SL not to be missed

[ctm14]

   Came across this post on EBay.  I don't know what I like more the interior or the engine compartment.  The owner claims a 2.8liter electronic injection has been transplanted into this 230 making it essentially a 280SL.  Oh my god can you believe the creative license this guy has taken.  Anyhow I figured some of the experts here would have fun with this one.

 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1964-MERCEDES-BENZ-230SL-CONVERTIBLE-2-TOPS-EURO-MODEL-BLACK-BEAUTY-/350497200071?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item519b42d7c

[Benz Dr.]

That's the M110 280E engine. If it's the euro version it would be a pretty strong engine. Dual over head cams with hemi cumbustion chambers.

The engine bay looks like the dog's breakfast. Not very pretty with wires and stuff hanging all over the place.

I've worked on those engines. Not easy to work on and the fuel injected ones are worse than the carbed ones for getting at things. Exhaust manifold side is easy to get at.

[bogeyman]

Man, those seats are right out of "The House of the Rising Sun"

[JamesL]

Sorry, but as an outsider, I'm not sure I understand this fascination the US has with V8s. Especially in cars that never had them

[thelews]

Sorry, but as an outsider, I'm not sure I understand this fascination the US has with V8s. Especially in cars that never had them

Where's the V8?

[mdsalemi]

Sorry, but as an outsider, I'm not sure I understand this fascination the US has with V8s. Especially in cars that never had them

Yeah, where is the V8?

Anyway Tosh, I had the privilige and opportunity to test drive the "fleet" of 2012 C-Class cars recently, which included the I4 turbo C250; the V6 C350, and the V8 C63 AMG.  All wonderful cars, all capable powerplants.

National origin has nothing to do with anything.  One drive (you'd have to be the driver) in the C63 and all your questions will be answered.  It would be something like, "Oh, NOW I see...."  

[JamesL]

Michael

Agree but the AMG 6l is a very different beastie to a shortblock, for example

I'd love an AMG motor - if only because the loud pedal is so wonderful - why the Germans made an engine that sounds like a Merlin is a mystery to me!  However, heavy right foot and that engine + gas at $9 a gallon is not a great mix

[bsimaz]

My favorite part....

<snip>
Very steady even at over 100km/hr
</snip>

Woohoo....  That's pretty fast....  No wait...   what.... 

[peterm]

I like the new battery un secured in the truck with the rusted leads-  It would be interesting if it tipped over and arc'd on the rsuted metal tuink floor right on top of the fuel tank-  that would solve the problem with the disgusting seatcovers

[mdsalemi]

if only because the loud pedal is so wonderful - why the Germans made an engine that sounds like a Merlin is a mystery to me!

Loud?  Not the C63 I drove.  Docile, dignified, and just a hint of growl upon startup, just to let you know...  Granny could drive it uneventfully.  Put your foot into it and it will go very, very fast...0-100k in about 4.3 sec.  Quietly, with style and class.  The only noise will be your screaming at the gas pump.

Noise?  That would be the Boss 302 Mustang Laguna Seca Edition with 550+ HP that my wife somehow managed to get for the weekend.  I am sure that will be noisy.  Gas is at a low point here--about $3.25/gallon--and the weather will be warm and dry.  Hope she lets me drive it!   Not generally our cup of tea, but for the weekend it will be a fun experience!

[Garry]

Come on Michael, admit is you are just a hoon at heart

I agree the C63 can be a noisy beast but I guess if you are sitting inside driving you don't get to hear the glorious noise!

Garry

[GGR]

That car sold recently on eBay in California. The guy is flipping it.

[mdsalemi]

Come on Michael, admit is you are just a hoon at heart

Hoon?  Had to go to wiki for that:

Hoon is a derogatory term used in Australia and New Zealand, to refer to a young person who engages in loutish, antisocial behaviour. In particular, it is used to refer to one who drives a car or boat in a manner which is anti-social by the standards of contemporary society, that is, fast, noisily and/or dangerously.  Hoon activities can include speeding, burnouts, doughnuts or screeching tires.[1] Those commonly identified as being involved in "hooning" or street racing are young, predominantly male although increasingly female drivers in the age range of 17 and 35 years.

Well, I appreciate the fantasy that I might be young!

But honestly, the Mustang is a lot of roar, that throaty growl is with you constantly, a reminder that all of those 444 ponies are ready for you.  The C63 was quiet and dignified by contrast.  The 6-speed manual, I think it is a Ford-Getrag MT-82 was very easy to shift, but reminded me of how much I hate manuals and love automatics.  Maybe more of you standard shifters out there are like Michael Shumacher--but I'll take that 7-speed automatic in the C63 in a heartbeat.  It has nothing to do with torque matching, or performance or any of that rot: pure convenience. My wife's left leg is sore from driving home last night and using the clutch in traffic.  There's a certain crudeness to the Mustang, not because they can't make it better but because it is an icon that they take only carefully measured steps with...still has totally manual climate control, but at least the mirrors are electrically adjusting.  No, Bob Geco, it was not the Laguna Seca edition they only gave her the Boss 302 but not complaining.  Nice Pirelli P-Zero tires, great handling, Brembo brakes.
http://media.ford.com/images/10031/2012_Mustang_Boss_Specs.pdf
Alas, it goes back on Monday morning.  The cars are not in the same class per se and don't appeal to the same people, thus the ability to drive them "back to back" is interesting.  They are similar in size, are the most expensive models of their lineage, are well engineered products and both made to go very fast with performance the key feature.  Both have astounding amounts of horsepower for the size and weight of the car.  Permanent ownership would be quite costly in insurance and gasoline, and would cause you, after a while to either "give it up" because you don't use the power behind it...

...or drive like a hoon!  

[Sirasila]

73,628 KILOMETERS ON THE CLOCK (ACTUAL MILEAGE)!   How the heck is it the actual mileage if he transplanted it with an M110 engine?  One that looks like it's been through a few hundred thousand Kilometers actually.

There's no badge on the hood and the soft top looks like it needs immediate attention.  Those seats need to go right away too.
I think the car could be brought back to glory, but his description of how pristine it is needs to be addressed.

[Benz Dr.]

It all goes back to perception and what some people believe is a right car, a restored car, a fixed car, a sorted out car, mint, original, concours, flawless, imaculate, stunning, awsome, deadly, lick ass, hot, bad, cool, rad, and oh..... let's not forget '' classic. ''

  The car might be a complete POS, but it will still fall into one or more of the above descriptions in your local auto trader.

[mdsalemi]

Sirasila, at the last PUB there were an awful lot of our member's cars w/o the hood badge...

This eBay description should not even raise an eyebrow; it is quite typical, actually particularly when the seller really is not a private seller/owner, but someone trying to make a buck.  Not much different than buying from any of the (don't hit me Dan) classic car dealers who know next to nothing about these cars and their subtle points and certainly know nothing of originality.

[ctm14]

  Wow how bad things have gotten that this sellers description is not a surprise to some.  He may be honest in some statements but in others it is as if he doesn't think we are looking at the pictures.  I guess sometimes Ebay is a bit of comic relief.

[DaveB]

 mint, original, concours, flawless, imaculate, stunning, awesome, deadly, lick ass, hot, bad, cool, rad

was that L just a little close to the K or is that just new Canadian street lingo?