what do you think of these 2 SLs at the Beverly hills car club?

[Invictus]

Hello all,

here is the first one, a 66 230SL??? I thought 65 was the last year they made the 230.

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/1966-Mercedes_Benz-230SL-578159.xhtml?conversationId=150273

is the rust on the front hood easily fixable?  like sanded down and repainted or needs to be cut out?  If it needs to be cut out, how much does cost for someone to do it?

How about the interior?  how much do the door panels cost and how about to restore the dashboard?

Also, it looks like the top does not fit even?  Why is that?  does that mean the car has been in an accident?

It does not have a soft top, how much does that cost?

Panels, top, steering wheel, are all these parts I can get prices for at the Mercedes Benz classic center in Irving?

Here is the second car a 69 280SL:

http://www.autotraderclassics.com/classic-car/1969-Mercedes_Benz-280SL-573006.xhtml?conversationId=150273

Does the driver seat needs to be replaced or can it be repaired?

Also, is that rust at the door panel?  By the way is it possible for the metal to just have discoloration and it is not rust?

[Jonny B]

You would really need to do a hard look at these cars in person, and with someone with background on the cars. Yes, they indeed made the 230 SL in 1966, but the car you have pictured is an early car as the spare tire in the trunk is in a foot well on the left hand side of the car. I do not know when the change was made, but that should be findable by the question just posed.

Answering other questions about restoration and other costs, is almost impossible to do with just photos to go by. There are too many perils and potentially hidden issues. An example would be the rust you ask about by the doors. That is quite possibly residual glue from the carpets, but to know for certain, you would need to look at the car. Lots and lots of questions here.

While $10K might seem cheap, the old dictum, there is no such thing as a cheap Pagoda rings as true as ever. There are a myriad of restoration costs.

Yes, a lot of parts can be obtained from the Classic Center, but there are also a lot of other parts supplies out there, as providers.

[jacovdw]

...the car you have pictured is an early car as the spare tire in the trunk is in a foot well on the left hand side of the car. I do not know when the change was made...

The change occurred in November 1964.

... I thought 65 was the last year they made the 230...

Production of the 230SL carried on until January 1967.

[badali]

The 230 SL is way over priced for the parts missing.  I added a soft top to my 230 SL since it came from the factory without one.  Frames on ebay seem to be around $3500 and need a canvas.  The operating condition of a used top can't really be tested untill it is on the car.  A bent frame may not be known until it is in the car.  From what I see missing you could easily spend $15-20K on parts.  You could find a more complete car for that money.

[Bob G ✝︎]

I would stay away from waht is called the  Beverly Hills car club. I live in Long Beach and travel to Beverly Hills quite often the show room is locked . it use to be run by Andy Cohen he had some nice examples. From what I saw in the show room were all wrecks with lots of missing parts. I did not see any Pagodas but  have called them on several occasions.

If you want a decent car subscribe to Jon Olsons SL Market letter.Even my  car a 1968 was mistreated and will need extensive body work to bring it back to a decent driver. I have already spent $5,000 and it need the another 7,000 in work to make it safe to drive. Good thing the value is not going down  on well keep SLs . So be careful about what you buy you also might want to purchase a  copy of John Olson book ( The SL Experience) you can get  a hold of john at
612 377-0155 he also does appraisals and consulting. another book I  recommend is  by W113 SL 230SL to 280SL a new book look on amazon .com I can not  fine my copy. it tell alot of production changes from 1963 to 1971 and to the new R107 280SL twin Cam
Bob Geco

Bob Geco

[P31-C63]

^^^thanks for the info on Jon Olsons and his newsletter--looks like another good website.
It took me a few minutes to find it, so I'll link it here!

Here's a direct link to the website http://slmarket.com/news/subscribe-to-the-sl-market-letter/

Also, thanks for the info on the Beverly Hills Car Club--I've been looking at their cars too, but they do seem underpriced, thus fulfilling the old saying of "you get what you pay for."

How's Gullwing Motors in NY? They seem to have some runners for "cheap" money. The owner was on Chasing Classic Cars showcasing his vehicles and he seemed like a good guy with quality cars?