SL/R107: 1972 R107
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,498
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
1972 R107
i've been offered a 1972 SL
haven't seen it yet, but supposed to be in showroom condition with one major flaw:
floor panels are beginning to rust, due to exposure to humidity.
Otherwise, body panels, bumpers, wheel wells, trunk, hood, doors, etc are in pristine condition. All original. Original shiny bright paint, original leather interior.
What should i be looking for in terms of floor pan condition ????
is this something that can be replaced ? how big of a job would it be ?
and what kind of costs would I be looking at in restoring the floor pan to new ?
I know it kinda depends on the amount of rust, but I'm being told it is minimal but it is there.
any suggestions / tips / or answers to my above questions would be greatly appreciated !
I will try to post a pic, when I take a look at the car next week.
Thanks !
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
haven't seen it yet, but supposed to be in showroom condition with one major flaw:
floor panels are beginning to rust, due to exposure to humidity.
Otherwise, body panels, bumpers, wheel wells, trunk, hood, doors, etc are in pristine condition. All original. Original shiny bright paint, original leather interior.
What should i be looking for in terms of floor pan condition ????
is this something that can be replaced ? how big of a job would it be ?
and what kind of costs would I be looking at in restoring the floor pan to new ?
I know it kinda depends on the amount of rust, but I'm being told it is minimal but it is there.
any suggestions / tips / or answers to my above questions would be greatly appreciated !
I will try to post a pic, when I take a look at the car next week.
Thanks !
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: NE Alabama
1988 560SL
http://www.kkmfg.com./asp/catalogs.asp
If you had to replce the floor panels, he above site has them at relatively reasonable price. If it is rust thru in small areas, you can repair fairly easily by cutting out and piecing in metal... As long as the structural sills are not involved, I would not be too concerned. The problem with the older Sls is there was not any rustproofing tospeak of. If you have a litle rust, you probably have a lot more. Look in the trunk, rocker panels, convertible top well, and the usual wheel/fender areas.
Good luck with your find... Hope it works out.
If you had to replce the floor panels, he above site has them at relatively reasonable price. If it is rust thru in small areas, you can repair fairly easily by cutting out and piecing in metal... As long as the structural sills are not involved, I would not be too concerned. The problem with the older Sls is there was not any rustproofing tospeak of. If you have a litle rust, you probably have a lot more. Look in the trunk, rocker panels, convertible top well, and the usual wheel/fender areas.
Good luck with your find... Hope it works out.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,498
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
thanks for the good info...
the second owner of the SL (for 14 years) assures me that there is no other rust in the trunk, rocker panels, convertible top well, or wheel/fender areas. I will be taking a close inspection later this week. Apparently the rust is just beginning to appear on the floor panels, so it shouldn't be affecting the structure sills just yet. If this is the case, then your suggestion to cut out and re-piece in metal should work.
My only concern is that this work is noticeable by a trained eye, and would then un-deem the car as a true unrestored stock. No worries though....
again, thanks and will keep you posted on what I find out.
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
the second owner of the SL (for 14 years) assures me that there is no other rust in the trunk, rocker panels, convertible top well, or wheel/fender areas. I will be taking a close inspection later this week. Apparently the rust is just beginning to appear on the floor panels, so it shouldn't be affecting the structure sills just yet. If this is the case, then your suggestion to cut out and re-piece in metal should work.
My only concern is that this work is noticeable by a trained eye, and would then un-deem the car as a true unrestored stock. No worries though....
again, thanks and will keep you posted on what I find out.
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: NE Alabama
1988 560SL
If the rust is not thru, I would not cut out and replace... Perhaps a good treatment of rust preventative and a spray of seal will fix it right up.
Be sure to "tap" the sills (the threshold of the door)... The scuff pad can hide rust there.
Is it a US spec car, or euro? Also, is it badged a 450, or 350? Just curious...
Good luck... It just may be a NICE find!
Be sure to "tap" the sills (the threshold of the door)... The scuff pad can hide rust there.
Is it a US spec car, or euro? Also, is it badged a 450, or 350? Just curious...
Good luck... It just may be a NICE find!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,498
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
just got updated that it is a 1973, not 1972,
and its a 450 SL with Euro Bumpers.
comes with a soft top and a hard top
original radio
original steel wheels
thanks for the info on the door sills... will check that too.
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
and its a 450 SL with Euro Bumpers.
comes with a soft top and a hard top
original radio
original steel wheels
thanks for the info on the door sills... will check that too.
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: NE Alabama
1988 560SL
Post back, with pics when you can. The 450, as you know, has a cast-iron, indestructible V8, with as much HP and Torque (nearly) as the later model 560... After 1974; however, the hp and torque plummeted as the enviro-controls were added. Watch out for the cat conv, if equipped. I can't remember, but a couple of the early 70's 450s had the cats mounted on the exhaust manifolds (which turned the engine bay into a right nice oven).
Does it have the rect. headlights? If so, it might be a privately imported EURO-spec 450. If it is, there will be a vacuum control, next to the headlight switch, which remotely adjusted the headlight aiming... I don't think it adds any real value above a US spec car, but it may not have the smog equip!
Does it have the rect. headlights? If so, it might be a privately imported EURO-spec 450. If it is, there will be a vacuum control, next to the headlight switch, which remotely adjusted the headlight aiming... I don't think it adds any real value above a US spec car, but it may not have the smog equip!
