Restoration Project

[jimmy]

I have just finished restoring/rebuilding a mechanical digger and once it is sold I will be looking for another project. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

I was thinking of a Land Rover SWB series II or III but then a friend offered me a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II at a very tempting price. The Landie would be easier for me as it is more agricultural <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> , the Rolls would be a bit more ambituos and costly though. Although I have been driving it a lot recently and it is dream to drive, 6.75 litres of V8 power  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbs:'>  <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> , but very little brakes at the moment <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':0'>

Anyway, I was wondering if there was a particular model of MB that would make an affordable and relatively easy restoration project.

I would like to do the job, run the vehicle for a while then move it on and hopefully make some money and start again. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbs:'>

What do you think, Landie, Rolls, MB or a tractor?

 

[Simon]

I have never heard of anyone restoring/rebuilding a mechanical digger. Can we have a look at a pic?

Will it be used for working on older houses <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

Dare to be different, go for the Rolls.

 

[GrahamC230K]

I vote for Landie or Tractor.

 

[fuzzer]

Restore somthing you can make a few quid once its finished. Like an 280sl .. &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'> &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/banana.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':bannana:'>

 

[jimmy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Black180 @ Nov. 01 2002,13:57)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I have never heard of anyone restoring/rebuilding a mechanical digger. Can we have a look at a pic?

Will it be used for working on older houses <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

Dare to be different, go for the Rolls.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Perhaps I should have put repairing/rebuilding?

I had to completely strip it to repair the slew ring and motor and lots of other bits too. &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

Now you did ask for this: <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Brian WH]

Looks a bit thirsty to me, what does it do to the gallon?

Seriously the Rolls sounds more inviting if the &quot;Price is right&quot; and the parts needed are accessable and cheap.

A MB is only as good again as: -
Sale Price - Price you pay + Repairs = Profit + Enjoyment doing it

 

[Simon]

Cool, I always wanted a go on something like that. Next GTG at yours Jimmy?

 

[Maff]

Ahh, a Kubota. That's what I'm driving most of the day tomorrow.

A few years ago I drove the new shape/series of Kubota's in a demonstration to the public at that big agricultural show near milton keynes.

I drove diggers before I drove cars!

<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Guy]

No wonder it needed a restoration.

Its been used to level everything all the way to the horizon.

 

[jimmy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Looks a bit thirsty to me, what does it do to the gallon?
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

It is actually very good on fuel, it has a Kubota 3 cyl diesel engine producing around 35Hp. It will work hard for several days on 5 gallons. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Cool, I always wanted a go on something like that. Next GTG at yours Jimmy?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

It's for sale if anyone is interested, you could play all day long on it then. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbs:'>

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Ahh, a Kubota. That's what I'm driving most of the day tomorrow.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Great, what are you doing then? You know a bit about diggers, boys and their toys. I find it quite theraputic after a hard week at work to go and dig some holes and then fill them in again. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':laugh:'>

 

[Mark300SL]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (jimmy @ Nov. 01 2002,11:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I was thinking of a Land Rover SWB series II or III but then a friend offered me a Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II at a very tempting price.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Jimmy

Rollers can be an absolute nightmare! If its just brakes and a few ball joints - then go for it!

I realise that you are trade and will get a good deal on most parts - but RR parts are very expensive.

If you go for it - check

1. Electrics - Make sure absolutely everything works
2. Bodywork - there is no such thing as a cheap RR paintjob! - even friends will charge serious money to paint a car perfectly!
3. Aircon - Mega expensive if it needs certain parts!
4. Seat Motors - Bitch if the prospective buyer cant drive it !
3. Like an SL - the wrong car will never sell at anything like decent money unless its mint and FSH!


Now the good bits -
1. The engines are almost unburstable
2. the gearboxes do go - but they tend to be B/W or GM TH 400's - so easy to repair
3. A nice one will always sell

Mark
who learned the hard way that a £5000 RR may not be a bargain!

 

[Maff]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (jimmy @ Nov. 01 2002,21:01)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Great, what are you doing then? You know a bit about diggers, boys and their toys. I find it quite theraputic after a hard week at work to go and dig some holes and then fill them in again. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':laugh:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Just digging in some fibre optic for BT ( they charge to much, so i'm doing it myself! ) Only about 90 meters in all.

I drove many JCB's and Kubota's before I started my technical profession!

 

[jimmy]

Mark,

I could have the choice of two RR's the bloke has a matching pair of Silver Shadows. One is mechanically better than the other but is slightly tatty on the bodywork and interior. I would probably go for the tidy one as I prefer mechanical work to bodywork.

From what I can gather parts are expensive and hard to get, we only stock brake pads as nothing else is available. Interesting that they have twin calipers on the front, four pads on each wheel.

They run lovely and sound awesome, one has a stainless exhaust that makes it sound rather throaty. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> &nbsp;

I am just worried that a 20 year old car costing around £5k could turn into a bottomless pit. I have spotted a SWB landrover that would be an easy though not very exciting project that could be had for £500.

I am not particularly passionate about any brand, make or model, I would like something to tinker with in the evenings.

What would an SL cost? Which model/engine size would be the best to go for and are parts available at a reasonable cost?

Thanks guys, very interesting.

 

[jimmy]

I sold the Kubota yesterday. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbs:'>

A chap rang up yesterday at 7:30am, travelled up from the Isle of White and bought it. Have had quite a few calls from the advert, makes me wonder if I was not asking enough for it.

I have just got another piece of equipment to sell and I can start looking for another project. <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Richard W]

I'd go for the LR - navigated on Competitive Safaris (now known as Hill Rallies) for a guy who had a 1959 S1 with a 200bhp V8...... mega fun!

This thing was completely standard from the outside except for the cage over the cab and 101&quot; wheels, definate Q-car - it would trounce hot hatches.

As an aside they were all abit LR bonkers in the family &nbsp;<img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> &nbsp;his brother went on to build a 2wd S1 with V8 power, jag rear end etc etc - the beast would do 13 sec 1/4 mile!!!!! <img src="http://www.mbclub.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/devil.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

 

[Simon]

Jimmy, look what I've found for you.Ebay

 

[GrahamC230K]

99% done, my &rse.