rust 190 SL

[badali]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/371296955613?_trksid=p11010.c100136.m2769&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140212115136%26meid%3D977128a370d64da280ad7f7ed86d2cfb%26pid%3D100136%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D321710148373/?ssPageName=ADME:B:WNA:US:1120

What makes this 190 SL so valuable?  I don't see much structure left at all.  I guess this is where to fools meet...  The one that won't remove the reserve at a $35K bid and the one that bid $35k...

[Benz Dr.]

With prices well ovr 200K for restored cars does it still seem to be too much?

[badali]

I would say too much on this one...  There is no structure in the floor at all...  It would probably cost more to repair this car than $200k.  If at least there was a solid part of the rolling chassis  you would have something to take good measurements from.

[Flyair]

The amount of 35K is for the original chassis numbers so that the end result is called renovation as opposed to replica.   

[Benz Dr.]

The first car I ever restored was a 190SL and that was during 1977 to 1981. It was worse than this one and Joe did the frame repar - we go back a ways.

 It's  lot of work to restore a 190SL and it's much more difficult than a 113. The floor and frame rail parts are all made at K&K so they're not that exspensive. It's all of the trim and interior that really adds up. Paint and body work has really gone up a lot with the cost of materials. A complete car with everything there that may run isn't out of line for that price.

[ja17]

These SLs and sedans of the era, were Mercedes' first attempt at uni-body construction.  The inside of the stamped sheet metal channels were left bare metal. No primer or paint. Rust developed, just from condensation alone. Wet weather and salty roads caused accelerated rust damage. Once the sheet metal channels developed rust holes, corrosive moisture spread throughout. These days, uni-body structures are submerged in special primers and often constructed with zinc coated metals.

A skilled restorer can actually rebuild the entire uni-body.  As Dan mentions, floor panels and frame channels are reproduced today. They are better than original as they are zinc coated. The interior of the uni-body cavities should be thoroughly coated to prevent any re-occurrence of the problem.  

Today, a lot of these "labor intensive" are worthwhile since the prices of the cars are so high.

[ja17]

Yes, I remember your 190SL,Dan.  Back in those days, those rusty 190SLs could be had for just a few hundred dollars. The reproduction floor pans were not available so we just had to form flat sheet metal.  190SLs in good condition or restored were not  worth much, so you could not justify too much money or labor in these cars. I bought a one owner, nice original owner 35,000 mi 190SL back then for $1,300.00
 Today the state-of-the-art is so much better. The reproduction parts are formed perfectly and are better than originals being zinc plated. The high values of the cars can allow a skillful and accurate re-construction. Welding technology has improved also.

[Benz Dr.]

How could anyone forget my '' parts car. ''

[badali]

OK,  So at 35K the reserve is not yet met.  What is it really worth as is?

[Richard S]

Any car is only worth what someone will pay for it.

[badali]

It sold for $49K.  All I can say is WOW!  Even though some restored ones go to $200K most of the ones for sale in driving condition are only around $100k or so.

[Benz Dr.]

I've seen some asking prices for 190SL's nearing 300K. Even if the seller came down 25% in price, which I doubt they would, it's still well over 200K.
Is this a growing bubble or the way of the future? The days of 15K 190SL's are over, and there were a lot of restoration candiates that sold in that price range only a few years ago. Now they're 30 - 50K.

 I expect that an average number 3 condition 113 will be 100K by the end of this decade. This is a car you can buy for 25 - 35K right now.

High end Euro cars from the 50's and 60's are very hot right now and it seems to be where the really tall money is going. Cars such as 190SL's are begining to be considered as part of a serious collector's portfollio much like 300SL's were some years ago and as the prices of 300's rise so will '' lesser '' cars.

[GGR]

I've seen some asking prices for 190SL's nearing 300K.

looks like the W113 is already there too: http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/carsforsale/mercedes_benz/280sl/1731659.html