Well I've finally started building a proper garage, although the process has been interrupted for a few days due to 60 degrees one day then snow 2 days later, typical Appalachian weather.
Of course the first car to enter that garage will be my 70 280SEL resto project. I'll get some pics posted as soon as I can get a good digital cam or maybe the old school scan a photo, but for now I'm trying to get several things decided.
Like every restoration,the 280 will not be a Trailer Queen, so a factory resto to the "T" won't be necessary. I want a clean rust free resto that will be available at a moment's notice for travel and weekend cruises, and of course, "Herman" (as he's been named) won't be driven daily. He will be restored to a drivable, shiny green Merc.
Since you've all been informed of my plans, I now would like to ask the infamous question (which I know has been asked and discussed 100's of times.) What ignition setup would you recommend? He's been sitting for years but everything is intact.
I bought him at an advantage even though there is some rust here and there. Being very familiar with judging rust (I've owned several Beetles and am currently the owner of a 63.) I'm not worried about rust repair. I know several reputable body shops. I purchased him from the second owner who had acquired the car in the mid 80's after it had been sitting during a lien dispute with the original owner's bank. The title was finally cleared in 1993 believe it or not.
It only had 53,000 documented miles on it when it was parked. It spent half of the last twenty years in a garage and the other half in and around the second owner's property. Then he lost interest in it and I purchased it.
I have all the books and documents and it's in my name now. Other than the typical rocker rust (which actually isn't that bad) there's some problem areas here and there but thankfully, no suspension area rust.
Well, kinda got off the subject there. Just thought I'd answer all the typical questions before they were asked. Anyway, I want to know that for sheer ease of maintenance, what's the best way to eliminate the transistorized ignition?
I may well keep it, but if the option does come up, I would rather have ease of maintenance over originality. So every opinion is encouraged. I would also like to compliment this site and its members. This is, after searching for months, the best Pagoda site in existence. Even though I can't share in your pure SL hobby, I do love almost every Merc from this era.
And by far, the W108 and W109's are my favorite German sedans. So any help is welcome and I will share all my experiences in this new found branch of vintage German cars with you all.
Being only 22, I do share a deep appreciation of these cars, so rest assured the hobby will continue to the next generation. Although most of my generation would rather buy an Impreza or an Evo, I'd rather be blowing down a country road in a 300SEL 6.3, by far my favorite Merc.
RJ
