George
I just stumbled on to this thread. I know it is a year old but it is new to me.
Of all the customized/personalized 113 cars I have seen (including the Pininfarina and the shooting brake) this is the best. The one exception is the out of proportion fender flares on the rear quarters. I would not do this to the car but I can appreciate the thought and workmanship that went into it. Most people who alter a car in an attempt to improve it fail miserably. This one looks as if it could have been designed this way. I even think the 350 chevy engine is a good idea. If the engine installation is as slick as the rest of the car, it should be a real pleasure to drive, and I do hope he/she drives it. It would be a shame to expend all the effort on the car and then not show it off and enjoy it. Most people who see the car will not know not care that is is not original anyway. They will just think it is a neat old car.
I know many people think that altering a car is sinful. I think an even worse sin is to spend an ungodly amount of time and money refurbishing a car and then park it in the corner of a garage, warehouse, barn, carport or even outside. Then for whatever reason, the car is not driven. Since all cars deteriate from neglect just as quickly as from use, it eventually becomes unservicable-and no one has had the pleasure of driving it. All the effort and money is wasted. Then is is sold, inherited or passed on the next person who gets to start the process all over again. This happens to all types of cars, not just Mercedes 113 cars. If you think I am wrong, just look at the posts in this and other forums and see how many problems are the result of neglect and inactivity.
You thoughts on either the customized car or on the idea of driving versus not driving a car?
Happy Motoring
Iverson