Thinking of buying this 280SL

[bogeyman]

Here's my take on the "notches".
I started the restoration on my '70 in the mid '90s. I replaced the entire front clip with factory pieces - there were no notches on the fenders.  I didn't "add" them, didn't even know as there was no interactive information source at that time.
I have been to Stuttgart many times and been on various tours of the factory.  I was on one tour that included the stamping area for large body parts. I was surprised that they only have one die for each part (they cost in six figures for each die).  I think what may have happened is that as the die wore down, the "notches" became less and less apparent, thereby making even factory correct replacement fenders lacking the feature.
Just a guess..

Rick

[Mike Hughes]

It would seem logical that if M-B ahd intended to include the "notch" detail feature as part of the design that they would have stamped the fenders out that way to begin with.  But, the fenders were not manufactured with the inner headlamp "notch" as part of the stamping - the dies did not include this feature.  Rather, it was a signature feature that was included as part of the final hand finishing process at the M-B works during the manufacturing of the body shell.  It is entirely understandable that someone working on a car undergoing front end repairs might not recreate the "notches" since they are not part of the fender stamping to begin with.  I've even seen cars with the original "notch" on one side and no "notch" on the other!

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by Douglas
... Go deeper. Look for filler with a magnet, look at proper panel fit, look for integrity in the body or the restoration, look for maintenance records, look for cars where the seller isn't trying to hide flaws,look for an enthusiast owner.... All of those are more telling.

And to add one more telltale to Douglas' excellent list, open the door and look at the space above the hinge.  On many cars you will see Phillips screws in the panel, a sure sign for past fender work.

[SE16 UK]

quote:Originally posted by MichaelB.

That golden color is gorgeous.

Oh and just a caveat... Before you (or anyone else) goes forward with a Daniel Schmitt car like the original car you posted please look on line and discover their checkered history with customers.

Another question. Do you want to find a 280, or would a 230 serve you well? Do you want a fully restored car or an original?

Daniel Schmitt..what can I say- I actually walked out...They had a young salesman who seemed OK but then the sales manager walked in-ordered me out of a replica Shelby Mustang, claiming it was worth $200k(the young salesman had just told me it was $60k!) and chastised the salesman for letting me near it...now, I am a down to earth fellow so may not have come across as someone who has owned various Porsches and Ferraris.  Suffice it to say I walked out quickly.  No great loss as the SLs they had were tarted up rubbish.  Hyman were much better. Its a shame the mechanical aspects of the car were such a let down. I am now talking to motoring investments and wholesale california about a couple of cars they have.