280SE 3.5 coupe resurrection

[williamsmith707]

I have recently purchased a 1971 280SE 3.5 coupe that has been sitting in a covered carport for nearly twenty five years. It’s a long story of how this car came to be mine, but suffice it to say it was meant to be. I bought it sight unseen and not knowing if it ran or not.
The first thing I did was have it towed to a reputable vintage MB shop in that area and have him sort through it. They have removed the tank and had it cleaned, and have also flushed the fuel system, and so far everything works, though the injectors are spotty. They have taken it around the block a few times, and are hopeful that the injectors will all begin working smoothly.
One question I had was about the air conditioning. The mechanic told me that this (grey market) car never had it, but I was under the impression that the 3.5 coupes all were built with air. He is recommending I look into some kind of Vintage air setup that, though not at all original, will at least work well. Isn't there some other unit from a sedan or something that will fit better?
Also, he is telling me that he wants to begin replacing rubber hoses, seals, etc. that may have rotted. I am wondering how much of this I should have them do, and how much I can do myself. On a 1-10 car mechanic scale I'm a 4 or so. It sounds as though the car is running well enough to ship, and I cannot afford to get into an open-ended restoration process right now. Any advice would be appreciated.
The only pictures I have of the car are of when it was last driven, probably in ’79 or so. When I get some newer shots, I’ll post them here.
Thanks everyone
- Will

[bikis]

"Original" Behr unit for 3.5 coupe was just sold on E-bay in a few hours. I saw it for the first time ever there. Check this link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4549090835&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT
At Silver Star Motors(?) I was quoted $4200 for the whole system. I would like to have original unit, but this price is half what I paid for the car. I just bought Kuhlemeister unit for $300 and going to put it in. These were used till 1968 in w111 cars. I think this is the best choise for the money. But this is only one component of the A/C system. Don't forget about compressor, condenser, drier, hoses, wiring...

Vilius

[deanyel]

All U.S. 3.5s had air but many Euro cars did not. If it was me I would not put in air that was not correct for the car, and I also wouldn't pay $4k for the right one, if that was what it was going to cost. With a $4k for air philosophy you will be upside down in the car before you know it - no matter how cheaply you bought it. If it was me I'd stick with original - no A/C.

[tosbt]

Upside down is the only position for these cars. Replace all rubber, motor mounts, sub-frame busings, break and transmission lines they are gone. Start with the core and then go to the other stuff, there will be plenty of it. Air wiould be the last thing I would do.

[norbtx]

What's that mean these cars are upside down.

[oxymoron]

I'd go for it. I had a V-8 coupe that I sold in the mid-80s with the idea that if I ever again just HAD to have one, I'd get it. Then the prices for good ones went out of sight. I put a good radio in it. That Behr air will chill a six pack in the front seat when it is running right.
If you're in it as an investment, you shouldn't modify it, but if not, it's your car and forget the Originality Police. It's yours to enjoy.
I saw a completely restored one here in Houston at a shop. Every nut and bolt had been replaced. It was on a lift and you could have eaten off the underside of it. The shop owner said the guy had spent over 80k on it. It's not a convertible, so he'll never see that money again. He's upside down in a big way. But he's got a coupe that is probably as good as the day it left the showroom.
If I had a car, even a hobby car that I wanted to drive and it didn't have air, I would get to use it for about twenty (non-consecutive) days a year.

[norbtx]

Hey Oxy, what shop was that in Houston.

[oxymoron]

Benz by Blair on Star Lane, near Chimney Rock and 59

[williamsmith707]

Yeah they have mentioned the rubber and brake lines, as well as brake calipers may need to be replaced. I am sure there will be a lot of money going into this car (don't tell my wife).

My ambition is to drive the car on weekends and never sell it, well, you know... It already holds some sentimental value - it rolled off the line a month before I was born.

This was probably in the late '70s or so. The mechanic that is working on it now lived right down the road from the old lady I bought it from, and used to see it when he walked to high school in '79. It was in a carport, junk stacked all around it, covered with a car cover and a piece of carpet. As soon as he saw it he knew it was the same car. When he got it running, he drove it back to her house and told her that story. Luckily, my check had already cleared by then. j/k She did tell me that there was 'quite a bit of interest in the car' when the MB shop came and uncovered it and pushed it out. I bet!

According to the mechanic, there is no rust anywhere, which is good news to me. The wood is also in excellent shape. It's about to kill me to see this car, and I am torn between having him pack it up for shipment, and the desire to have him sort through it a little deeper. I would guess that there are much better mechanics for this sort of car there in AZ than here in eastern TN, so I will probably go at least to the next tier; rubber.


From this interior shot, you can see the panel where the AC would have been. Will a Kuhlmeister or however you spell that fit there? Will it work with a Sanden compressor like the street rod guys use?

I am still waiting on some updated pictures, and will post some when they come.

Thanks again for all the help

-WIll

[tosbt]

Looks like you got a lot to work with and I'll bet a very nice car. You are probally looking at a lot of decaded rubber under the hood also. Power Stearning seal kit and more likely such as the stearing box. Eastern Tenn., well you get a good hot summer by for only a few months out of the year and I will repeat Air is the last thing I would tackel. UPSIDE DOWN means you will always have more money in the car than you can sell it for. A position that I know well. Sort of like the Kinsey of the Auto world.

[norbtx]

They are great looking cars though! The coupe is the poorman's cabriolet. The only thing that I've found keeping mine going, is that parts are hard to get or are really expensive, because they price the parts for the cab. But man is it a good looking car!

http://www.classiccarsofct.com/Merc111.html
http://www.silverstarrestorations.com/111SE.htm

[williamsmith707]

My very first car, a 1986 Chrysler Lebaron GTS, never did go RIGHT-SIDE UP, even after it was paid for. No kidding. Dealers literaly told me what it would COST me to leave the car there.

In this case, however, I am not and believe I will never be in that position. Buying this car was pretty steep gamble for a man of my means, but I believe it will pay off. The previous owner didn't want to spend even 1¢ on it, and wanted it sold as-is where-is. The cover could be taken off only about halfway, and the doors could only be opened about 6". You guys know what these coupes sell for, and I paid a fraction of that. Considering that the mechanic at least had it running in about 10 days, I feel good.

Other than what a casual Google search turns up, do you guys have any super-secret sources for parts like injector pumps, calipers, and the truckload of misc. rubber parts I need? I hope I don't need a pump, as they seem to be around $500, but the calipers are probable.

-Will

[JMela]

Calipers shouldn't be too tough, and Millermbz.com has a 'rubber kit' of all body seals for much less than if purchased separately.

Make the car safe first - brakes and steering.

[Q45Denver]

Originally Posted by williamsmith707

Yeah they have mentioned the rubber and brake lines, as well as brake calipers may need to be replaced. I am sure there will be a lot of money going into this car (don't tell my wife).

My ambition is to drive the car on weekends and never sell it, well, you know... It already holds some sentimental value - it rolled off the line a month before I was born.

This was probably in the late '70s or so. The mechanic that is working on it now lived right down the road from the old lady I bought it from, and used to see it when he walked to high school in '79. It was in a carport, junk stacked all around it, covered with a car cover and a piece of carpet. As soon as he saw it he knew it was the same car. When he got it running, he drove it back to her house and told her that story. Luckily, my check had already cleared by then. j/k She did tell me that there was 'quite a bit of interest in the car' when the MB shop came and uncovered it and pushed it out. I bet!

According to the mechanic, there is no rust anywhere, which is good news to me. The wood is also in excellent shape. It's about to kill me to see this car, and I am torn between having him pack it up for shipment, and the desire to have him sort through it a little deeper. I would guess that there are much better mechanics for this sort of car there in AZ than here in eastern TN, so I will probably go at least to the next tier; rubber.


From this interior shot, you can see the panel where the AC would have been. Will a Kuhlmeister or however you spell that fit there? Will it work with a Sanden compressor like the street rod guys use?

I am still waiting on some updated pictures, and will post some when they come.

Thanks again for all the help

-WIll

Here's one with the Kuhlmeister:

http://www.heritagewoodworks.com/images/300SE_Super.gif

You can see the blower fan on the right side. The Behr would add more value as it was original for the 3.5's. Keep an eye out on Ebay-there are several sellers that sell used 111 parts and may have one. It should work with a Sanden compressor but might require a York adapter. No rust and a good engine are the main things and you have an easily restorable car. All you need are the under dash parts. A good A/C shop should be able to supply the rest and do the install.

[williamsmith707]

Well here she is today... Looks good to me, guys; you can't see it, but I'm jumping up & down!!
Looks like I will have it in a month or so and the wait is killing me.

Tell me what you think.