Pagoda wannabe

[dazzpowder]

Hi all,

I've been a long time fan of the Pagoda but the prices have always been out of my reach, given the present economic climate I'm thinking now may be a good time to invest in one.

Whats the deal with the head rests was this an option? I see very few cars with them fitted.  Does anyone know a specialist in London that would go out and inspect a car, many of the specialists in the UK will only inspect a car that is brought to them.

Thanks in advance.

[Khurram Darugar]

Dear Dazz,
              Headrest were fitted on later model 280sl > 69.  With a little bit of patience the can be retro-fitted and many believe this is a worth while safety enhancement.
There are plenty of specailist garages around such as Roger Edwards or Colin Ferns.

You may want to get a forum members opinion in tandem.  Many of us are quite hands on with the common problem areas and costs associated.
Where abouts in london are you?

Kay

[dazzpowder]

Hi Kay,

I'm in S.London.  I gave R Edwards a call but they only do inspections at their garage now.  Good to know about the headrests as I really like the look of them, can they look as good as Factory fit after retrofitting them, any ideas on cost?

I've ordered the essential buyers guide so will become a little more familliar with some of the things to look out for apart from the obvious.

I'm hopeing to pay around £25K for a 280 knowing that it will require some attention.

[JamesL]

Have a nosey in the MB Club Gazette - both for cars for sale and a possible inspection. Chris Bass, authour of that book, may also be prepared to look over a car - but more likely if you stump up the £35 for membership there (worth it just for Gazette alone in my opinion). Also have a look on classiccarsforsale.co.uk

If the car is in S London, have a chat with Michael Lavers at Silver Arrows in Putney. He may be prepared to have a look over a car. A lot will depend on it's location, however. A few specialist dealers (Ironside/Crawley) may also be prepared to travel to look at a car but if they are busy may be less inclined. If it's close, as suggested above, someone here may be prepared to look it over. I'd hate to volunteer anyone though, although one name springs to mind.



Good luck. I had my very filthy 280 out in S London this morning and it was great - missing petrol filler cap aside 

[knockmacool]

Hi Dazz

I looked at a few cars in the London area starting Sept last year. Once I found a car I was interested in, or more precisely, a car I was interested in that I might afford,  I did contact an expert for a pre-purchase inspection. I was satisfied with the process and more importantly the result (230SL)! His charges were around £250 for on site visit to car and about £100 on the follow up visit after the seller had addressed points raised in report.
Would be happy to provide details offline (mail me) but I would caution the inspector is not a MB expert.

Good luck!

[JamesL]

Dazz

IF this is as described - and it's being a bit "bigged up" - especially if the bodywork is good, it could be a nice buy

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-page.php/carno/43713/


I assume you have read, printed and digested in great detail the following...
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Buying.PrepurchaseEvaluation

[Khurram Darugar]

Dazz,
       There is a headrest on ebay right now.  You will also need the associated headrest rail that will be installed into your seatback.  Plus the seat back cover will require modification to allow the headrest to be slotted.  A nice project to do when you have the time.
Primarily you should concentrate on a good body/undercarraige.  Even something that looks solid upclose can have rot underneath layers of undercarraige undercoating.  Looking under carpets,wheel wells etc is imperative.  Everything else can be upgraded during ownership. 
Kay

[dazzpowder]

Thanks for the help so far guys.

I've set my heart on a 280 but what are the real world differences betwean this and a 230 is the 280 any nicer to drive, better on a long cruise? even more reliable?

[Peter van Es]

Dazzpower... Search before you ask, and ye shall find: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=8495.0

Peter

[dazzpowder]

Apologies no excuse for laziness.

[franjo_66]

Hi Dazz

I've retrofitted the headrests to my 1965 230SL, and the finish is factory-perfect. I sourced a period correct set of headrests & attachment rails from ebay in germany, and had them retrimmed in black MB Tex along with the rest of the interior. I added these purely as a safety item, but they do look really good.

Rgds
Frank

[jameshoward]

Hi Frank,

I'm about to depart down the same lane. Could you post a few photos of your finished product? I'd like to see how they look.

James

[franjo_66]

Hi James,

I'll get my restoration guys to take a few snaps. Car is still in final stages of interior re-assembly. It was a fairly straightforward procedure

Rgds
Frank

[Nate]

I believe most of the Euro models thru 1971 did not have headrests.  Might explain why you don't see that many in the UK.