Author Topic: Finding the Red Car (Read 42844 times)

getsmart · « **Reply #50 on:** December 11, 2018, 10:34:30 »

Hi all its been a long while since I posted on this subject and finally I received the best news I could hope for. I ended up sending an email to the Mercedes Australia/Pacific CEO (using some clever detective work to determine his email address) who passed on my request of assistance to the Head of Media Relations and Product Communications. He contacted the Classic Centre in Germany.

I basically asked if they could check the data cards as per below for Paint Code 568 Signal Red and they came back with this reply which has been translated from German.
113042-20-002026 - check this
113042-20-002126 - check this
113042-20-002226 - check this
113042-20-002326 - check this
113042-20-002426 - check this
113042-20-002526 - check this
113042-20-002626- check this
113042-20-002726 - (this is mine)
113042-20-002826 - check this
113042-20-002926 - check this

The Classic Centre answer....
“We checked on the below listed VINs. None of those have a data card containing the paint code, besides the one of ‘the owner’. That’s good news, the last little doubt is, whether the chalk letters on the windscreen mean the last digits of the chassis number. Contemporary witnesses are no more available.”

This reply is enough for me to be convinced that this is my car. What are the chances of that happening? A big thankyou for Andy Burns for being the man who got me started on this search.

I'll now restore the car to the original specs.

Rgds to all, Joe

PS. And thanks to Garry Marks for unlocking this old thread!!!

andyburns · « **Reply #51 on:** December 11, 2018, 16:11:21 »

That's awesome new. I always was sure it was yours. I would love to see some recent photos of your car. What an awesome piece of history!

getsmart · « **Reply #52 on:** December 12, 2018, 02:11:41 »

Quote from: andyburns on December 11, 2018, 16:11:21

That's awesome new. I always was sure it was yours. I would love to see some recent photos of your car. What an awesome piece of history!

Andy I've attached a few photos - the body is on a rotisserie and almost ready to paint, has been in that state for more than 5 years

nothing exciting....

kampala · « **Reply #53 on:** December 12, 2018, 04:02:10 »

Getsmart

Sure seems like the red car very well might be yours. Nice work getting Mercedes to check the other VINs. Pretty cool.

andyburns · « **Reply #54 on:** December 12, 2018, 04:39:20 »

I remember the excitement thinking that that car in that photo may have been mine. And the disappointment finding out that it wasn't. Is an absolute iconic 113 photo and I'm so happy that one of our members has discovered after so long that his car is the one featured. An absolute superb piece of Mercedes photographic history saluting the 113 history. I really hope that this confirmation has given you the urge to press on and finish your car back to factory standards. If there's anything I can do to help please call on me.

getsmart · « **Reply #55 on:** December 12, 2018, 10:58:27 »

Quote from: andyburns on December 12, 2018, 04:39:20

I remember the excitement thinking that that car in that photo may have been mine. And the disappointment finding out that it wasn't. Is an absolute iconic 113 photo and I'm so happy that one of our members has discovered after so long that his car is the one featured. An absolute superb piece of Mercedes photographic history saluting the 113 history. I really hope that this confirmation has given you the urge to press on and finish your car back to factory standards. If there's anything I can do to help please call on me.

Yes Andy I'm sorry it wasn't yours, you've given so much to the forum. I think I could speak for all here that we rode every bump, every low and every high with you because you took so much time to keep us involved. That committment couldn't have been easy! And so pleased though that by some trillion to 1 chance that its mine - who could ever have known! And its all thanks to you! If you were female I'd kiss you on the lips!

well you get the gist!

getsmart · « **Reply #56 on:** December 12, 2018, 11:09:48 »

Quote from: kampala on December 12, 2018, 04:02:10

Getsmart

Sure seems like the red car very well might be yours. Nice work getting Mercedes to check the other VINs. Pretty cool.

Thanks Kampala - more than very well might be mine - by process of elimination there can be little doubt - and I wasn't willing to say that until I had those data cards checked!

Garry · « **Reply #57 on:** December 12, 2018, 21:09:31 »

Joe was asking last night about the photo of this that was in I believe the Laurence Meredith Mercedes book but not sure as i cannot access my books that are in storage at the moment due to house renovations.

Can others have a look at their collections and let Joe know what publication the photo is in.

Norm · « **Reply #58 on:** December 12, 2018, 22:03:24 »

I am sure the picture is represented in multiple publications but it can be found in the "Mercedes-Benz , SL W113 Series, 1963 - 1971, by Brian Long". Page 115. The underlying caption advises that the picture was used in the 250 SL catalogue.

Norm

Added: I also found the picture in "Mercedes W113 The Complete Story by Myles Kornblatt". Page 82. The caption mentions: "The end of the line at the Sindelfingen plant shows the little differences for each market with a right hand drive car without side mirror, an Italian car with side marker lights, a French car with yellow headlights and an American car with the different headlight arrangement."

getsmart · « **Reply #59 on:** December 13, 2018, 19:47:22 »

Quote from: Norm on December 12, 2018, 22:03:24

I am sure the picture is represented in multiple publications but it can be found in the "Mercedes-Benz , SL W113 Series, 1963 - 1971, by Brian Long". Page 115. The underlying caption advises that the picture was used in the 250 SL catalogue.

Norm

Added: I also found the picture in "Mercedes W113 The Complete Story by Myles Kornblatt". Page 82. The caption mentions: "The end of the line at the Sindelfingen plant shows the little differences for each market with a right hand drive car without side mirror, an Italian car with side marker lights, a French car with yellow headlights and an American car with the different headlight arrangement."

Thanks Norm I've ordered the 2nd one,

Rgds, Joe

getsmart · « **Reply #60 on:** March 21, 2022, 20:46:29 »

Hello all,

Finally I got my old German girl into paint. - Signal Red 568

3 coats of Glasuirt 55 Basecoat and 2 coats off Glasurit 923-255 HS Multi Clearcoat.

The painting session didn't go without its near disasters but somehow I managed to work my way through them not the least being my compressor stopping when I was on the last panel on the final clearcoat!!!!

I have some runs to remove and some wet sanding but hardly any orange peel.

Rgds,

Joe

Pawel66 · « **Reply #61 on:** March 21, 2022, 22:19:52 »

Looks good!

Where are the runs? Sure you want to remove? There were factory runs here and there, you would want them to be there.

getsmart · « **Reply #62 on:** March 21, 2022, 22:23:59 »

Hi Pawel,

The runs are on the body in the clear - I will remove them - I did strategically place some runs on the underside of the hood

well thats my story anyway $:-\$

Quote from: Pawel66 on March 21, 2022, 22:19:52

Looks good!

Where are the runs? Sure you want to remove? There were factory runs here and there, you would want them to be there.

Pinder · « **Reply #63 on:** March 21, 2022, 23:50:27 »

Really good job. Its amazing what can be done with wet sanding and removing runs.

getsmart · « **Reply #64 on:** March 22, 2022, 00:30:34 »

Yes I agree Pinder, as long as one follows the correct steps including the correct grit and cutting/polishing compound, it is truly an art but you do have to have an eye for detail and some skilled hands and eyes. Practice on something else first would be my main advice

Quote from: Pinder on March 21, 2022, 23:50:27

Really good job. Its amazing what can be done with wet sanding and removing runs.

johnk · « **Reply #65 on:** March 22, 2022, 02:22:59 »

Two layers of clear coat can be a bit thin for cutting and buffing. Just stay away from the corners with your sandpaper.

Garry · « **Reply #66 on:** March 22, 2022, 02:42:29 »

Looking good Joe and nice to see it advancing along.

getsmart · « **Reply #67 on:** March 22, 2022, 02:44:19 »

Easy to say John, but harder to do!!!!

but I don't intend to go near the edges and everything I do is always on the conservative side - I'm careful

Quote from: johnk on March 22, 2022, 02:22:59

Two layers of clear coat can be a bit thin for cutting and buffing. Just stay away from the corners with your sandpaper.

getsmart · « **Reply #68 on:** March 22, 2022, 02:45:37 »

Thanks Garry - need to grab those hubcap stencils from you sometime

Who knows one day might even be able to go for a drive with you!!!

Quote from: Garry on March 22, 2022, 02:42:29

Looking good Joe and nice to see it advancing along.

Garry · « **Reply #69 on:** March 22, 2022, 03:34:45 »

Joe,

Down in Melbourne on 2-3 Apri cleaning up house for rent if you want I can bring down and you can pick up from Middle Park.

getsmart · « **Reply #70 on:** March 22, 2022, 05:06:32 »

that works, I'll ping you next week to organise

thankyou

Quote from: Garry on March 22, 2022, 03:34:45

Joe,

Down in Melbourne on 2-3 Apri cleaning up house for rent if you want I can bring down and you can pick up from Middle Park.

DaveB · « **Reply #71 on:** March 22, 2022, 11:01:43 »

That’s good progress! Did you paint it right there?

getsmart · « **Reply #72 on:** March 22, 2022, 11:16:39 »

Thanks Dave good to hear from you. Yes painted right there in my makeshift booth in the garage.

Quote from: DaveB on March 22, 2022, 11:01:43

That’s good progress! Did you paint it right there?

getsmart · « **Reply #73 on:** April 13, 2022, 12:38:59 »

And after 10 long years the old girl is off the rotisserie. I did this all on my own using caravan stands and acrow props. Does anyone think 12 jacks is overkill? Who said I was paranoid!!!!

stickandrudderman · « **Reply #74 on:** April 14, 2022, 11:13:48 »

600 hours to go!

News:

Author Topic: Finding the Red Car (Read 42844 times)