Seeking advice for selling my '67 W111 coupe

[rgafitanu@gmail.com]

Hello,
I have decided that I need to part with my "67 W111 coupe. It has been a 4 1/2 years restoration process and it is almost finished.

The facts:
1967 W111 250SE Coupe Grey with Red Interior
It is my daily driver, everything works.
In its previous life the original 2.5 engine probably overheated and it was replaced with an SL 2.3l.
I replaced all rubber parts/components. Cylinder head has been machined and fitted with new gasket.
I swapped the old 4.08 rear axle with 3.27 for smooth cruising. Speedometer serviced and adjusted for new ratio to GPS.
New front and rear brake calipers and bearings. Transmission fluid and filter changed.
Hot Spark electronic ignition, never missed a beat.
Except for one spot on the left rear fender, no rust.
Apparently the car belonged to Claude Rains, the actor that played the police chief in Casablanca. He did live in New Hampshire his last years (where I bought the car) and he did own a Mercedes with vanity plates "Rains". I didn't verify this any further.

Obviously it is no concours category. However I intend to have it in the, at least, "Honest Car" category and not to fall into "Project Car" category.
To that effect I am seeking advice from the more experienced members with the following:
- Because of restoration budget I used cheap vinyl seat and rear bench covers. Should I get the correct leather+basket weave+raised pleats? Will it make a significant difference?
- The front right fender has a (significant) ding. It cannot be fixed without respraying the entire fender. Should I fix it? And while I am doing this should I do the rust spot on the rear panel too?
- Should I get the original horns?
I am looking to get no less than $30K.

[rgafitanu@gmail.com]

Continued

[rgafitanu@gmail.com]

continued

[rgafitanu@gmail.com]

The ding and the rust spot.

[Garry]

Putting an item in the for sale area and seeking advice on selling and then adding a bunch of photos, is virtually tantamount to saying it is for sale.


 If you are putting an item in the For Sale area, you must, repeat must put a price on the item.  Items not priced will be removed within 24 hours.

[rgafitanu@gmail.com]

What would be the appropriate subforum? I will move it there immediately.

[Garry]

Radau


You have written it up as an advertisement with description and lots of photos.  I suggest you just put a price on it or simply ask the question, is it better to restore a car before sale or not. and a single photo of what car it is and put the question in the W111 area.

[rgafitanu@gmail.com]

I added a price. May I ask why you are suggesting to have only one photo instead of several?

[Garry]

Radu,


There are some pretty strict rules that were introduced several years ago when we opened up the For Sale area to all members rather than only Full Members and one of those was that if an item is to be put up for sale it must have a price on it.  We often get people posting that they are “thinking of selling” with the hope that some one will actually seek to buy and avoid pricing  the item. These are always moderated and removed if not corrected.


As you had written your post up with a full description and a full set of photos, it really looks and reads like an advertisement and your question at the end on what would be the best thing to do, if removed would make for a perfect advertisement except you did not mention a price that you were looking for. 


It unfortunately breaches the Forums intent of banning people seeking offers on an item when they are really just intending to sell. Your intention is to sell your vehicle, whilst you are seeking comment on whether it is economically suitable to repair, the simple thing would have been to just ask that question.  Is it better to fix up a vehicle for sale or sell as is. As you have done, you have listed what you have in lots of detail,  all the things you have done to it, photos of the vehicle inside and out and then did the norm of asking the classic question, should i fix before or sell as is. 


Whilst it is seeking comment, it is also a bait post for anyone who may be interested in buying. Adding your intended ask price now allows members to comment to the price basis and if interested in buying now have a price point.


Garry

[Bonnyboy]

In the $30,000 price range I think you would be better off to have the fender ding and rust spot looked after.  You want to remove things that catch the eye like the horn pad and dirty battery. I wouldn't worry too much about the seats but the car needs to present well.   With the rust and fender ding I would consider that just the tip of the iceberg.  That doesn't look like a huge bill to get fixed and they could possibly paint just the door and front fender and blend in the rest.   Paint looks very forgiving.    Are your tires at their end of life?  A new set of white walls with body matched hubcaps would look good.     

Since you have a 230 Engine in there you may want to at least find a source for a larger replacement engine (don't buy it - just know where one is) as the 230sl engine could be quite desirable to someone and worth a swap for the new owner.

Cute car.

[dirkbalter]

Since you have a 230 Engine in there you may want to at least find a source for a larger replacement engine (don't buy it - just know where one is) as the 230sl engine could be quite desirable to someone and worth a swap for the new owner.

Cute car.

That someone would be me, if interested. I have a running 250 engine including pump sitting in my garage. Came out of my 230.   

[rgafitanu@gmail.com]

Thank you Garry for the clarification. It was not my intention to bait the sale. I would not have considered this sale if my family would not have met with a serious health problem that changed our priorities requiring financial liquidity. I wanted to post several pictures and details to help responding members select between “if you got that far...why not ...finish” and “why bother...it’s a basket case anyway”.
Thank you Bonnyboy, I do have a new set of wheels and tires and I will put a new battery. Interesting idea about the 250 engine. It may not be a “numbers matching” but at least it will have the correct engine for the model. I thought the 230 engine was better.

Thank you,
Radu

[Garry]

Radu,


I can see it was not your intent and am glad that you are getting some interest and also some good advice on selling the vehicle.
Hopefully you will successfully sell it at a price that is acceptable to you


Good luck with the sale


Gar

[wjsvb ✝︎]

Radu:  IMHO, do no body or interior repairs, but have a professional detailing done ($500?) and make sure the car reliably starts, stops, shifts etc.  Be very forthcoming with prospective buyers about any known faults in the car.  Have it professionally photographed and try to list on BaT, though they may ask for a "No Reserve" which may not appeal to you.  Second choice may be eBay, with a realistic (to you) reserve.  That should bring out the market's interest.  You have a desirable car with the early features (e.g. wooden binnacle) and what appears to be a good base to take to the next level.  The 250/230 trade is a good thought, though you don't need to invest, as said above, just have it available.  Good luck!  Jon

[Benz Dr.]

A heavy 250 coupe with an auto and 3.27 axle?  Even the 3.5 coupe had lower gearing at 3.69

[rgafitanu@gmail.com]

I know Dan of your concerns from previous posts. I was really fed up with the high revs and noise at 65 mph and I found a W110 donor for a very good price.