a d. It would have been an incredibly complex conversion, and I would want to know what strengthing was done to the body to prevent it folding in half.
They all have the chrome sills along the window edge.
Not only the 300 badge, but also the two chrome strips above and below where the badge should be. Unfortunately, the photos are not clear or large enough to see it all properly.
seller admitted openly it was a conversion?
shows some people are still honest, might have been trying to flog it off as a genuine
Yes, admitted it straight away. She bought it at auction about 8 years ago, and said it was converted by a Mercedes mechanic in the 1980's. Owner owns an antique shop, and this seems it was the motivation for the purchase. Seems to be a genuine seller - just not a genuine car !
I, too, e-mailed the seller, and got the following response from the agent:
While not done during the time the car has been held with us, the roof was originally a hard top and the colour was jet black. While these changes have not been done by Mercedes themselves, they have been completed by Mercedes engineers and the work is as good as you would expect from the company themselves.
Refreshing honesty. :)