What to do with my W126 donor car?

[Charles Morgan]

I bought a W126 420SE to provide an engine and gearbox to transplant into my W114 coupe, but I decided against doing it for a variety of reasons. The car, a nice silver sand with mushroom leather turned up on Friday. No MOT, handbrake is not working properly so is stuck on a bit, brake pads need doing as do engine mounts and some window regulators. Bodywork is pretty good, the odd rust patch on wings but around the rear window and in the area of the parcel shelf there is rust that would have to be sorted. A couple of new tyres and some suspension work would also be needed, as well as a new bonnet release handle, fans work well, but not sure the aircon does. It has 180k on the clock and no history, so it will never be a premium car.

I like the W126 but as the proverbial would say I wouldn't start from here, as I need another project like a hole in the head. A lot I could do but lack the time and inclination, but would be a bit more than the car is worth if done by a garage, and my restoration budget is overdrawn on the W114. I don't want it taking root while I think about this.

So what is the best option for a rapid disposal short of weighing it in, which I think would be unfair. It would be a nice little project car for someone, but not me now.

 

[219]

You could do worse than advertise it on here , perhaps another member will want it .

Failing that , if you can be bothered , you could break it , to help other members cars live on . Finally weighing in what no one wants .

Otherwise , there is always eBay

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Any pics?

 

[GordonTarling]

If you're not able to restore it, then I feel someone else should be given the chance. Try it on Ebay or perhaps one of the classic car websites rather than break it. If it's not gone within (say) a month, then either weigh it in or break it.

 

[Charles Morgan]

I'll do some pics later Lee.

 

[219]

I agree that trying to find someone who wants to restore it should be the first option .

Failing that , offering parts to fellow members to enable other cars to live on would be the next best option .

Weighing in would be the last resort as the whole car would likely end up in the crusher .

Items like bumper chrome , body panels , walnut trim and leather interiors - all provided in good condition - can be sought after .

Alas , engines seem to be less in demand ( other than by people wanting to put them in smaller cars ) because they are just so reliable and almost never need replacing .

 

[Charles Morgan]

The bad bits taken before a rinse, snow foam and rinse/dry. Just a random, representative sample (i.e. bad bits in same place on both sides).

 

[Charles Morgan]

 

[Charles Morgan]

Cleaning always helps - paint is really pretty good (so much better than later MBs), brightwork is excellent (again, way better than W124s etc), interior has usual wear on driver's bolster but easily sprayed, interior could do with a proper clean but is otherwise fine.

This is a proper MB - really quality of materials and weight, so much much better than a W124.

I am not going to break it, I don't have the time, inclination or storage (my W114 is eating all of that plus a bit more).

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Just waiting to hear back for a quote to get it lifted up here.

 

[219]

That does look far too nice to break .

 

[Charles Morgan]

Agreed Derek.

The osf wing has less obvious rust and looking at it it has been resprayed in a good match but enough to notice.

 

[SG1]

I'd be interested in it if you are looking to move it on.

 

[gaz_l]

Much too nice to break Charles, it'll make a good smoker for someone.

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[219]

Oddly , from the photos , someone has moved the switches around : on every other one I've seen , the aircon/delister switch is above the normal/recirculate switch , with the hazard light switch off to the side , and not the way they are in your car ! ??

 

[Charles Morgan]

So I have a totally unique car?! That'll be thousands on the price then...

 

[Charles Morgan]

I've booked it in for an MOT at the local garage who know me well, with disc pads and handbrake to be sorted. Getting a ticket will make sorting it much more straightforward.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

 

[Charles Morgan]

I was wondering where it had gone! It hasn't got a black cat inside, my neighbour's cat Alfie has disappeared.

Enjoy, I'm sure it will be a really good car with a bit of work. Now, is there any way of buying shares in your Indy?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I was wondering where it had gone! It hasn't got a black cat inside, my neighbour's cat Alfie has disappeared.

Enjoy, I'm sure it will be a really good car with a bit of work. Now, is there any way of buying shares in your Indy?

No, no sign of a black cat (?!)

I'm in two minds which way to go with it, like you stated earlier it'll never be a minter but it does have a good base at least to work with.

Two options so far are;
1. Get it roadworthy, MOT it, replace/repair the window regulators etc essentially turn it into a daily...

Or
2. Do all of the above and then AMG it; bumpers, side skirts, grille, wheels etc and give it a full paint. I've been browsing the Internet and eBay seeing how much it'd cost vs what it'd be worth when done and it's a bit of a grey area so I'm undecided.