The Forum

Garage => Test Drive => Topic started by: NormW116 on 13 March 2019, 10:11 AM

Title: W116 restoration
Post by: NormW116 on 13 March 2019, 10:11 AM
Hi everyone. It has been a few years since I posted on here. I cannot find my original intro post but basically the W116 in questions is my father's 280SE, 1977 manual which he bought in 1980. It had been off the road since about 1994 and just sat in a garage. About 6 years ago we started the restoration project ourselves (with limited knowledge), but we did get the car running, rebuilt brakes, etc, things like that. But then it stagnated for a while as we ran out of skills. So we finally found a garage with bodyshop in 2016/17 that completed the project for us. Dad actually wanted to have the car ready for my wedding in June 2017 but sadly it didn't quite make it... thankfully he had my old white W126 which was a decent replacement on the day. Anyway, about 2 months later the W116 was back on the road. Such an amazing car, we just love it and my dad was over the moon to have it back in use after so many years.
You will notice the front bumper doesn't sit 100%, that's because the beam under it was rotted away and the garage had to fabricate something as we couldn't find one anywhere. But we can live with it fine.


Title: Re: W116 restoration
Post by: NormW116 on 13 March 2019, 10:16 AM
more pics
Title: Re: W116 restoration
Post by: NormW116 on 13 March 2019, 10:17 AM
1
Title: Re: W116 restoration
Post by: revilla on 13 March 2019, 11:17 AM
Gorgeous!!! +nice story
Congratulations

Title: Re: W116 restoration
Post by: irvine on 13 March 2019, 07:17 PM
Really liking the clean look of just the merc badge on the boot lid.
Looks great and will surly get some attention driving around looking that fresh.

Neil.
Title: Re: W116 restoration
Post by: NormW116 on 14 March 2019, 06:58 AM
Thanks guy, yes my dad has had a lot of people coming up to speak to him about it. Even had one ask if he can take a photo. Funny because last time it was on the road back in 1994 it was just an old Merc, and now it's a classic. Such a handsome car though, I just love the w116 shape... but then I was born and raised on it! The car is very much a part of the family and it's great to have it back in action.
Title: Re: W116 restoration
Post by: irvine on 14 March 2019, 08:25 PM
I've even been stopped by the police a couple of times so they could see it, everyone always has a w116 connection.

Neil.
Title: Re: W116 restoration
Post by: ptashek on 16 March 2019, 11:20 AM
Well done on the restoration. There may be better cars, but a well sorted W116 is a happiness inducing machine. Enjoy it :)