Well done... never thought it would be ready for this summer! if we get one in between the thunder storms.
So, I bought a R107 :)
- Thread starter SilverSaloon
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SilverSaloon
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- 1994 W124 E300D Estate, 1985 R107 280SL
I took it to the scottish meet (see events section for some pics) this weekend. apart from a mile run around my house it was its 1st trip out. i rushed the polishing to make the meet so the paintwork on the wings wasnt flattened but thats sorted now. i also didnt get the chance to do any servicing work on it. i have oil, plugs, dist cap etc ordered to fit later this week.
Jay - are you going to the official-club's SL rally at Castle Howard next weekend?
Jay - are you going to the official-club's SL rally at Castle Howard next weekend?
Hi SS,
No im afraid having a 7 day business means i cant get to these events easily. Would love to though, my SL is crying for a good run out.
Not sure about the weather though!
No im afraid having a 7 day business means i cant get to these events easily. Would love to though, my SL is crying for a good run out.
Not sure about the weather though!
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SilverSaloon
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i know.... if its going to be really bad i'm in two minds whether to go or not. taking the SL out in the rain isnt something i want to do really, after all that work i've put in!!! its a long way for me aswell so i'm staying overnight so if it doesn storm the SL will be out in the cold/wet all night.
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SilverSaloon
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yeah, on the face of it the car doesnt look all that different than it did before. most of the work is underneath (ie inner arches, sills, behind chrome, bumpers etc). the main red bodywork is just a small part of the stuff done.
i also have fully working headlamp washwipe - i think out of everything getting that working was the most satisfying. i doubt i'll use it too much though!!
i also have fully working headlamp washwipe - i think out of everything getting that working was the most satisfying. i doubt i'll use it too much though!!
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A great job very well done, congratulations and now enjoy your car.
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SilverSaloon
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thanks. its by no means finished.... half of it i've not touched upon yet. there is still loads left to do. apart from the bumper, the rear of the car is untouched, or had a quick touch up to fix bubbly rust - my aim eventually will be to weld in new metal in theese areas. the interior could do with a full leather trim
its never been my aim to have a concours car, which it isnt - no where near. and never will be.
my aim is purly to have a nice looking SL. it will always have plenty of faults i feel. if i went for anything more, i'd drive myself crazy and is probably out of my budget and knowledge.
its never been my aim to have a concours car, which it isnt - no where near. and never will be.
my aim is purly to have a nice looking SL. it will always have plenty of faults i feel. if i went for anything more, i'd drive myself crazy and is probably out of my budget and knowledge.
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SilverSaloon
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woohoo! SL has today passed its MOT with flying colours :bannana:
I trust you did not take it to the guys who did the Alfa ...
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SilverSaloon
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- 1994 W124 E300D Estate, 1985 R107 280SL
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SilverSaloon
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- 1994 W124 E300D Estate, 1985 R107 280SL
Since putting the SL on the road and using it as often as the sun shines, I've had to do a couple of jobs to the car.
I replaced all spark plugs, rotor arm & distributor cap. I also cleaned the spark plug area of all the gunk that collects there and also cleaned up and inspected the HT leads. An oil and filter change was also done.
I had to replace the exhaust collector pipe after my repair failed on the way to the national SL Rally. This meant the car sounded like a tractor. A replacement collector pipe fixed the issue, but annoyed me as it was what I should have done in the 1st place.
Secondly, a few weeks ago the radiator burst on me. I knew it was bad but was hoping it would hold out until when the car is declared SORN over the winter and I planned to fix it then, but my hand was forced. Work for this can be seen here:
Mercedes R107 SL Restoration: Radiator Renovation
Apart from that, I've been enjoying the car. Hopefully we will get some more decent days in October!
I replaced all spark plugs, rotor arm & distributor cap. I also cleaned the spark plug area of all the gunk that collects there and also cleaned up and inspected the HT leads. An oil and filter change was also done.
I had to replace the exhaust collector pipe after my repair failed on the way to the national SL Rally. This meant the car sounded like a tractor. A replacement collector pipe fixed the issue, but annoyed me as it was what I should have done in the 1st place.
Secondly, a few weeks ago the radiator burst on me. I knew it was bad but was hoping it would hold out until when the car is declared SORN over the winter and I planned to fix it then, but my hand was forced. Work for this can be seen here:
Mercedes R107 SL Restoration: Radiator Renovation
Apart from that, I've been enjoying the car. Hopefully we will get some more decent days in October!
Last edited:
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SilverSaloon
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I'm sure I passed you at Asda's in Halbeath a few weeks ago, car looks fantastic! I love R107's! If you need any help or advice,just gimmie a shout,after owning Fiat X1/9's for years, I know a thing or 2 about rust!
Quite possible - i usually pass Asda on my way to work - there is another red & cream leather R107 around Dunfermline aswell as i've seen it twice so far. Unfortunatly both times i've been in my W124 so i didnt bother waving to the guy!
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SilverSaloon
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OK, been doing a few little jobs on the SL again as its almost time for it to return to the roads again.
I've removed the rear spoiler. This has revealed it IS RETROFITTED as the mount holes arn't perfect. Also some minor surface rust where the holes have been drilled.
I plan to fill in the holes and respray the bootlid.
Other jobs on the cards this month;
- remove spoiler and repair bootlid
- new tension cables for convertable roof
- adjust hood cover latch cable so it releases better (only just releases at the moment which is worrying)
- fit 3 point seatbelts in rear
- spray rear-quarter panel
- respray front wings as the paint match was not good last time half way through the job due to the supplier not mixing them properly.
- fix rust on rear arches
- waxoil the rear arches
I've removed the rear spoiler. This has revealed it IS RETROFITTED as the mount holes arn't perfect. Also some minor surface rust where the holes have been drilled.
I plan to fill in the holes and respray the bootlid.
Other jobs on the cards this month;
- remove spoiler and repair bootlid
- new tension cables for convertable roof
- adjust hood cover latch cable so it releases better (only just releases at the moment which is worrying)
- fit 3 point seatbelts in rear
- spray rear-quarter panel
- respray front wings as the paint match was not good last time half way through the job due to the supplier not mixing them properly.
- fix rust on rear arches
- waxoil the rear arches
That may quite possibly be the one I nearly bought out of Kinghorn garage about 10 years ago : the car was a sort of gunmetal silvery grey colour it had 60K on the odometer then and seemed in very nice condition , although had non original deep dish wheels that were not to my taste . Sadly , I could not agree on a trade in for my 300TE which I had bought there only a year earlier , so walked away from it ( probably the best move as the 380 is not the best model in the range ) .
Derek , there were different springs for the bootlid hinges according to whether or not the spoiler was fitted .
If you have the 'strong' springs to counterbalance the spoiler , then without the spoiler in place the bootlid can have a tendancy to spring up and hit you on the chin
Just beware !
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- 1984 500SL, 2007 E320 CDI Sport Estate, 1995 SL320 R129, 2005 SL350 R230
Only the 500's came with the boot spoier originally, so the 280 is definately a retrofit. I believe that the bootlid on the 500's were also alloy. They have a different chrome molding/handle too when fitted with the spoiler.
Personally I wish my 500 never had it fitted....what were they thinking?
Personally I wish my 500 never had it fitted....what were they thinking?
