The Yellow W123 - Unexpected Restoration!

[DrGreenthumb]

Nice work with the yellow car and those in your signature look fantastic too. You seem to know your sec'.

What model/year SEC would be best to go for on a budget and could you have one as a daily driver ?

 

[jaymanek]

I would stick to a post 1985 model. In my opinion they are better looking and the engines are better... the 420, 500 and 560.

They can well be a daily driver but on a budget you are more than likely to buy a car that will need a lot of work.

therefore a similar response to what i said here
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/856585-post7.html

 

[DrGreenthumb]

Thanks Jay. I was looking at a 1985 C Plate. But ill leave it based on your advice.

 

[Sorry Pete]

That's some very tidy welding if I might say so. Seriously, who'd have thought the w123 could have been hiding so many sins? I dunno, but there's something about those twin round headlights that I just love from the early w123's. I know most have been upgraded due to corrosion, but damn, keep them!

And a w123 needs chrome, ditch the AMG kit! (Well, no. But if you went for avocado green for the respray, you'd get my vote.)

 

[jaymanek]

I loved those round lights but they were badly corroded and gave out hardly any proper light.

However i do now have another set that i may try.

 

[jaymanek]

This was not repaired properly after a london bus hit me whilst parked years ago... so now time for another new arch.

New Inner Arch being hand made.

 

[jonnyboy]

good work

 

[alanf]

Is that The Stig doing your welding Jay? Go on tell who he is

Alan

 

[jaymanek]

good work

The inner arch really is a work of art, didnt manage to get pics though... Stig the welder really gets creative on the custom made bits.

Thats the welding now complete.

I am changing both of the front doors for good donor doors... Mine have rusted at the bottoms.. lucky i have plenty of W123 parts lying around!

These doors are SO heavy.. no wonder they close with that reassuring thunk.

 

[Dr.Grillz]

I love reading up on restorations... good job!

 

[jonnyboy]

Jay

Are you getting some posters for the office made/uploading a separate section to your website to show the quality of works you do for resto (I'm not suggesting you diversify into resto's but it shows attention to detail, and your MB fanaticism - all good for potential new sales customers) for the w123 and the widebody ?

 

[jaymanek]

Hi John,

It is something id thought of for my own website... Im thinking of refreshing it so may include something then...

Thanks

 

[jaymanek]

A donor door being prepared for paint.

 

[IanT]

I had the briefest of looks at this car yesterday and it's clear a lot has been done. Nice to see the brown stuff cut out and plated up properly.

Ian.

 

[ss201]

Nice work Jay. Guess it proves than where W123s are concerned, all that glitters is NOT gold!

 

[jaymanek]

 

[Koolvin]

I never really saw the attraction in old mercs. Now owning one I can see what the fuss is all about. Engineering and quality.

Walking around brooklands this month with the gang this month really upset me - ask Howard. I am really dissapointed with the new models.

good on you.

 

[Howard]

Yes the finish on the rear lights of the new C class is laughable ...

Sharp plastic edges left on the lights from the blow moulding , plastic tags still in place ...

Looks and feels really cheap , we were astounded that is was a forty grand car ...

And the new ML , panel gaps were huge and paint finish was terrible , imagine our surprise when we looked at the price tag and it was sixty grand !

 

[Mike Walker]

Makes the rust on my W203 wheel arches look insignificant compared to that lot. Reminds me of the Hillman Imp I had as my first car - that was just as bad and went to the breakers yard pdq.

 

[jaymanek]

Walking around brooklands this month with the gang this month really upset me - ask Howard. I am really dissapointed with the new models.

good on you.

Yep i went there and felt exactly the same... never mind the C class, the SLR bumper was badly misaligned!