Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"

sda

fintail said:

Hipsters love that patina.

With few exceptions I don't get that look. It needs to be painted! If the paint is in decent shape, maybe with a few scratches, pecks, touch ups, I' m ok with that.

ab348

What I really don't get is that now some people will send that off to be clear-coated in order to preserve that patina.

The whole world is going crazy, or I'm just getting real old real fast.

fintail

I don't get the look either. I can deal with tired old paint with chips etc, or thin paint and crusty surfaces on a genuinely old (say, prewar) car, but when rusty metal is showing through, it's time to take action.

Perfect for the guy with a twirly mustache and a manbun to drive down to the local artisinal watering hole.

isellhondas

OK, I've gone and done it! Bought! MINT MINT MINT 1979 Mercedes Benz 450 SLC. Stored in a garage for seven years, driven less than 1000 miles in that period by the daughter of the original owner who passed away. Bought new in Newport Beach by a WW-2 Fighter Pilot who BABIED this car like no other! 3 inch thick folder of all service records. Owner's Manual, Original Bill of Sale. Protecto Plate. Flawless interior and exterior, Factory Mercedes chrome wheels, sunroof, everything works, COLD A/C. TOTALLY original Becker Mexico radio. In shop now for oil change and inspection. Probably too nice to drive but I couldn't resist. Car was 37,000 in 1979 dollars! It'll be a Garage Queen for sure!

isellhondas

Hey, Fin...where in Bellevue do you take yours?

stickguy

How much that set you back? But does sound like a nice one! Definitely a car you want to buy perfect, not needy.

fintail

Wow, that came out of left field. What color is this car? I might know it. If you maintain it, it might not be too bad to live with, if everything has been maintained to this point. As was said, sounds like you bought the best possible, which is the way to go - you do not want one of these as a project car, and restoring one is financially insane.

There are a few indy shops around here that look decent, I've patronized Adam at The Mercedes Garage for 13 years now, as he is skilled, honest, and nearby - also not afraid of older cars.

omarman

wonder how much apple stock was going for in 1979? I would have liked to have bought a new 1979 Buick Park Avenue Limited and the balance in tech stock.

$37k in 1979 was a lot of money and bought a lot of car(s). Congrats on your new/old project car.

Just googled and found that Apple went public in 1980 with IPO price of $22 per share.

fintail

That 37K also shows 70s inflation and currency issues - an SLC just 6 years earlier would have been under 20K.

One could have invested 100K in local real estate in 1979 and have seven figures today, with almost no effort.

explorerx4

I thought that 62 Chevy had the pebble beach trunk option.

tjc78

isellhondas said:

OK, I've gone and done it! Bought! MINT MINT MINT 1979 Mercedes Benz 450 SLC. Stored in a garage for seven years, driven less than 1000 miles in that period by the daughter of the original owner who passed away. Bought new in Newport Beach by a WW-2 Fighter Pilot who BABIED this car like no other! 3 inch thick folder of all service records. Owner's Manual, Original Bill of Sale. Protecto Plate. Flawless interior and exterior, Factory Mercedes chrome wheels, sunroof, everything works, COLD A/C. TOTALLY original Becker Mexico radio. In shop now for oil change and inspection. Probably too nice to drive but I couldn't resist. Car was 37,000 in 1979 dollars! It'll be a Garage Queen for sure!

Congrats!!  If you can we would love to see some pics 

andres3

isellhondas said:

OK, I've gone and done it! Bought! MINT MINT MINT 1979 Mercedes Benz 450 SLC. Stored in a garage for seven years, driven less than 1000 miles in that period by the daughter of the original owner who passed away. Bought new in Newport Beach by a WW-2 Fighter Pilot who BABIED this car like no other! 3 inch thick folder of all service records. Owner's Manual, Original Bill of Sale. Protecto Plate. Flawless interior and exterior, Factory Mercedes chrome wheels, sunroof, everything works, COLD A/C. TOTALLY original Becker Mexico radio. In shop now for oil change and inspection. Probably too nice to drive but I couldn't resist. Car was 37,000 in 1979 dollars! It'll be a Garage Queen for sure!

I can picture a fighter pilot doing maintenance religiously, but I can't fathom that MB hasn't seen full wide open throttle in its heyday. I suppose it depends what you mean by "babied." Then again, a WW2 veteran was probably getting old by the time 1979 rolled around.

Mr_Shiftright

Chances are a 450SLC hasn't seen a wide open throttle very often. This is a heavy highway cruiser.

berri

I hope it turns out well for Isell and his latest acquisition. Quite a step up from a Honda, so watch that accelerator and the unmarked police vehicle

qbrozen

you sure about that? I honestly have no idea what kind of power a '79 450SL puts down, but I'm pretty darned confident that today's 4-cyl Accords can run away from one.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

you sure about that? I honestly have no idea what kind of power a '79 450SL puts down, but I'm pretty darned confident that today's 4-cyl Accords can run away from one.

For a 1979 U.S. model, the 450SLC would put out 180HP, with a curb weight of 3,800 lbs and a 0-60 time of 11 seconds. So a Nissan Versa or a Smart Fortwo would beat it but it could outrun a Ford Transit van and run in a dead heat with a Mitsubishi Mirage.

But it's all relative. A 1956 VW Beetle would take 28 seconds, so in that race you'd feel like you were in an Indy car.

steine13

>> So a Nissan Versa or a Smart Fortwo would beat it [..]

Ya know shifty, for a guy like me who grew up when these cars were cool, I sometimes wish your memory weren't quite as sharp. I liked my illusions just fine back when I had them...

Mr_Shiftright

But what does it matter? The Smart Fortwo driver would have his brain rattling in his head for a good half hour after the race, and the Nissan Versa would have exhausted itself and might need to lean against a building to rest.

But the 450SL driver would just signal the engine room on the telegraph to go "Half Ahead", give a jaunty wave, and then bob serenely o'er the waves.

fintail

Yeah, off the line, a new Camcord will dust a 70s SL. But that's not the point of the SL. It's a boulevard cruiser, not a racer. On a 35 mph road in a scenic area, windows down, the SLC will look cooler and probably be more fun than any modern transportation box.

isellhondas

fintail said:

Wow, that came out of left field. What color is this car? I might know it. If you maintain it, it might not be too bad to live with, if everything has been maintained to this point. As was said, sounds like you bought the best possible, which is the way to go - you do not want one of these as a project car, and restoring one is financially insane.

There are a few indy shops around here that look decent, I've patronized Adam at The Mercedes Garage for 13 years now, as he is skilled, honest, and nearby - also not afraid of older cars.

Thanks for the information. the car is silver with a perfect black leather interior. I doubt if you've seen it but it's possible. For seven years since the old guy died it had lived in a garage in Sammamish. The daughter would take it out once in awhile and drive if for a bit. The gas was old and stinky and the oil was last changed seven years and 900 miles ago. Took it to an Indy Shop in Issaquah and the guy did the "Oil Service" for 300.00 that included a lengthy inspection. They found NOTHING wrong. Ice cold A/C, brakes at 10MM etc. they had an unprofitable Treasure Hunt. It will reside in our garage until I tire of it but I have to say, I feel more like a Caretaker than I do an Owner. It now has a fresh tank of Premium. Am I the only one who didn't know this little V-8 takes 8.5 quarts of oil?

isellhondas

berri said:

I hope it turns out well for Isell and his latest acquisition. Quite a step up from a Honda, so watch that accelerator and the unmarked police vehicle

Funny you would say that! Today I got pulled over for the first time in probably 20 years by a Washington State Trooper in an Explorer for going 28 in a 20 MPH school zone. Oh, I saw him but he had me clocked! Nicest cop I've ever met and ha let me off with a warning. Not in the Mercedes but in our Trailblazer.

isellhondas

The SLC does not seem fast per se taking off from a light. I've owned GTO's, Buick Rivieras a 409 Chevy and even Honda Accords that seemed much faster. I suspect it get's it's "legs" on the open road like an autobahn somewhere. I don't intend to find out.

fintail

Sounds awesome, we need pics! Give it a good detail and show it off. Maybe you should join the MBCA, not many nice SLCs out there. You'd get some looks at the yearly gathering.

Did you take it to Automeister? I've heard that place is good too, I don't know of any others in your neighborhood.

I am not surprised by the oil. I think the fintail takes 7 quarts, and it has half the displacement of the SL.

isellhondas said:

Thanks for the information. the car is silver with a perfect black leather interior. I doubt if you've seen it but it's possible. For seven years since the old guy died it had lived in a garage in Sammamish. The daughter would take it out once in awhile and drive if for a bit. The gas was old and stinky and the oil was last changed seven years and 900 miles ago. Took it to an Indy Shop in Issaquah and the guy did the "Oil Service" for 300.00 that included a lengthy inspection. They found NOTHING wrong. Ice cold A/C, brakes at 10MM etc. they had an unprofitable Treasure Hunt. It will reside in our garage until I tire of it but I have to say, I feel more like a Caretaker than I do an Owner. It now has a fresh tank of Premium. Am I the only one who didn't know this little V-8 takes 8.5 quarts of oil?

texases

isellhondas said:

The SLC does not seem fast per se taking off from a light. I've owned GTO's, Buick Rivieras a 409 Chevy and even Honda Accords that seemed much faster. I suspect it get's it's "legs" on the open road like an autobahn somewhere. I don't intend to find out.

Do they start in 2nd gear unless you floor it? I've seen comments about older MBs and their lazy takeoff.

isellhondas

fintail said:

Sounds awesome, we need pics! Give it a good detail and show it off. Maybe you should join the MBCA, not many nice SLCs out there. You'd get some looks at the yearly gathering.

Did you take it to Automeister? I've heard that place is good too, I don't know of any others in your neighborhood.

I am not surprised by the oil. I think the fintail takes 7 quarts, and it has half the displacement of the SL.

isellhondas said:

Thanks for the information. the car is silver with a perfect black leather interior. I doubt if you've seen it but it's possible. For seven years since the old guy died it had lived in a garage in Sammamish. The daughter would take it out once in awhile and drive if for a bit. The gas was old and stinky and the oil was last changed seven years and 900 miles ago. Took it to an Indy Shop in Issaquah and the guy did the "Oil Service" for 300.00 that included a lengthy inspection. They found NOTHING wrong. Ice cold A/C, brakes at 10MM etc. they had an unprofitable Treasure Hunt. It will reside in our garage until I tire of it but I have to say, I feel more like a Caretaker than I do an Owner. It now has a fresh tank of Premium. Am I the only one who didn't know this little V-8 takes 8.5 quarts of oil?

Yes, Automeister. I've read the reviews and the owner Jocko seems like an honest upfront guy and that's all I'm looking for. BTW, it only has 102,000 actual miles on it. Maybe we can meet up sometime?

isellhondas

texases said:

isellhondas said:

The SLC does not seem fast per se taking off from a light. I've owned GTO's, Buick Rivieras a 409 Chevy and even Honda Accords that seemed much faster. I suspect it get's it's "legs" on the open road like an autobahn somewhere. I don't intend to find out.

Do they start in 2nd gear unless you floor it? I've seen comments about older MBs and their lazy takeoff.

You know, I hadn't thought of that but I'm thinking it may very well start out in second gear. I'll have to mess with it next time. Old Chevy Powerglides used to do that too until they started shifting for themselves in 1953. I have to wonder why?

fintail

We'll have to sometime yeah. If you plan to keep it, you should join the club, too - it could be useful, and there are events where people will appreciate the car. SLCs have a high survival rate, but many of them are neglected. A nice one is uncommon. The real rare one is the 500SLC. I believe most V8 SLCs were sold in the US market.

I believe US spec cars have a dual mode auto - "D" for first gear start, "S" for second gear. Euro cars with 6cyl could actually be had with a manual, first a 4-speed, and later 5-speed.

isellhondas said:

Yes, Automeister. I've read the reviews and the owner Jocko seems like an honest upfront guy and that's all I'm looking for. BTW, it only has 102,000 actual miles on it. Maybe we can meet up sometime?

Mr_Shiftright

It's a heavy car with about the same HP as my Mini Cooper. It takes a bit of effort to get all that mass moving. They also have a very highway-friendly axle ratio of 3.06 in 1979, which they changed all the way down (or up, if you will) to 2.65 (!!). No doubt this was done to dampen concerns about the car's fuel appetite, which can be heavy in city driving. Combined MPG is about 15 mpg, however, no better or worse than any typical American V-8 of the time. Top speed is about 125 mph. It's got a 38 foot turning radius, so plan ahead!

fintail

Also, those big bumpers can be handy if you bump something - we all remember the scene in "Casino" where the 450SL rams the Eldo, with damage that would be severe on a modern car:

berri

You know, I think Isell needs a big pair of shades when he drives that new ride so I can call him Hollywood

isellhondas

Mr_Shiftright said:

It's a heavy car with about the same HP as my Mini Cooper. It takes a bit of effort to get all that mass moving. They also have a very highway-friendly axle ratio of 3.06 in 1979, which they changed all the way down (or up, if you will) to 2.65 (!!). No doubt this was done to dampen concerns about the car's fuel appetite, which can be heavy in city driving. Combined MPG is about 15 mpg, however, no better or worse than any typical American V-8 of the time. Top speed is about 125 mph. It's got a 38 foot turning radius, so plan ahead!

Yes, it IS heavy and it FEELS heavy! I made a nice space for it in the garage and I didn't realize just how LONG this car is! I think it's longer that our Trailblazer! The high rear end ratio doesn't surprise me. I wish it were a bit lower since I don't see any autobahns nearby!

fintail

So when are we getting pics of this beauty?

When I had a 6 cyl W126 (80s S-Class), it would be at around 3500 rpm at 70 mph, more wound up than I prefer (but very smooth). The fintail is similar. MB got the 5 speed auto around 1992 or so, I think.

Mr_Shiftright

He just sent me this photo:

fintail

I love the white Taurus in the background, one of these cars is unlike the others.

I was thinking it would be like this:

Mr_Shiftright

Oh, man, I'd love to bring that to a Benz Club tour.

Well it wouldn't be the fastest rally car, but it could take a beating.

explorerx4

Rust free from AZ is good, but...
https://newlondon.craigslist.org/cto/d/2003-subaru-forester-arizona/6609875155.html

Mr_Shiftright

Good interior and some sheet metal, but $1K seems pricey.

qbrozen

Well...4 new tires. Can't imagine bothering with removing the clutch to use elsewhere. I suppose the vehicle's best use would be for converting an auto version to manual.

omarman

"Did not intend on this happening."

berri

High school football practice

fintail

They were a thing back in the day, I think especially in 1979-80-81:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Oh, man, I'd love to bring that to a Benz Club tour.

Well it wouldn't be the fastest rally car, but it could take a beating.

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, maybe Paris-Dakar or some such. That would fit in, time-wise, to this car.

explorerx4

Kinda like this
https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/d/1951-mercury/6611779024.html

berri

I like that Merc too. Always thought that era Mercury looked best as a suicide 4 dr. Had a guy up the street while growing up who had one in black and drove it for a long time.

isellhondas

fintail said:

So when are we getting pics of this beauty?

When I had a 6 cyl W126 (80s S-Class), it would be at around 3500 rpm at 70 mph, more wound up than I prefer (but very smooth). The fintail is similar. MB got the 5 speed auto around 1992 or so, I think.

As soon as I learn how to post them.

isellhondas

Mr_Shiftright said:

He just sent me this photo:

Oh, man, WHERE did you find that picture of me with my car?

Mr_Shiftright

No, no! That's a photo of the guy who repairs 450SLs.

fintail

It's more easy now than ever. If you want some hints I can try to help.

isellhondas said:

As soon as I learn how to post them.

Mr_Shiftright

fintail said:

It's more easy now than ever. If you want some hints I can try to help.

isellhondas said:

As soon as I learn how to post them.

Once the images are in a file on your computer, just click the little "mountain" tab at the top of this comment box and then click on "choose files", then click on the photo file in your computer, then click "open", then post the comment. That's for a PC but I think the Mac is very similar.

omarman

I test drove one of these new in 1989, but the one I drove was black with red leather interior. Very nice car, fast and smooth. But after shaking hands with the young salesman on price, the new car sales manager nerfed the deal and told me that his salesman had made a mistake. The "corrected" price was now $3,000 higher and I refused the deal. Still that was the fastest test drive I ever took with a salesman on board. From around 50-mph I pushed the pedal down and held it. WOT at 110-mph the automatic shifted into overdrive and I let off.

At the current price, it may still be a few grand too high.