I bought a 1980 450SL for $3000 US dollars. I was lucky as it was all original. It was found in a barn so I had to clean it up. So far I’ve got it back to running great but it still needs work. I’m glad there are others who love these classic cars.
Dear Mister, you´ve made a restoration of one in a million. Despite the robotic voice, I watched all the entire video. Your attention to detail and quality of your work is outstanding. Learning to paint with a spray gun? restorating leather seats?? come on. That´s what I call a job well done. You´re unique, my friend. I´ve seen professional work that is not even close to yours. It will be a invaluable guide for my own project. Thanks for sharing it, and taking the time to put it together.
Astonishing! A courageous man with a supportive wife. I think this car is a 'lifer' now and he'll keep it for the duration. These cars are gorgeous iconic machines and deserve to be preserved and enjoyed.
Congratulations on your restoration! An inspiring video with a lot of invaluable hints and tips on the products and processes you used and step by step picture guide. Everything noted for the extra work I need to do on my 1978 R107 Mercedes 450SL which I have owned for over 20 years.
Very useful guide for common people... no $1,000,000 museum quality restorations here - just good solid advice for fixing the problems of a daily driver.
We were watching it like a movie- few times. It is amazing what you have done and how you have done this car, Great job .It is also a beautiful story of a hard working man
Excellent, excellent job. Bravo. Inherited a 450SL in similar condition from my late uncle and I’m considering taking on getting the car back on the road.
Excellent job! Thank you for this inspiring video! Here in Nashville I found my dream car with not so much rust-1973 450 SLC. This car did not run. It was an education into the mystery ( later not so much a mystery) of Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection. The car would start then stop immediately. The FI computer was replaced by the previous owner. I removed the MAP sensor and it made a noise like a rattle can of paint. I found an NOS Bosch MAP sensor on Ebay. I renewed the fuel pump, fuel hoses-this helped and the engine ran longer but would not idle. I replaced the #1 and #2 coolant sensors-still no improvement. Someone had replaced the timing chain recently also. Renewed the ignition coil also-good spark. Did wet and dry compression tests and all cylinders were within spec. Asked advice from online posts but nothing really came of that. Weeks later at 2am I awakened and thought to myself "coolant flow"-I hadn't checked that! D-Jetronic FI operation is dependent upon engine coolant temp sensors and the MAP sensor to tell the computer using a throttle switch to supply the correct fuel mixture to the intake manifold through the fuel injectors. Removed the radiator and water pump. Someone had added radiator stop-leak the the coolant system. The stop-leak had totally clogged the water pump around the impeller and no coolant was flowing through the engine water jacket even though the engine was filled with coolant. The radiator was also clogged. Had the radiator repaired and I'll replace the water pump today after flushing the engine block. Sorry if I was long-winded on this comment but your video was so inspiring I had to share! Your car is beautiful and you did an amazing job! Cheers from Nashville, USA!
After just purchasing a 1973 SL and researching restoration information, came across your video.What an amazing achievement, I applaude your determination and dedication to see the project through, inspirational, great result.👏👏
You sir are a hero! Lovely car and unique colour combination. Also great idea with the windscreen! You are one talented guy and fortunate to be married to a wife that helps! Thanks for sharing the detailed video take care and god bless
Inspiring! All I've done is basic oil changes and brake work. I have an 81 380SL ready for some love, so thank you for giving me hope I can get my hands dirty and enjoy the car and restoration process. Thanks!
This car has us hooked - I’m heading in the same direction as you have with this car amazing the effort and work done Really nice job thanks for the Video post 👍
This is AMAZING, one of the best detailed videos of a magnificent restoration. You rock mate, and the final closing messages are truly inspiring! Beautiful outcome and I can imagine that you enjoyed those 3000 hours well invested
Awesome work! I enjoyed watching your 'journey' immensely and picked up lots of tips as well. Really good of you to document your work and post it up here! If I could shake your hand and buy you a beer i would and hopefully will have the chance someday. Well done indeed sir!
Great work and result is fantastic! I had the same 450sl model in blue as well; and had almost exactly the same type of faults and corrosion yours showed but ultimately the bulkhead had rotted badly on mine so I ended up selling it on. Enjoyed this video!
Great job! Cant believe someone would give this a thumbs down, probably the text to speech part, because the rest was great. I have restored many cars, motorcycles and machine tools, I felt for you every time I was a before repair pic knowing how much work it was to fix
i loved watching your video, thanks so much for your dedication to this old SL, your work is decplined and more qualified than some so called professionals. Its amazing what comes to leight with these cars, in my own case after a engine rebuild and complete body restoration to my loved Jag MK2 3.8 it was stolen in NL a year ago without a trace.
Amazing job on this, I have a 1975 450sl that's in really good condition and I've done enough of the work myself to appreciate the time and effort you put into this restoration. My bigger question is if you are still married and if so, please let your wife know she's very unusual. My wife is driving me crazy over my restoration. Also, I have to replace the oil pan gasket so seeing your info on the front frame drop will be a big help. THANKS!
Such a beautiful car and beautiful restoration. Your story and especially the end quote inspired me to get on and finish my 450sl project. Thank you very much. (By the way I love that color so much, such and awesome car)
I loved this thread on the Mercedes forum Jim. I thought about it today and stumbled across this video 😀 you fancy rejoining the club? Your Input was epic. Hope you are well and enjoying the amazing work you’ve done on the car.
Thanks! Watch out for another video next year. I am contemplating pulling the engine out this winter to respray the engine bay and will strip and rebuild the engine before putting it all back together.
I'm blown away! I have massive admiration for the work you have done. I have been through a long process with my 1980 350SL. So many similarities on the known design faults! How on earth did you mask the hub caps? It looked like you had a template to cover the Mercedes badge? Did you just mask up the remainder of the hub caps by hand without a template? You have more patience than me and I admire the fact you have self taught. Hats off to you!!
Man your video brings back painful memories of my current 280SL restoration started a mere two years ago. Car looked fine when I bought it, but as you peel back the layers, the horrors reveal themselves. I have a 450SL sitting in a field awaiting attention. Your video reminded me just how much work is involved. It would be really great if you did a follow up on cost. eg how much did you spend on paint, primer and clear coat etc. How much did you spend on parts...did you wife stop talking to you etc etc. Mike
Hi, I didn't keep a tally of the costs as the years passed but did keep all the receipts. Once complete I guessed that I had spent about £6k or £7k, it turned out to be double that, the details on the paint will be in the pdf, but I would guess ~£500 or less? Detailed spending sheet here www.racediagnostics.com/misc/Costs.pdf One other thing, if I had just spent the original car purchase cost plus the £14 in parts back 10 years ago, I could have bought a very good car (not so much now, prices have gone up a lot) but then I wouldn't have had the three thousand hours of fun for free.
Awesome restoration, of the car, at least you got the car, to keep on going and going, plus that blue color adds, a nice touch to the car, is that the original color, also was the air conditioning retrofitted with the new R-134 refrigerant, since the one that used to.be used is banned from being used.
@@racediagnostics nice color, you don*t see many Mercedes 450SL R107 with that color, I am surprised you put the steel rims with hubcaps, nice touch, considering that most had the alloy wheels, if you come by some nice alloys, they would also add a nice touch the original 14 inch alloys, but those hubcaps,add a touch of class,elegance to the 450 SL, the alloys I am talking about would add that sporty look to that car, 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽
As the young folks say "Dude!, u got mad skillz!" Great job on the restoration and for learning how to do all the steps on the way. that is quite an accomplishment. My advice to you is to never sell that car. The sweat equity work you put in alone is worth $50 grand at least in my opinion.
Very impressive mate, and possibly the only way to save a car like that unless you are a millionaire (3000 hours of a professional mechanic's time would be a tad pricy!). It was clearly a labour of love, and you probably spent more money on parts and equipment than the car is worth, but the end result looks beautiful. Hope it is still running well!
I had to install 4 way electric Jaguar , leather. I had to make my own control panel, and two choices in switches. Low V with relays or SPDT panel switches. Oh yes. and the seats are heated
Very nice work on what is generally considered to be a complex and difficult vehicle to restore, particularly in the UK where rust has well and truly got to most examples, though it's quite far to say that yours really wan't all that bad for one that had spent the first 30 years of its' life in the Portsmouth area, with the associated salt air from being near to the sea. I like your modification to fit the Audi TT seats, but it should be said that Recaro sports seats were a factory option in the R107 SL, as they were in most Mercedes-Benz models, though they are generally only seen in G-Wagens as factory option items in the UK...
I'm working on a 1977 450sl and I as well am learning how to weld and paint my self , I'm just wondering what the exact products were because the way yours turned out is absolutely amazing and I'd really love for my car to turn out the same , reply to this comment ASAP please ! Always here :)
@@jimstuart6191 Thanks for your prompt reply- I thought that would be the case. I'm about to do a vid on brake lines and flaring so if you have any tips from your own experience, I'd be happy to share them. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars I used a tool like this one, that worked well for me. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brake-Pipe-Flaring-Tool-for-4-75-DIN-flares-Hand-held-on-car-Powerhand-BFT-475/171616284265?hash=item27f520ae69:g:I14AAOSwT6pV5LDo
This is an amazing story. I just wish I had the energy, drive, and skills to do an R107 restoration like you did. My two R107s are basically rust free and the paint and appearance excellent ... but not as nice as your 450SL. You've got an "heirloom" to pass on to the next generation. I like those TT seats a lot. Exactly where did you find them?
Hi - just watched your restoration video again and wonder if you can tell me: 1. Did you use any particular brand of epoxy primer? 2. Did you ever use any weld through primer or etch primer? 3. What did you use to prime the back of panels that couldn't be accessed after welding? Meanwhile...Happy New Year to you and the family. Mike
Hi Mike, 1) For the underside of the car and inner wings I brushed on Jotamastic 87 (designed for ship hulls), then a rubber stone chip then 2k blue, for the outer panels I sprayed on Lechler 29107, then 2k high build primer before base and 2k clear. 2) Only on the backs of panels, mainly etch primer, that couldn't be accessed after welding. 3) As above, however I also ensured there were access holes on all chassis/box sections so I could inject with wax/oil to prevent rust. I inject Dinitrol ML every year in all enclosed sections, it is pretty runny so creeps into seams before the solvent in it evaporates to leave a waxy mess. Happy new year and good luck Jim
Hello Jim interesting to watch you go through the process. Could you tell me, the adhesive you used on the rubber seals. I could not pick up on the name. I bought an SL in July 2022. I was lucky no rust at all (only in the back bumper but small area and the channel where the rubber seal goes for the soft top coffin - again only surface rust) I stripped the car and immediately had the body painted, then rebuilt as you have done the front suspension, new discs and wheel bearings. But the heater on my car is like furnace there is no controlling it to keep the heating at a nice temperature, it is like driving in a blast furnace. Heaven knows which area is causing that problem (maybe the vacuum valve controlled by the switch). Stripping the hardtop was good to do to locate small leak at the rear top corner passenger side, I think due to the window not being sealed properly so that is now done. Does you car take in any rainwater in any area of the hard top?? Very much enjoyed your video - good work - regards JS
I used Upol Tiger Seal to glue in the new seals. As for the water ingress, well the car has not been out in rain since 2016. I also had a stuck on heater, it was caused by a lose vac line on the bulkhead. Good luck!
What a job, well done. Keep it going, it will run forever. I have an SL450 too (1976) and it runs great. Will be changing the carpets in the next few days, any tops? Thank you in advance
I have a 1974 sl 450. As I see it if I spend 20 -30 k on the repairs as you did, I'll never come close to ever getting my money back. As you point out this car rusts out from the inside out. I'm afraid that most of them will disappear because of that and the fact so many have been stripped for parts. Maybe this car will become a desired rarity.
Amazing job - complete respect. And you learned to weld and paint - I am inspired to do likewise (well weld at least) as I am part way through a rolling restoration. Just started to strip it for a re-spay and finding rust. I have a question - at 33 mins 26 seconds you appear to be holding a masking template for the star on the hub caps? Where can I get one of these ?
try here www.ebay.co.uk/itm/wheel-hubcap-tool-stencil-14-inch-for-Mercedes-W-107-108-109-111-113-114-115-/283155024756?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10
So jealous of this beautiful restoration. I have a 1980 450sl and want to restore it like you did. Could you send me links to the websites that you used for parts?
Hi Could you kindly let me know the spray paint you used for the centre console, as I couldn't quite hear, and I need to do mine, in red, too. Many thanks Sue
Pretty much what Im doing with my 350SLC and I was quoted often that There was nothing more expensive than a Cheap mercedes lol. So far apart from undoing bad previous work on mine (Check my UA-cam for snippets) its been positive if not time consuming.
I’m in awe of your home based restoration and learning new skills in order to complete it. Huge applause.
What Talent you found out that you had was you knew you could learn and save money at the same time, you are Gifted. Great job !
You make me feel guilty, I found a mint condition 1985 380 SL, Midnight blue 32 years ago and kept it perfect ever since!
Thank you for this amazing car restoration story. I watched every bit. Incredible.
I’m considering buying an SL. I stumbled on your video and it gave me plenty of things to look out for. Fantastic result.
I bought a 1980 450SL for $3000 US dollars. I was lucky as it was all original. It was found in a barn so I had to clean it up. So far I’ve got it back to running great but it still needs work. I’m glad there are others who love these classic cars.
Great story, very inspiring and motivating for my own R107 project. You deserved that Stella ... cheers from Belgium!
An extraordinary feat of restoration. The end result is a testament to your skill and perseverance. Well done sir!
Perseverance and hard work are the most amazing tools in the arsenal. Great job on a beautiful car
Dear Mister, you´ve made a restoration of one in a million.
Despite the robotic voice, I watched all the entire video.
Your attention to detail and quality of your work is outstanding. Learning to paint with a spray gun? restorating leather seats?? come on. That´s what I call a job well done. You´re unique, my friend.
I´ve seen professional work that is not even close to yours.
It will be a invaluable guide for my own project.
Thanks for sharing it, and taking the time to put it together.
Astonishing! A courageous man with a supportive wife. I think this car is a 'lifer' now and he'll keep it for the duration. These cars are gorgeous iconic machines and deserve to be preserved and enjoyed.
Congratulations on your restoration! An inspiring video with a lot of invaluable hints and tips on the products and processes you used and step by step picture guide. Everything noted for the extra work I need to do on my 1978 R107 Mercedes 450SL which I have owned for over 20 years.
Amazing work you have done to save this beautiful SL !
Wow! Awesome work. Your perseverance and attention to detail are inspiring (and a little intimidating for a new R107 purchaser). Thank you.
Very useful guide for common people... no $1,000,000 museum quality restorations here - just good solid advice for fixing the problems of a daily driver.
We were watching it like a movie- few times. It is amazing what you have done and how you have done this car, Great job .It is also a beautiful story of a hard working man
Excellent, excellent job. Bravo. Inherited a 450SL in similar condition from my late uncle and I’m considering taking on getting the car back on the road.
Excellent job! Thank you for this inspiring video! Here in Nashville I found my dream car with not so much rust-1973 450 SLC. This car did not run. It was an education into the mystery ( later not so much a mystery) of Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection. The car would start then stop immediately. The FI computer was replaced by the previous owner. I removed the MAP sensor and it made a noise like a rattle can of paint. I found an NOS Bosch MAP sensor on Ebay. I renewed the fuel pump, fuel hoses-this helped and the engine ran longer but would not idle. I replaced the #1 and #2 coolant sensors-still no improvement. Someone had replaced the timing chain recently also. Renewed the ignition coil also-good spark. Did wet and dry compression tests and all cylinders were within spec. Asked advice from online posts but nothing really came of that. Weeks later at 2am I awakened and thought to myself "coolant flow"-I hadn't checked that! D-Jetronic FI operation is dependent upon engine coolant temp sensors and the MAP sensor to tell the computer using a throttle switch to supply the correct fuel mixture to the intake manifold through the fuel injectors. Removed the radiator and water pump. Someone had added radiator stop-leak the the coolant system. The stop-leak had totally clogged the water pump around the impeller and no coolant was flowing through the engine water jacket even though the engine was filled with coolant. The radiator was also clogged. Had the radiator repaired and I'll replace the water pump today after flushing the engine block. Sorry if I was long-winded on this comment but your video was so inspiring I had to share! Your car is beautiful and you did an amazing job! Cheers from Nashville, USA!
Thank you for this beautiful video. I'm beginning my restoration of a 450slc. Enjoy the ride.
After just purchasing a 1973 SL and researching restoration information, came across your video.What an amazing achievement, I applaude your determination and dedication to see the project through, inspirational, great result.👏👏
You sir are a hero! Lovely car and unique colour combination. Also great idea with the windscreen! You are one talented guy and fortunate to be married to a wife that helps! Thanks for sharing the detailed video take care and god bless
Excellent work! You are very talented.
Inspiring! All I've done is basic oil changes and brake work. I have an 81 380SL ready for some love, so thank you for giving me hope I can get my hands dirty and enjoy the car and restoration process. Thanks!
You've done an absolutely amazing job here, well done. You have made me realise there is nothing I can't tackle on my '98 R129
Truly amazing. You inspired me to properly restore my w116. Regards from Quito, Ecuador.
Bravo!! Well done and very inspirational.
This car has us hooked - I’m heading in the same direction as you have with this car amazing the effort and work done
Really nice job thanks for the Video post 👍
This is AMAZING, one of the best detailed videos of a magnificent restoration. You rock mate, and the final closing messages are truly inspiring! Beautiful outcome and I can imagine that you enjoyed those 3000 hours well invested
Awesome work! I enjoyed watching your 'journey' immensely and picked up lots of tips as well. Really good of you to document your work and post it up here! If I could shake your hand and buy you a beer i would and hopefully will have the chance someday. Well done indeed sir!
Lots of work! Amazing!
Amazing job. Thank you for sharing this video.
Great work and result is fantastic! I had the same 450sl model in blue as well; and had almost exactly the same type of faults and corrosion yours showed but ultimately the bulkhead had rotted badly on mine so I ended up selling it on. Enjoyed this video!
Awesome work done, now that car looks like a new car,👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Long video, but watched all without skipping it!
great job!!!
Wow! What an amazing job!!!
Wow !!! The amount of labour is a witness to your passion. Congratulations on a superb SL.
Ride it with pride of your hard work !
Absolutely wonderful job
Great job! Cant believe someone would give this a thumbs down, probably the text to speech part, because the rest was great. I have restored many cars, motorcycles and machine tools, I felt for you every time I was a before repair pic knowing how much work it was to fix
It’s Gorgeous and well done on the restoration
Amazing and well done chronological video... It is been an inspiration to me.
i loved watching your video, thanks so much for your dedication to this old SL, your work is decplined and more qualified than some so called professionals. Its amazing what comes to leight with these cars, in my own case after a engine rebuild and complete body restoration to my loved Jag MK2 3.8 it was stolen in NL a year ago without a trace.
This is an awesome video, very good work.
Hi Gunny, your were the inspiration for me to get into painting, thanks for all your fantastic videos. I couldn't have done it without you!
Great video!
amazing story! What passion!
Congratulations RD on a comprehensive restoration much respect from QLD Australia,..Currumbin SL
Super impressive work - well done !! Car looks amazing.
Thank you for sharing your experience. Very inspirational!
Danke für die Einblicke und Impressionen!
Absolutely great job!
thank you for the lovely video ...man you are a amazing you are a super man woowwwww fantastic job ...enjoy every minute of drive ...you deserve it
A masterful job....
Amazing job on this, I have a 1975 450sl that's in really good condition and I've done enough of the work myself to appreciate the time and effort you put into this restoration. My bigger question is if you are still married and if so, please let your wife know she's very unusual. My wife is driving me crazy over my restoration. Also, I have to replace the oil pan gasket so seeing your info on the front frame drop will be a big help. THANKS!
Such a beautiful car and beautiful restoration. Your story and especially the end quote inspired me to get on and finish my 450sl project. Thank you very much. (By the way I love that color so much, such and awesome car)
Awesome transformation 👆👏🏿👌👍☝🏽
Super job. Dont know if I can do that. But trying my best on a 560sl. Looking better everyday.
I loved this thread on the Mercedes forum Jim. I thought about it today and stumbled across this video 😀 you fancy rejoining the club? Your Input was epic. Hope you are well and enjoying the amazing work you’ve done on the car.
Thanks! Watch out for another video next year. I am contemplating pulling the engine out this winter to respray the engine bay and will strip and rebuild the engine before putting it all back together.
More than a restoration Was a nightmare 😂..i’m kidding.. congratulation for your work...
I’m probably going to end up doing the same to my 380SL. It’s rather solid but will need a refreshening
That’s amazing work!
Amazing work
I'm blown away! I have massive admiration for the work you have done. I have been through a long process with my 1980 350SL. So many similarities on the known design faults! How on earth did you mask the hub caps? It looked like you had a template to cover the Mercedes badge? Did you just mask up the remainder of the hub caps by hand without a template? You have more patience than me and I admire the fact you have self taught. Hats off to you!!
Man your video brings back painful memories of my current 280SL restoration started a mere two years ago. Car looked fine when I bought it, but as you peel back the layers, the horrors reveal themselves. I have a 450SL sitting in a field awaiting attention. Your video reminded me just how much work is involved. It would be really great if you did a follow up on cost. eg how much did you spend on paint, primer and clear coat etc. How much did you spend on parts...did you wife stop talking to you etc etc. Mike
Hi, I didn't keep a tally of the costs as the years passed but did keep all the receipts. Once complete I guessed that I had spent about £6k or £7k, it turned out to be double that, the details on the paint will be in the pdf, but I would guess ~£500 or less? Detailed spending sheet here www.racediagnostics.com/misc/Costs.pdf
One other thing, if I had just spent the original car purchase cost plus the £14 in parts back 10 years ago, I could have bought a very good car (not so much now, prices have gone up a lot) but then I wouldn't have had the three thousand hours of fun for free.
Woooow wooooow woooow all the best u dd to good job i love these car u maket look to good 👍👍👌
Incredible. 10/10
Truly amazing job,! 👏👏👏👏🇬🇧
Awesome restoration, of the car, at least you got the car, to keep on going and going, plus that blue color adds, a nice touch to the car, is that the original color, also was the air conditioning retrofitted with the new R-134 refrigerant, since the one that used to.be used is banned from being used.
Hi, yes, blue is the original colour, no aircon fitted.
@@racediagnostics nice color, you don*t see many Mercedes 450SL R107 with that color, I am surprised you put the steel rims with hubcaps, nice touch, considering that most had the alloy wheels, if you come by some nice alloys, they would also add a nice touch the original 14 inch alloys, but those hubcaps,add a touch of class,elegance to the 450 SL, the alloys I am talking about would add that sporty look to that car, 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽
Nice job. I do know how huge job all this is.
Respect for this job
Unbelievable think ya a mercedes fan very well done and described
As the young folks say "Dude!, u got mad skillz!" Great job on the restoration and for learning how to do all the steps on the way. that is quite an accomplishment. My advice to you is to never sell that car. The sweat equity work you put in alone is worth $50 grand at least in my opinion.
Very impressive mate, and possibly the only way to save a car like that unless you are a millionaire (3000 hours of a professional mechanic's time would be a tad pricy!). It was clearly a labour of love, and you probably spent more money on parts and equipment than the car is worth, but the end result looks beautiful. Hope it is still running well!
sacred work's ...!
I had to install 4 way electric Jaguar , leather. I had to make my own control panel, and two choices in switches. Low V with relays or SPDT panel switches. Oh yes. and the seats are heated
Very nice work on what is generally considered to be a complex and difficult vehicle to restore, particularly in the UK where rust has well and truly got to most examples, though it's quite far to say that yours really wan't all that bad for one that had spent the first 30 years of its' life in the Portsmouth area, with the associated salt air from being near to the sea. I like your modification to fit the Audi TT seats, but it should be said that Recaro sports seats were a factory option in the R107 SL, as they were in most Mercedes-Benz models, though they are generally only seen in G-Wagens as factory option items in the UK...
Wow! Kudos!
Hat´s off to you. It takes skills and endurance. The TT-seats are a no-go, I´m sorry.
Perfect job
I'm working on a 1977 450sl and I as well am learning how to weld and paint my self , I'm just wondering what the exact products were because the way yours turned out is absolutely amazing and I'd really love for my car to turn out the same , reply to this comment ASAP please ! Always here :)
Hello - When you redid your brake lines do you remember whether the end fittings were bubble (DIN) flares or SAE double inverted flares? Mike
Hi Mike, they are DIN.
@@jimstuart6191 Thanks for your prompt reply- I thought that would be the case. I'm about to do a vid on brake lines and flaring so if you have any tips from your own experience, I'd be happy to share them. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars I used a tool like this one, that worked well for me. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brake-Pipe-Flaring-Tool-for-4-75-DIN-flares-Hand-held-on-car-Powerhand-BFT-475/171616284265?hash=item27f520ae69:g:I14AAOSwT6pV5LDo
Fantastic
This is an amazing story. I just wish I had the energy, drive, and skills to do an R107 restoration like you did.
My two R107s are basically rust free and the paint and appearance excellent ... but not as nice as your 450SL.
You've got an "heirloom" to pass on to the next generation.
I like those TT seats a lot. Exactly where did you find them?
Well done respect to you sir
Hi - just watched your restoration video again and wonder if you can tell me:
1. Did you use any particular brand of epoxy primer?
2. Did you ever use any weld through primer or etch primer?
3. What did you use to prime the back of panels that couldn't be accessed after welding?
Meanwhile...Happy New Year to you and the family. Mike
Hi Mike,
1) For the underside of the car and inner wings I brushed on Jotamastic 87 (designed for ship hulls), then a rubber stone chip then 2k blue, for the outer panels I sprayed on Lechler 29107, then 2k high build primer before base and 2k clear.
2) Only on the backs of panels, mainly etch primer, that couldn't be accessed after welding.
3) As above, however I also ensured there were access holes on all chassis/box sections so I could inject with wax/oil to prevent rust. I inject Dinitrol ML every year in all enclosed sections, it is pretty runny so creeps into seams before the solvent in it evaporates to leave a waxy mess.
Happy new year and good luck
Jim
Hello Jim interesting to watch you go through the process. Could you tell me, the adhesive you used on the rubber seals. I could not pick up on the name. I bought an SL in July 2022. I was lucky no rust at all (only in the back bumper but small area and the channel where the rubber seal goes for the soft top coffin - again only surface rust) I stripped the car and immediately had the body painted, then rebuilt as you have done the front suspension, new discs and wheel bearings. But the heater on my car is like furnace there is no controlling it to keep the heating at a nice temperature, it is like driving in a blast furnace. Heaven knows which area is causing that problem (maybe the vacuum valve controlled by the switch). Stripping the hardtop was good to do to locate small leak at the rear top corner passenger side, I think due to the window not being sealed properly so that is now done. Does you car take in any rainwater in any area of the hard top?? Very much enjoyed your video - good work - regards JS
I used Upol Tiger Seal to glue in the new seals. As for the water ingress, well the car has not been out in rain since 2016. I also had a stuck on heater, it was caused by a lose vac line on the bulkhead. Good luck!
Great Job!. What about the soft top?. Did you have to work on that too?.
I have not touched it yet, undecided as to whether to do it myself or give it to an expert.
What a job, well done. Keep it going, it will run forever. I have an SL450 too (1976) and it runs great. Will be changing the carpets in the next few days, any tops?
Thank you in advance
Check the new carpet parts against the old ones before fitting to make sure they are the same shape.
What was the water pump module you fitted> PWM? .
50507-VUA - Servo Heater Valve Re-fit Kit with Control Knob and Pod
From Vintage Air.
I have a 1974 sl 450. As I see it if I spend 20 -30 k on the repairs as you did, I'll never come close to ever getting my money back. As you point out this car rusts out from the inside out. I'm afraid that most of them will disappear because of that and the fact so many have been stripped for parts. Maybe this car will become a desired rarity.
You are correct, no point restoring these cars unless you enjoy it as a hobby. For most it's cheaper and easier to buy one in good condition.
Amazing
Amazing job - complete respect. And you learned to weld and paint - I am inspired to do likewise (well weld at least) as I am part way through a rolling restoration. Just started to strip it for a re-spay and finding rust.
I have a question - at 33 mins 26 seconds you appear to be holding a masking template for the star on the hub caps? Where can I get one of these ?
try here www.ebay.co.uk/itm/wheel-hubcap-tool-stencil-14-inch-for-Mercedes-W-107-108-109-111-113-114-115-/283155024756?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10
So jealous of this beautiful restoration. I have a 1980 450sl and want to restore it like you did. Could you send me links to the websites that you used for parts?
SLS-HH and the SLSHOP
Wow wow wow
I m restoring one very similar .Where did you got in USA parts. Thanks
I'm in the UK so got the parts here.
Top vlog ,👏👏👏👍👍🇬🇧
Hi Could you kindly let me know the spray paint you used for the centre console, as I couldn't quite hear, and I need to do mine, in red, too. Many thanks Sue
Hi, it was this paint, you will need to send them a sample of the colour you need. www.kolorbond.co.uk/vinylkote-paint-leather-vinyl
NICE
You’ve been a busy boy@
Pretty much what Im doing with my 350SLC and I was quoted often that There was nothing more expensive than a Cheap mercedes lol.
So far apart from undoing bad previous work on mine (Check my UA-cam for snippets) its been positive if not time consuming.
Hi good job, where did you resilver the reflectors? Do you have an adress or url
It was this place I got them done www.scheinwerferklinik-ug.de/?ql_services=reflektor-neu-verspiegelung
racediagnostics tanks, I Will contact them
I’ would replace the steel wheels with Alu wheels. Everything else looks perfect
My 1980 450sl has lots of rust bubble spots as well. I wonder if it has something to do with that car
L