Author Topic: Brotherly love 64 Pagoda project (Read 17724 times)

Thorpe Ride · « **on:** March 16, 2011, 22:17:16 »

Hello guys and gals...

My older brother and I purchased a very poor condition barn find. The vehicle fit all of our needs in retrospect to it being sporty, classy, older and just flat out cool...

She is a 64 230 SL that has been sitting for about 25-30 years and almost all of that time was literally in a barn. So barn find should be adequate right??

I am located in West Chester PA (outside Philadelphia) and my older brother lives outside of Annapolis MD. The car will be going through a large restoration process here at my dealership and each day and night so far my brother and I have been emailing/texting each other new info needed in regards to the restoration. We are welcoming any comments or critics but please do not insult our dreams here. We figure with the internet, elbow grease and a large amount of contacts through the dealership that we can save this gem.

To sum it up to all Pagoda lovers...this car was stopped from being scrapped

Pics a week later..

First step...Keys needed to see if she runs

To be updated hopefully soon.

badali · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2011, 00:17:04 »

It looks like an ambitious project but not any worse than what you will see from others here. The rust repair will be a big challenge. You will find tips on most rust repairs on the site and many pictures. Ask any question big or small and you will get many opinions. There are several postings on what to do before trying to start it also. Have fun.

graphic66 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2011, 01:04:37 »

You have a new addiction, heroin may be cheaper though. Car sits nice and will provide you with great enjoyment I'm sure.

Thorpe Ride · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2011, 01:56:52 »

Quote from: graphic66 on March 17, 2011, 01:04:37

You have a new addiction, heroin may be cheaper though. Car sits nice and will provide you with great enjoyment I'm sure.

Badali: Hello local and thx!!

Heroin may be less addictive and cheaper but this drug may continue to payoff in the long run. Maybe its time to start drugs now too and have a race to see which one kills me first $:-\$

Regardless thanks for the replies to the noobie guys...

Ulf · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2011, 07:55:39 »

Congratulations, it looks like there is a lot of work ahead, but I'm sure it will be an exciting and ultimately also rewarding journey in the end. You might want to check a few things before firing it up as this can cause all sorts of damage without preparation, fluid changes, cleaning of fuel lines etc. - pls. see this thread first if you haven't done so already.

And please keep us posted on the progress :-)

Ulf

JamesL · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2011, 10:31:58 »

You do realise that you have a great thing going. You and the car are in Pa. It's other owner is out of town. Admit it, he'll never see the car!

J. Huber · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2011, 13:21:38 »

Best wishes -- nice to see another early car saved. What strikes me about your photos are the MB-tex seats. I guess if they don't actually get sat on, they will last forever!
PS what's the VIN?

71Beige280SL · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2011, 18:09:08 »

Congratulations! I just completed my restoration. We can all assure you, you will be thinking about the car constantly. Have fun with it!

It's kind of hard to see from the photos but, it looks like you have a locking gas cap. Don't let that disappear during the restoration. They are very expensive to replace!

49er · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2011, 23:17:33 »

Good luck with your restorarion. I have been in love with these cars for over 45 years. Thanks for saving another.

John

jszeman1 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2011, 14:06:10 »

Nice early car, don't throw anything away! What is the build number or last numbers of the vin?

Thorpe Ride · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2011, 18:17:52 »

Thanks again guys for the comments..

As of now I do not have the vin on me but the last digits are 000745 if that helps any.

We are working on getting a set of keys made at the moment, next step is to drain and add new fluids, then see if she will run..

Both of us have a good feeling that she will fire up.

J. Huber · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2011, 18:39:17 »

Well, that would put it at a 63, all the better

. The headlamps suggest a euro model and its not unheard of that 63's get registered as 64's in the US since the first US-spec Pagoda came in 1964. (I think -- Achim?) Anyway, keep us posted!

Thorpe Ride · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2011, 19:05:33 »

We were actually not 100% sure of its year...At the moment the keys/title have not been located but the vehicle itself had to vacate its old home...Fortunate for my brother and I that my small dealership has plenty of room for such a lovely piece of history.

Does anyone have experience with titling companies like broadway etc if we have to go that route...

I have spoken to people that have gone that direction but maybe someone on here has some more experience?

jacovdw · « **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2011, 19:46:23 »

Well done on your barn find.
Looks like there is quite a lot of work to be done, but at the end of the day I'm sure it will be well worth it.
Good to know that another one is saved from neglect.

Quote from: Thorpe Ride on March 18, 2011, 18:17:52

...As of now I do not have the vin on me but the last digits are 000745 if that helps any...

That would make it an October 1963 vintage I believe.

From you photos it looks like a LHD manual transmission car, so I'm going to venture a guess as that the VIN might be 113 042 10 000745 perhaps?

Unfortunately I can't comment on the title companies, but I'm sure some of the US members will know.

graphic66 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 19, 2011, 13:58:25 »

Just go to your local dept. of motor vehicles with the vin#. You may be able to apply for a lost registration. I don't believe a '63 has a title. In NYS, titles are only for cars from the mid seventies on, I think it was '74. You may need a signature from the PO or the executor at worst. The Broadway place charges around $300.00 from what I have heard for a non title registration. They just register it in Alabama or somewhere where the laws are easier I believe, and give you an out of state certificate to get the car registered.

Thorpe Ride · « **Reply #15 on:** March 19, 2011, 14:06:26 »

I have friends that live in VT. My understanding is he can take the rubbing of the vin and the purchase order and register the car. Not sure if guys from New England states know or understand this but like mentioned before, due to the age of the car this could be a possibility.

clembeauch63712 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2011, 01:54:12 »

Hi Guys; congrats on your find so guys are just lucky.. I have owned car Vin 113 042 10 000712 a 1963 230 SL for 31 years and just finished a 20 yr resto that got set aside for years.. My production Date is stamp on the Line Data Card as 28 Okt 1963 . As John S. from NY said dont throw any thing away.. for example chrome & side trim pieces cost anywhere from $75 - 400. even the little alum ones at the front fender. I bought new molding clips - exact replmt from a nuts and bolts suply house made by Avecco Co that makes a whole line of automotive fastners & body clips. Please keep in touch as Im a retired long time mech. and just went thru it. All that chrome with green corossion will buff out. Contact Dave & Brad at Buds Benz for a start for a data card & production sheet..
Email me at clembeauch @ aol.com with any questions

perry113 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2011, 01:27:25 »

Wow.
I love this project you are taking on. Great comments from all. Like others have said, you have a very early car that still has all of its unique early distinguishing features. It's a great opportunity to restore her correctly to exact original detail. My best advise would be to completely document everything. I would photograph everything. Your car can answer a lot of questions about the early cars not only for yourself, but for others are looking for like John S.
Your seats look amazing. How are all of the interior panels? It's extremely rare to see 230SL with original interior surfaces. I was lucky to be able to salvage mine rather than recover as the new covers are just not the same.
I look forward to hearing about your journey to bring her back to where she once was. I would love to be of any help with questions you might have.
Best
Peter

Thorpe Ride · « **Reply #18 on:** March 23, 2011, 17:05:24 »

A couple different request for extra pics.. Got to thank John (0000671)

Last pic is of the two Euro's side by side avoiding this heavy PA rain today...

Jonny B · « **Reply #19 on:** March 23, 2011, 21:24:46 »

Also wishes of good luck on the project. We all just love to see photos of the restoration process, keep us posted!

perry113 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 23, 2011, 22:15:32 »

Love it!!!

Me and John S. want to come down to meet you and see her.
Peter

Thorpe Ride · « **Reply #21 on:** March 28, 2011, 13:12:24 »

Sunday, my brother was in town so we made the best of available time before he went back to MD. Injector's are pulled and I am going to line up a place to check/clean them today. We poured ATF down each cylinder, pulled the radiator, etc. These cars are new to us but we noticed the AC system is aftermarket, not sure if that was a dealer option or right from MB so this car did not have AC to start with. The motor did move but were going to give it a week to let things free up some more. Everything looks clean under the valve cover, antifreeze was green and free of obvious issues. Nothing bad to say and we got the approval of worthy project from an older MB tech that is guiding us for the Pagoda's own safety.

Thorpe Ride · « **Reply #22 on:** April 04, 2011, 15:51:05 »

Couple more updates:
We feel its safer to pull the head and make sure everything is in proper order. Working on getting new injectors at the moment, and also going to order an headgasket kit/hoses/etc...

Jonny B · « **Reply #23 on:** April 04, 2011, 18:31:22 »

Contact Dave Gallon regarding the injectors. He is a forum member and has very good pricing. (And I don't get any kick backs for recommending him, darn it!)

Thorpe Ride · « **Reply #24 on:** April 04, 2011, 23:44:55 »

Thank you sir...I will PM him right now.

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Author Topic: Brotherly love 64 Pagoda project (Read 17724 times)

Thorpe Ride

graphic66

Thorpe Ride

Thorpe Ride

Thorpe Ride

jacovdw

graphic66

Thorpe Ride

clembeauch63712

Thorpe Ride

Thorpe Ride

Thorpe Ride

Thorpe Ride