What do you members think of this car?

[domimax]

Please look this 1970 over. Am thinking about buying this car. Does anyone know what the chrome nob is to the left of the radio? What is the color called? Thanks, David

Pics:  http://picasaweb.google.com/daveallan.moss/1970280sl#

[Douglas]

Looks like 571 Metallic Red. That chrome knob is a cigarette lighter (aftermarket).

Hard to say much about the car without seeing it in more detail. Looks like it was restored awhile back. New leather seat covers, fenders, rust repair in trunk, etc. Hard to comment on the quality of the workmanship, but doesn't appear to be anything exceptional from these pix.

[Jordan]

How much are they asking?  Is the colour original?  The red could be 516, medium red.  They stopped using burgundy red (573) in 65 so I doubt it would be that.  Really hard to tell from photographs.  The data card would tell you the original colour as would the tag inside the engine bay over the front drivers side tire.

The chrome nob is where the cigarette lighter is on my 230SL.  The nob was obviously changed.  Don't know if it is still a lighter.  Have you gone to see the car?

[domimax]

Looks like 571 Metallic Red. That chrome knob is a cigarette lighter (aftermarket).

Hard to say much about the car without seeing it in more detail. Looks like it was restored awhile back. New leather seat covers, fenders, rust repair in trunk, etc. Hard to comment on the quality of the workmanship, but doesn't appear to be anything exceptional from these pix.
[/quote

Thanks Doug,

I did not see the factory fender welds when i blew up the pictures so i assumed the front fenders were replaced. The man that owned the car was a master Mercedes mechanic. He has since passed away and his children are wanting to sell the car.

[domimax]

Jordan,

i have got the price down to 22k thus far. I have not inspected the car in person. I have learned that the engine was rebuilt, interior replaced and that it needs tires.

[jeffc280sl]

From what I can see it looks like a nice car.  Very clean engine compartment.  Go and drive it and let us know of any concerns.

[dtuttle123]

Look at the exterior red color, and then look at the red on the dash board - are they the same color red?  It's hard to tell from the photos, they look different to me. The exterior is a metalic red, but the red on the dash metal looks like a regular red.  But you could tell better in person. 

[Bernd]

Hi David

Looks like a reasonable car at first glance. Appears complete, with few aftermarket items visible to the naked eye. However, I would be very cautious. The exterior does not match what I see in the engine compartment, or in the trunk. Looks like there is extensive rust on the trunk floor, which has been painted over. Does not look to me like there was any great care taken in treating the rust. The car has seen at least one repainting, I would say. Look at the rubber cover for the heater valve access. Apart from being upside down, it has overspray on it; also, the hood torsion bar is normally black and the plastic brackets are not normally painted.  Given the rust in the trunk floor, make sure to check the usual places for corrosion... There are lots of them lurking under the surface (literally), and they will most definitely significantly reduce your enjoyment factor as well as your pocket book if they are there. Do a search on this forum and you will find many threads addressing the issue of proper treatment of rust.
 If you are not sure about the color, look at the tag in the left side of the engine compartment in front of the windshield washer motor. It will tell you what the color originally was. 

Don't want to knock it, but I suspect it will take a bit to have an enjoyable ride. What I suspect will happen if you buy is that you will start to do some restoration projects, and the task will snowball.....just like it has happened to many of us. However, if the body and mechanics are sound, and you can do some things yourself, the task does not have to put you in the poor house...

Bernd

[domimax]

Bernd, some excellent observations and illumination . Am proceeding, but with caution.

[Iconic]

$22k seems like a great deal to me unless you find a big problem.
When I bought my car (1 year ago) I researched complete, actually sold cars on e-bay to help determine price/value.
If I remember right, running cars started at around $15k, but those didn't look anything like the one you are talking about.
So, unless you find something in your inspection, this seems like a great deal.
(although I am sort of new to this ....)
I wonder what the others on the site think?
Mark

[Cees Klumper]

I would have it checked mechanically and especially for rust issues by a competent mechanic / shop and if it checks out positive, and you feel good about the car yourself, it looks like a very good value to me.

[Bernd]

Hey Domi.., just wondering if you bought it. Would live to hear the status. Can you give us an update?

Bernd