Just finished - 1968 280 SL new paint job!

[FRITZ68]

Earlier this year I posted some information and pictures, as we were preparing and painting my wife's 1968 280SL.  We finished it a few week ago, but due to inclement weather were unable to post any pictures.  Today was a nice day in Ohio (finally) and here are some pictures of the finished product.   If we are lucky it will be warmer soon and my wife can drive it this spring and summer.

I want to thank many on this forum who provided help and encouragement as this job progressed.  It was a lot more work than we bargained for, but was well worth it.  Car can be seen anytime at our car museum in Canfield, Ohio.  See www.tipcars.us for more pictures or stop in to see the car in person when you are in NE Ohio.

Check out the Coker Tires (Phoenix), which were the closest we could get to the originals.  The only thing remaining is to get the dash lights working, which seems to be a little more difficult than anticipated.

Fritz

[Jonny B]

Very nice indeed! I have a set of Coker white walls on my 250 SL. I just love the period look

[Flyair]

very classy, congratulations.

The old lady (speaking of the car, not of the user of the car ) looks fit and fresh again. Strange however for a respectable lady that she announces so proudly her age (on the plate) 

[w113dude]

Beautiful Fritz, she is begging for a road trip.

[FRITZ68]

And thanks to Achim and others on this forum, I added the chrome strips on the side of the rear fenders that were missing from the previous owner's last paint job.  I bought these from Kryztof Kulinski who shipped these from Poland.
I know that some on this forum were disappointed that we did not remove the chrome arches over the wheels, but by the time I was aware that these were not "original" the car was already painted and the area under the arches was not prepared for no arches.  Luckily on the silver color, they blend in fairly nicely and the main thing is that my wife likes them.

I didn't show any engine pictures, but we detailed that area, as well as the interior and inside the trunk.  All gaskets were also replaced and new bumpers added.  We also painted the center part of the hub caps in the same silver as on the body.  Some small sections of trim chrome were rechromed or replaced. The job took about 2-3 months in our shop, working 4 days a week (7-hour days).

Fritz

[71Beige280SL]

Fritz, Nice work. She's a beauty. We are getting quite a collection of Pagodas in Ohio!

[Bonnyboy]

Hey Fritz,  I have to thank you for the link to the free TP Tools catalogue with your Pagoda in it - the new catalogue arrived in the mail last week.

After reading it cover to cover I put it away in my "Pagoda" bookshelf.  My daughter asked why I would put a tool catalogue in my bookshelf rather than beside the toilet.  I told her it was special and gave it to her to find out why.  It took two seconds for her to figure it out.  She enjoyed the two page article on the paint job process on your Pagoda.  I said that was good cause we are going to do that same thing to the MGB.   The cool toys for autobody guys is good too.


If anyone needs a catalogue for their eclectic mix of reading material - go to www.tptools.com and click on the Free Catalog icon.    They even sent me one and I am in Canada - land of high postage and even higher duty charges.