Barn Find 230 SL

[yogisurf]

Hello. I live in San Diego, CA and own a 1966 230SL, serial # 11304210015314, in “Barn Find” condition. I bought the car in 1974 with 92K miles and drove it as my ‘Sunday’ car until 1985 (133K), when it was hit by another car. The SL sustained right front fender and suspension damage. It still ran and I was able to drive it home, but I parked it and it has been stored under a tarp since then.  The SL is beige, with beige interior, has both tops, 4-sp manual, steel wheels, U.S. head lamps, keys, tools and pink slip. I want to dispose of the car. It seems there are two ways to go…1) Part it out so other SL’s can live on, or 2) Sell it complete, as is.  Any input? Any more information needed?

[cfm65@me.com]

Hi Yogi,
Sorry to hear about the accident in 1985. I would urge you to rather sell the car in one piece for someone to restore.
You might be able to make a few bucks by parting it out, but it could take years and most parts for these cars are still available.
You have obviously lost interest in the car. Walk away, let it go, set it free and it might be restored and live again, rather than destroy it.
Regards
Chris
Cape Town

[Kevkeller]

I totally agree. I HATE it when a car able to be restored is parted. Can you post some some pictures?

[Garry]

Put it on here as Wanted to Sell with a price and you never know, it may be gone before you think.


Garry

[yogisurf]

Thanks guys. I'm leaning towards selling it in one piece so that it can live on. Pictures soon.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

As Garry pointed out list it here in our forum area were people list "Items for Sale"

Here ---> https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?board=4.0

be sure to add a price it is a requirement.

If you need help posting photos, let us know.

Best,

Dieter

[yogisurf]

Thanks Dieter.  Going out now to see if I can pump the tires and wire-up the exhaust system.

[swood1]

Hi Chris,

Does the engine run?   I maybe interested although already restoring one car at the moment. Really enjoying the project (albeit most of my work is fixing the bodges from previous owner).



Regards

Steven

[yogisurf]

Yogge here.  The engine has not been started since 1986. It will take quite a bit of work to get it to fire-up. Thinking about doing it.

[doitwright]

Based on your description and photos the car could be a restoration candidate depending on a deeper dive into the condition. If there is rot in floor boards and frame rails, there may not be much of the original car to refurbish. However, as seen on this site, that may not deter some from giving it a go. If considering a restoration yourself, you have to determine to what level you plan to go. There are concour restorations and there are restorations. The vast majority of cars I have seen described as restored do not meet concour standards. With body and paint starting at $30K US you could be into another $100K plus to sort everything else. And even then you won't be guaranteed a trophy.

EBay and BAT should give you a good idea of where to start if you decide to sell as-is. Parting out will also involve significant time and space to work and store parts.

[yogisurf]

Thank you Frank, that is good information. I will inspect the floor boards from inside and underneath. I'll have to research the frame rails. In the unlikely event I take on the restoration (my son and a couple of friends are trying to talk me into it), it will be to 'driver' quality, which would likely still be ~$50-100K. I have no personal interest in trophy's, but I admire those who do and the work they have done to get their vehicles to that level.

[rjmarco]

Hi, Yogge.

I wouldn't be deterred about doing your restoration even if you need floor pan and frame rail work.  I had this done on my 1965 230 SL three years ago.  It all got handled in a few weeks.  Key is finding someone who is familiar with what needs to be done and how to do it.  Replacement parts were readily available and my experience was positive.  It cost a little money but I was glad to check this item off my restoration list. 

Rich

[doitwright]

In the unlikely event I take on the restoration (my son and a couple of friends are trying to talk me into it), it will be to 'driver' quality, which would likely still be ~$50-100K. I have no personal interest in trophy's, but I admire those who do and the work they have done to get their vehicles to that level.

Uh huh. What I have found to be the case in restoring one of these cars is once you get down to doing a complete teardown and you have put in a few hundred or one thousand hours just to get the body right and then you see it with a sparkling new coat of paint, there is no settling for "good enough" at that point you are "all-in". And when you think about it, it only makes sense. Sure, you put a coat of paint on it, pop in a New interior and pressure wash the engine, but now-a-days the value of a restored car is in the documentation.

[Agkaslov1]

Hi, I would be interested in buying please feel free to contact me (571) 839-0698 call/text also would like more info. Thanks

[Garry]

Hi Yogi,


I have moved this posting to this For Sale area as it has gone from just seeking advice on parts or sell to a full blown pricing and “I am interested pls contact” scenario.  It does not quite meet the Forum rules on pricing and i would prefer you put your price figure on it but I think it has met the intent and will leave it here at this point so that all members can see and contact you if interested.


Garry
Membership Administrator

[yogisurf]

Understood, Garry.  Thanks for the flexibility. 

[yogisurf]

I located the Owner's Manual, Supplemental Owners Manual (Wheels), Catalog (Parts listing and schematic), Service Booklet, metal owner's card imprinter and radio Operations Instructions. I had stored these inside my house in a filing cabinet.

[yogisurf]

Here's the Owner's Manual, etc.