Mercedes W114 250 Coupe - help!

[Charles Morgan]

One of my neighbours, a retired mechanic, has a 1968 250 W114 Coupe in his garage that he has been restoring but he's now too old and is looking to see it go to a new home. I saw it today, it is sound, all the parts bar the front wings are there (they had been replaced by pattern parts which rusted), bodywork sound with superficial rust, new inner wings, interior dusty with trim off but sound - lovely Zebrano - paint job (white) is poor so would have to be done. He's kept the engine with oil and turns it regularly.

He's not looking for anything for it but wants it to go to a good home. I could take it, but I know it will be something beyond my skills and to pay labour would kill the economics - I really don't know the market well but I'd struggle to see a value above £10k, which is what I think it might cost without any real difficulty.

I offered to help him find it a home, he's a lovely old chap with a real passion for cars, but has no real energy to get it gone, so won't be keen on endless tyre kickers (and too many time wasters if giving stuff away).

Anybody any thoughts?

 

[grober]

This one advertised on Car and Classic for restoration [LHD incidentally] at £3950. Not one of Paul Paul Bracq's best imho.

 

[dinoy]

i sold one recently for 2k needing work but had short mot

 

[Charles Morgan]

I think I shall see how far away from running the car is, always easier to have a plan if the car is a known runner.

I have a real soft spot for a W114 as it was the first Mercedes I'd ever been in. I love the old school steering wheel and zebrano dash, those boxy lines are growing on me.

 

[MCFastybloke]

I love these old coupes,just no garage space left.

 

[dinoy]

if it ok a runner and with mot my friend is willing to do a swap he can offer ml 320 lpg cabrio (lamella working roof)
or
no plate from collection
or
w124 convertible but cash my friends way or the car must be a stunner for str8 swap

but in all cases car must have mot as the ones on offer will come with mots

 

[Spin_bowler]

if it ok a runner and with mot my friend is willing to do a swap he can offer ml 320 lpg cabrio (lamella working roof)
or
no plate from collection
or
w124 convertible but cash my friends way or the car must be a stunner for str8 swap

but in all cases car must have mot as the ones on offer will come with mots

I think he's offering to give it away, given the content of the OP it doesn't sound like he needs a swapper.

 

[dinoy]

oh i c if he is giving away my friend can join a list collect and rebuild but i am sure he is expecting monies his way

 

[219]

This one advertised on Car and Classic for restoration [LHD incidentally] at £3950. Not one of Paul Paul Bracq's best imho.

Pity about the horrible American headlamps and running lights in the wings .

 

[Charles Morgan]

Are there any good W114 sites?

 

[noy91]

Are there any good W114 sites?

/8-dokumentacja Is the only one that comes to mind, and has some useful info for working on them.

Eight years old now, so the market may have changed, but a good general overview: Buyer's Guide: W114/115 - Mercedes-Benz Forum

This may actually be just the hobby project a friend is looking for, so will pass the details on.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Update - a number of you have been in touch, for which many thanks.

I asked Tony the owner to give it a bit of a clean as like all old cars (especially white ones) being covered in 20 years of dust (that's how long he's had it in the garage) it looked far worse than it actually was.

As I can resist everything except temptation, this was a bad move. I have an immense affection for the W114 as it was in a W114 280E that I lost my Mercedes virginity - being driven in one at 130 mph down the Autostrada from Rome at the age of 11 by a friend of my father's German Colonel friend has rather stuck in my mind.

Add in being plied with home made mince pies (with almonds and sherry), the desire to own a proper old Merc and I have indicated I'll take over storing and restoring it. I really hadn't intended this when I posted this thread!

Apart from wings it has everything. I've just spent the afternoon polishing the radiator grill. I'm a sucker for chrome...(all of which is there in good nick). Apologies to all.

 

[DSM10000]

Having such a memorable connection as you have it is surely fate that the opportunity has been laid before you?

If you can bring the rest of the car to the same standard as you have achieved with your efforts of today then you will truly have a remarkable and cherished car to enjoy.

Well done that man!

 

[Charles Morgan]

The driver even had my first name - Karl (well Karl-Heinz). He was nuts - he missed the turning to Ostia because of our speed so did a U turn across the central section of the autostrada.

The car was a mid blue saloon with black MB tex and ice cool air-con. I had never been either that fast, in a Merc or in a car with air-con. Sure beat my Mother's Fiat 126!

Meanwhile, the odds on me screwing it up are considerably tighter than a successful outcome...

 

[Deleted member 37751]

This threads like offering someone the chance to spend the night with Megan Fox and then deciding to award themselves the prize!

 

[Charles Morgan]

Who's she?

 

[trapperjohn]

Love that radiator grill, truly superb.

 

[Charles Morgan]

I'm pleased with that. Snow foamed it, then after rinsing, cleaned all the individual cells of the grill with a cloth wrapped around a pencil. Then autosol chrome cleaner until all tarnish had gone (reasonable quantity of pitting from stone chips), then sealed with Hi-temp paste wax.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

I'm pleased with that. Snow foamed it, then after rinsing, cleaned all the individual cells of the grill with a cloth wrapped around a pencil. Then autosol chrome cleaner until all tarnish had gone (reasonable quantity of pitting from stone chips), then sealed with Hi-temp paste wax.

Wow,
Looks lovely, what a great project this will be looking forward to seeing more of the W114

 

[Charles Morgan]

Deal done - he liked the cut of my jib from the radiator grill polishing, which he popped back over with a full Mercedes M110 service manual to say I think this is yours.

Mechanic friend of his coming in next week to get the car ready to move. It's in a garage at the back of the house opening onto a rutted, narrow and twisty back lane. I think this might be fun. Time to clear some space in my garage too!

A few images to tantalise: