Went to see that 280SE for Ed. Nice car. Sorry you are not going to
get it Ed. I am going to scrounge $1k someplace and beat you to it.
Not really. she is no Gump, but a perfect car for the person who wants
to do a restoration to concourse condition. Not a deal killer anywhere
on the car. A bunch of original everyplace you looked and it has not
been boogered up. No accident damage, no excessive wear for the age.
List of the bad things --
--Noisy valves, some time with a wrench to adjust will take care of
that.
--Hazard switch is not working well, so blinkers pooped
--Climate Control levers busted, but the blower works
--Underdash AC is missing, is plumbed for AC with York Compressor
--Missing the rear seat carpets, fronts are complete and good shape.
--No spare tire, tool kit, or first Aid kit. Tire iron and jack are
there.
--Battery tuckered out, it did start the car, but not able to do it
twice. Does charge, need to replace with side contacts instead of top
(too tall)
--Rear window seal may leak into the trunk, there was dampness in the
trunk and condensation on the rear window
--retread tires in good shape, enough to get to Indiana, all 4 hubcaps
present
--minor rust through pin holes under rear bumper. Wire wheel and
POR-15 would solve that
--Stalk shifter is balky and the indicator does not work. Once in gear
it shifted well for old automatic. Trans fluid was not burnt. All
gears work (PRN3)
--Clock not working
--Radio not installed, antenna is there and looks great
--Original hoses will need replacement along with belts and fuses/fluids
--Original door seals are aging, as is the trunk. Rusty has these
part, though these are still functional at reducing water intrusion
--splotchy paint where some rust removal took place on painted surface.
Only other rust is slight surface scratches
--Low a quart or more oil, but no visible leaks in tranny or oil pan.
No obvious smoke on start or while running.
--Pass rear door handle coming off, all others attached firmly
The Good Stuff--
--Cool Kangol airliner seat belts, three point in front
-Dual armrests in front seats
--Wood is old but otherwise great shape with no cracks in dash or wood
--Lights work all around and no cracks in lenses at back/side, minor in
front
--MB Tex is in great shape and seats are solid with springs and pads
stiff
--Horn works, pad is good and no cracks in the bakelite steering wheel
--All glass is complete and no nicks, dings or cracks, all windows work
--Sheet metal is solid with no bondo or rust through patching
--side view mirror is in superb condition
--Exhaust is tucked close to the underside and no rust/leaks
-- All doors lock (manual)
--Buckets of power when floored, stops with slight brake pressure, no
need to stomp
--Steering was not too tight, and paired with the shocks gave no
feeling of drift on turns (PS works)
--No mold or mildew smells in the cabin or standing water from possible
leaks
Conclusions--
**Older car with standard wear for age, not been restored or screwed
with, so VERY ORIGINAL condition all around. Perfect to either
continue as daily driver or to give a full overhaul and turn into a
show car. Rusty and Kaleb can provide all upgrades the car needs in
future. I would take it to mechanic to check that there are no hidden
issues other than new fluids all around and fuses. Oil bath airfilter,
and I did not see or hear issues with carbs or missing cylinder. Not
original distributor cap. May want fresh wires and plugs if I were
driving to Indiana
For the price, I would be a fool to pass this up if I wanted a 108
Just my $0.02
--
Clay
Seattle Bioburner
1972 220D - Gump
1995 E300D - Cleo
1987 300SDL - POS - DOA
The FSM would drive a Diesel Benz
