Restoring a Pagoda Hard Top....COST?????

[McBenz]

Was able to pick up a used hard top a while ago and wanted to finally take it apart and restore it. After preliminary inspection, I am not seeing any rust, so that's good.

But, I was wondering if anyone here has restored their hard tops recently and what a "ball-park" estimate would be for replacing the seals, re-chroming trim, new headliner, maybe replace the glass, and re-painting exterior. I've read here various older posts mentioning that restoring hardtops could get very pricey.
I'd like to set an approx. budget for the restore and sure could use some insight from those that have been in my shoes.

As a side-note, my parents had the opportunity to purchase a brand new hardtop from Mercedes Dealer in Stuttgart in 1982 before transferring to the U.S. , but the dealer wouldn't sell it because the car was already being shipped to the U.S. and they strongly recommended the car be present for fitting and said that purchasing the top without checking fit would be downright wrong. The cost was 2000 DM at the time, approx. $1000 equivalent . They took MB advice, and passed on it. (I'm still kicking myself on that decision)...

[mdsalemi]

I am in the process of having mine done as we speak. Mostly complete now. Only items left are the headliner, the wood refinish and some odds and ends. Not easy or cheap. PM me for more detail...

[johnk]

If the only issue with your headliner is stains from water leaks it’s very practical and inexpensive to have it refinished back to the original color. My understanding is replacing the headliner is extremely time consuming and expensive. Companies That specialize in interior renovation for a new car dealerships will even come on site to respray it at your place

[Benz Dr.]

Was able to pick up a used hard top a while ago and wanted to finally take it apart and restore it. After preliminary inspection, I am not seeing any rust, so that's good.

But, I was wondering if anyone here has restored their hard tops recently and what a "ball-park" estimate would be for replacing the seals, re-chroming trim, new headliner, maybe replace the glass, and re-painting exterior. I've read here various older posts mentioning that restoring hardtops could get very pricey.
I'd like to set an approx. budget for the restore and sure could use some insight from those that have been in my shoes.

As a side-note, my parents had the opportunity to purchase a brand new hardtop from Mercedes Dealer in Stuttgart in 1982 before transferring to the U.S. , but the dealer wouldn't sell it because the car was already being shipped to the U.S. and they strongly recommended the car be present for fitting and said that purchasing the top without checking fit would be downright wrong. The cost was 2000 DM at the time, approx. $1000 equivalent . They took MB advice, and passed on it. (I'm still kicking myself on that decision)...

That dealer didn't want to be bothered with crating and any problems if the top arrived damaged. The checking fitting story is just that; a story.


Last time I did one was priced at roughly:

1K disassembly
1K paint
1K parts  ( seals, headliner )
2.5K chrome plating
3.8K assembly

This was 5 or 6 years ago and it looks like about 10K in Canadian funds back then. I wouldn't expect it to be any less in USA funds today.
 

[Cees Klumper]

Late seventies I had a bunch of parts off my motorcycle chromed, including all of the wheel spokes, pedals and various body parts. Certainly as much as would go onto a Pagoda hard top. I thought the cost was low then, but compared to now it was ridiculously cheap: $30. I do wonder how new chrome parts can still be lots cheaper than having something rechromed.

[Garry]

I did a restoration on one of my hard tops and spent in excess of $4000 all up and it then sat on a stand until i sold the car.  If you don’t put the top on much it is hard to justify the cost i think.

[Peter]

Between $4k en $5k must be possible, if essential parts, like chrome, are available on the to be restored HT.
If you do a part of the stripping/building-up yourself even less. Difficult is the painting job, re-chroming and the headliner.

My experience is that I use the HT during the winter period, so I’m happy I did the restoration.
 

[McBenz]

Great, I agree. Driving it in the winter with HT is something I always regretted. For it to be a true "pagoda", the pagoda roof HT makes it complete.

[McBenz]

great, thanks. Good to know.

[McBenz]

Great, that helps me get a ball-park figure for the work. I will try to do some of the work myself too keep costs down. Thanks.

[mdsalemi]

Late seventies I had a bunch of parts off my motorcycle chromed: $30.

That's a lifetime ago, Cees. A good salary out of college was $20K/year. A new BMW 320i was under $12K.

I do wonder how new chrome parts can still be lots cheaper than having something rechromed.

Production vs. one-off. Fresh new stampings/castings don't need the same level of prep as an old part--and they don't get it either. The chrome process probably isn't as elaborate, either. Maybe a single copper or nickel plate, followed by a thin chrome plate. When I've had things re-chromed, the process involved copper plate, two strikes of nickel (dull and bright) followed by the chrome, and then lots of hand buffing and clean up. Production parts are not treated to such luxurious handling.

[mdsalemi]

Last time I did one was priced at roughly:

1K disassembly
1K paint
1K parts  ( seals, headliner )
2.5K chrome plating
3.8K assembly

I think that is a reasonable ballpark. The amount of chrome, missing parts, quality of what you are starting with all affect the total, but it's not cheap.

Full members, have you seen and read the definitive article on the restoration? https://www.sl113.org/wiki/Tops/HardTop