New acquisition

[219]

Here are a few pics of my latest acquisition . It will make a nice stablemate for my Ponton , although this car needs a lot more work than the other one . I always wanted one of these as I grew up with a Fintail as the family car - my dad bought his new in 1964 and we had it until the early '70s . They're not so easy to come by now , so you've got to snap them up when you get the chance .

Although there's a fair bit of work required , the car did come with new front wings , bootlid and lots of other spares . I still have to go back and collect these parts together with the front bumper etc. The car is basically sound , everything works ; it does start & drive , has had a lot spent on it and was last on the road in 2000 .

I need to order new inner wings , front crossmember(to replace the Heath-Robinson one fitted by a previous owner) , drivers footwell floor & boot floor but all these panels are available from SLS and are not expensive .

The BIG question is - what colour should it be ? I don't like the bland grey , and the new colour will have to be from the original catalogue of the time . Given the red & black interior , I'm thinking either black or bright red ; white is an outside possibility but I reckon a dark colour will accentuate the chrome which is a strong styling feature on these cars .

What do you think ?

 

[lotusmark2]

Very nice, love the retro interior, really does it for me!

What is the parts availability like on it?

 

[Rose Chap]

Very nice indeed. I think you should paint it black, as a glossy black classic with a red leather interior would look very classy, not to mention preserving a degree of historical accuracy.

Going to retrofit COMAND?

 

[reflexboy]

It's gotta be black! It will look the nu*s with lovely shiny chrome against glossy black. Good luck with the project.

 

[grober]

I reckon you want to go for a dark pastel metallic in a natural shade. Its a mistake to paint that vintage of car in a bright modern metallic since the 2 just dont go together. Normally I dont like the "browns" or "greens" but they do suit cars of that age. I am thinking bornite ,or malachite , impala brown or even anthracite grey. Would be nice to see a manufacturers colour chart for that model. love that vertical speedo!

 

[219]

Very nice, love the retro interior, really does it for me!

What is the parts availability like on it?

Yes , interior isn't bad

Will need a new set of carpets (probably in black) - available from DB Depot .

Most body panels are still available from Merc (at a price) or from others like SLS or DB Depot . Niemollers are another big specialist in Germany .

You can get EVERYTHING , down to the last nut and bolt , much as you can for your Moggie , any MG or a VW beetle - there are so many specialists over in Germany .

The first part of the project , for me , will be to cut out the rotten parts and replace them before it spreads any further .

Still torn between high gloss black or a deep high gloss red , like my Ponton - tempted to have both cars the same colour .

Either way , I won't have any spare cash to throw at it until the new year , once I've got the festive season behind me . The next few weeks will be spent going over the car , finding things that need done , fixing minor faults and so forth .

Oil change and fresh coolant will be a priority as I don't know when they were last done .

 

[219]

Would be nice to see a manufacturers colour chart for that model.

Whatever colour I choose , it will have to be from the original colour chart . Shown here -

http://www.heckflosse.nl/excol4.htm

I'm looking at either Medium Red , same as my Ponton (DB516) or Black (DB040) , both of which were original colours and can still be obtained in the original synthetic enamel paint .

 

[jay73]

it would have to be ivory for me, black is such a bitch to keep clean and shows up all imperfections... red's are best left for punto driving chav's from essex !

 

[BTB 500]

Passed one of these on the M40 on Sunday evening, a pretty rare sight!

 

[glojo]

I would go for one of the very light colours.

This car has not got air conditioning and in climates that see the sun very dark colours make the interior very hot indeedy deed. Plus the lighter colours are easier to keep clean!

This is coming from someone that much prefers darker coloured cars

I am looking forward to seeing regular updates on the progress of this restoration.

Good luck,
John

 

[fuzzer]

creme would look very nice with the red interior.

 

[Shude]

This car has not got air conditioning and in climates that see the sun very dark colours make the interior very hot indeedy deed. Plus the lighter colours are easier to keep clean!

Black radiates heat better in both directions, so it also cools faster. Think about what colour the "orthodox" muslim outfits are and how about those shiny reflective "survival" blankets used at the london marathon?

I think a pearl white or cream colour would look perfect! Steve K (aka MBenzNL) has a 60s fintail in his garage (belongs to his Father) and I saw it stripped to the shell, painted the taxi-beige colour. Looked amazing!

 

[BTB 500]

Black radiates heat better in both directions, so it also cools faster.

A black car in direct sunlight heats up rapidly. Many composite aircraft (gliders etc.) have strict rules about use of coloured trim on the otherwise all-white finish, because the localised heating it causes can weaken (soften) the structure.

 

[219]

White or Cream is another colour I'm considering : red leather interior with white exterior was always a classic Merc combination . I do have fond memories of my dad's red Fintail (with cream tex interior) and my reccollection is that it looked very nice in that colour .

However , a LOT of work will have to be done before I worry too much about details like colours .

The car will be spending most of its time in sunny Scotland so I don't feel that heat build up will be such a big problem . I will keep my eyes open for a full length Webasto sunroof , like the one on my Ponton , they were an option at the time and do give all the 'airiness' of a convertible , but without the draughts as you have windows all round - best of both worlds really . I don't mind cutting a hole in the roof before the car is painted , and the sunroof frame actually adds more strength than the hole takes away .

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Wow. I'd love to embark on such a project - sadly I'm just not handy enough.

Arabian Grey gets my vote, but there is a certain appeal in having a matching colour scheme with your Ponton.

 

[glojo]

Black radiates heat better in both directions, so it also cools faster. Think about what colour the "orthodox" muslim outfits are and how about those shiny reflective "survival" blankets used at the london marathon? !

I would simply say that on a hot, sunny day, plonk your bare backside on a nice shiny black painted car!!!! (the car must be parked in the direct sun) Then when you have got over the shock!! sit on a nice cool white one.

I can recall many years ago an intersting but sad article over the Metropolitan Police dog vans. These vans were all painted dark green but one particularly hot summer saw the loss of some police dogs that died as a direct result of all the problems we are discussing. ALL Police dog vans were resprayed white and I believe that is still the case??


John

 

[Shude]

ALL Police dog vans were resprayed white and I believe that is still the case??

Also all *other* police cars (marked) with the recent exception of silver, also ambulances, doctors, traffic patrol officers, builders, plumbers, roofers and practically everyone who wants their vehicle to stand out. What's your point?

I have travelled the Middle East and have always been confused as to why some folks dress in black, or other dark clothing at the height of the very hot day?

Just think about it: they've been wearing black outfits all day in the blistering heat for centuries. WHY?

There's something for you to ponder

 

[glojo]

Also all *other* police cars (marked) with the recent exception of silver, also ambulances, doctors, traffic patrol officers, builders, plumbers, roofers and practically everyone who wants their vehicle to stand out. What's your point?

Just think about it: they've been wearing black outfits all day in the blistering heat for centuries. WHY?

There's something for you to ponder

Your dragging me way off topic. I deleted that last paragraph to try and keep things on topic, but was clearly too slow.

I take onboard what your saying and can only put it down to...... 'weird!' Have you noticed though that the more influential, traditionally dressed usually wear white clothing!

John

 

[w114-Dan]

got to be black.

what hapopened on the tops of the front wirngs? looks like someone has rubbed them back and then given up?

 

[Brian WH]

Surely if it is to be a True rebuild it should be repainted in the Original Registered Colours???