w123 article in Practical Classics

[219]

Looks good .

Champagne Gold metallic ? That was the colour of my 280TE .

 

[grober]

Looks like a comprehensive job. Since the original post centred round cost it might be illuminating for forum members reading this thread to hear what additional work was required and what percentage that added to the projected cost ?

 

[a111r]

More piccys, please.

Were you happy with the outcome and the cost?

 

[Screwdriver]

I will sure to post more pictures and details when work finishes. It is around 80% complete to date.

 

[Screwdriver]

Renewed Braking System

One more of the front wheel arch, highlighting the fully restored braking system. Note even the renewed plastic bits - Cosovich appears a real stickler for details.

I'll keep the updates coming with more pictures lads.

 

[Screwdriver]

Quick update as work on the car appears to be coming to a close:

Both rear axles were replaced. The SLS leveling valve was also replaced with a new one.

When the SLS system was pressurized to its normal 2000 psi, both rear hydraulic struts began leaking, much to our surprise (no leaks were visible and we pressurized them to 500 PSI to test them). Those are now also being replaced with new BOGE OEM parts, which are being imported from Germany. Incase you're wondering, all of these are covered by my original quote for an all inclusive mechanical restoration.

Here are another pair of before/ after pics:

 

[Screwdriver]

Restored Engine bay pics in

Just received this picture of the restored engine bay. The SLS hydraulic rams are on the car, as are the original pressed alloy wheels (half the weight of the steel wheels).

Cosovich has been raving about the way my SLS saloon is superior to the standard suspension setup after his 60 mile test drive through the country. I've never me a man more in love with a series of car!

More pics soon but for now, here's the engine bay in near complete state.

 

[alabbasi]

I now own two W123's , a 280TE with a 4 speed manual and a 280CE with an automatic. I'm not sure why a steering gearbox costs 2000 GBP, built ones can be bought for about $400 here and rebuilt kits are readily available. The car mechanically is very simple to work on and parts are pretty cheap to buy. What's also nice is that many W126 suspension parts will work on a W123 as upgraded components.

Some interior and trim parts (seals around the window, etc) are becoming very expensive for the CE as these parts are discontinued.

 

[KSD]

Is this the ex-Indira Gandhi W123?

 

[Screwdriver]

Yes. Quite the compliment when Cosovich says the following about the car:

https://www.facebook.com/W123World/posts/893758850761456

 

[KSD]

High praise indeed from Swansea svengali...

I'm sure I saw this same car pre-resto about 5 or 6 years ago. It was in a large metal farmyard type garage somewhere in Lincolnshire. The interior was in various pieces but I remember being surprised by it having SLS and AC. The engine was very smooth.

 

[Screwdriver]

"Swansea Svengali"...Brilliant!

The previous owner of my car was the proprietor of this garage I believe - Michael Scattergood. Ring a bell?

 

[KSD]

I don't recall the gentleman's name but I do recollect there were chickens in attendance.

 

[Screwdriver]

Got my W123 back today. If I had to put it all into one sentence, I'd say "Magic Carpet ride". I didn't know a suspension setup could be so smooth. Wow.

I will be posting a detail restoration thread soon. Till then, feel free to ask any questions.

 

[alabbasi]

Got my W123 back today. If I had to put it all into one sentence, I'd say "Magic Carpet ride". I didn't know a suspension setup could be so smooth. Wow.

I will be posting a detail restoration thread soon. Till then, feel free to ask any questions.

It's the giant black marsh mellows that they use for tires

 

[190]

Got my W123 back today. If I had to put it all into one sentence, I'd say "Magic Carpet ride". I didn't know a suspension setup could be so smooth. Wow.

I think there are a lot of younger drivers today who have never experienced a car from an era when ride was given at least as much priority as handling. Hopefully the silly fad that puts form before function with ribbon tyres and a rock hard ride will pass in time. I've ridden in some modern cars that were so astonishingly bad that the driver had to slow down for every bump which rather defeated the object of it being a sporty model. Even then I'm sure the young driver didn't appreciate just how bad the car was .

 

[Screwdriver]

It's the giant black marsh mellows that they use for tires

Those same "Marshmallows" were on the car before I had it restored, so no, I don't think its that.

I'm going to spend more time underneath the car so I can better understand what Mark and his team have done. It's surreal how imperceptible potholes and speed breakers have now become.