New Acquisition

[n/a]

Hello Everyone

This is a little off topic but I wanted to tell you about my recent unusual purchase. It's a 1971 280 SE 3.5 utility. Most of you would probably call it a pickup but in Australia it is simply called a ute.

It was converted when new by a tyre company as a promotional vehicle. I bought it sight unseen after finding it on the internet. It was on the other side of the country so I was more than a little worried before it arrived despite an engineer's inspection and lots of photos.

The conversion was professionally done by a coach builder but it needs to be fully restored after all these years. The floor pan and running gear are original and in my opinion, it has quite good lines.

I have been stripping the interior trim and lots of other bits out of a 250 S sedan to transplant into it however a lot of it simply doesn't fit. Fortunately, many early 108 parts do fit my 230 SL. When it has been sorted mechanically, given a new coat of paint and retrimmed inside, it should be quite a unique vehicle.

Mark

1965 230 SL light blue, auto, RHD

[norton]

G'day Mark  any photo's

[Bob G ✝︎]

Mark;
A body shop that I used to frequent had one of those custom 108 sedan with an el Camino back. Quite intresting.  I do not know what happen to it perhaps you now have it.

Bob Geco

[Malc]

Australia!  
And I though only people in Scotland were "barking"
Malc

[n/a]

Here are some photos of the ute - I hope.

Download Attachment: Side.jpg
64.91 KB

Download Attachment: mercedes ute ad.jpg
29.57 KB

Mark

1965 230 SL light blue, auto, RHD

[hauser]

I remember reading something about student factory auto workers in Germany building one of a kind cars.  These were projects they took on before graduating.  I believe this was a way for them to sort of show off some of their skills.

1969 280sl 5 spd        1999 ML320          Gainesville,Fl.

[Ben]

Looks well !

Seems odd that there are still signs of the trim strips on the front wings though ??

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[hands_aus]

Hey MarkR,
A real beaut Ute!
I remember seeing it advertised on the net and wondering who bought it.
Have you run out of things to do on your 230SL?

Bob (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[n/a]

No Bob, still plenty to do on the 230 SL. I'm just a glutton for punishment! As to the trim strips Ben, as you can see, they are missing. The previous owner just filled the holes on the doors but left the front guards (fenders). I'm not sure why - probably ran out of money. Mind you as I go over the car, there are a lot of things I'm not sure about. All of the running gear is original Mercedes except the hand brake which has been relocated to between the seats.

Mark

1965 230 SL light blue, auto, RHD