1966 230SL - pulled the trigger!!!!

[Smokey73]

Just pulled the trigger on a 1966 230SL that I hope to get on the road by this fall. I initially thought to buy this to part out but based on what I'm seeing right now I think I might see if I can get it on the road for a few thousand and then go from there. It was running when it was brought in for painting but the owner went bankrupt and the title is going to the small farmtown shop in the settlement. It will have a title and as I understand it will not be a salvage title since it wasn't totaled to an insurance company and wasn't even wrecked when it was taken in. l have to assume it will not run but in fact it may since it was about 2 years ago. I'll put some oil in the cylinders, roll it by hand, charge the battery and see if it rolls easily. If it does l will drain the fuel, clean it up and see if I can get it started.

I'll try and post some pictures. Let me know what you think. I don't think the red on red was a recommended combination but I will be trying to get the data card from MB Classic. It a very late 1966 (December 1966). Does anyone know if this would have been titled as a 1966 or a 1967 in the US? All of the parts seem to be there. The hood is not shown but is there but blew off the car in a storm and is slightly damaged but not beyond repair. The windshield is gone as are the door windows and the wheels are wrong, but all the small pieces like the door handles, etc. are there. I don't know if the soft top is there or not. (It was 14 degrees when I got there to check it out.

I got it for less than $3000 so I figure I can't go wrong. What do you think?

[Smokey73]

More Pics

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Welcome to the forum ... best set up a special bank account .... all the best of luck to get her on the road ... should be a fun project

Keep us posted of the progress!

Happy New Year

[Jonny B]

Hard to tell from the photos, but I would think you got a hell of a good bargain at 3K. There is A LOT of help on the forum to make the initial "get it running" kind of set ups, and then you can decide from there on your options. When the temp is amenable do a very detailed look at the body. Did they just do a cover up type job on the paint, and is there rust lurking (a huge problem).

Again a lot of information is available, use the search function, and you will be amazed at the amount of info. Even to answer your question about the title.

And if the data is not there with the search, we are all here to help get another Pagoda on the road!
Welcome!

[Smokey73]

Jonny B - Thanks

It was not a paint over as I saw pictures of the stripped car to bare metal.  That does not mean it doesn't have rust though in other spots and that is probably the determining factor for if I restore or part out.  We'll have to wait and see.

I bought it with the intent of parting out but on the first blush it looks too good for that but can never tell.  I'm having it taken over to my brother's house who has a big storage barn where I can get it inside and take a closer look when I get back there in May.  I'll be doing research before I jump into this since I'm in not in a big hurry.  I have an 85 380SL that I drive for fun but would like to get the 230SL going.  If I do restore it I want it as a good driver unless there is some compelling reason to go whole hog.  I'm not much for trailer queens.  Are there any "driveability" upgrades forum members can suggest like shocks/tire combinations, bushings, etc? 

I've not decided what to do exactly but it will be predicated on two major factors I imagine - engine/drivetrain condition and rust (or lack thereof I hope).  But for the price I don't see how I can go wrong.

[rmmchl]

I would see if you can the engine running. The tranny and engine are worth the price you paid for the car, if they are good. If the hood and missing parts shown in your photos are correct, I would consider parting it out. If would cost a fortune to buy the hood, grill, chrome, interior, etc. Use the profits, if any, to buy you a Pagoda in better condition. Or buy another one, and use this as a parts car. If the engine and tranny are good, you could find a pagoda with a blown engine or transmission, and this would provide the donor drivetrain. This could be a pretty good situation you find yourself in. It does looks like many of the more expensive, hard to find parts are missing in the photos.    ( grill, star, hood, door panels. rocker trim and chrome ,etc.)

[Smokey73]

Most of those parts are actually there, just not on the car.  They were taken off for the painting and not put back on when the work stopped because the owner could not pay the bill (bankruptcy).  I am most concerned with the interior parts but I will make the decision about parting out after I get a better look.  The hood is there (I just took it off for the picture) as well as the door panels and interior/exterior knobs and handles.  There is some minor damage to the hood but it is not all bent up, just a ding or two.  It blew off the car in a storm as it was not attached at the time.

I feel at that price I have a lot of options so since I'm not in a hurry I'll just take my time in deciding.  The car has no "sentimental value" so the decision will be based on economics.  From a first look parting out is probably the best $ route but if its in pretty good shape rust wise and the engine/drivetrain runs I really hate to not have it restored by someone.  It can't always be about economics.  Guess we'll just have to wait and see. 

Smokey

[Garry]

Welcome to the Forum, as Jon said there is a wealth of information here that will assist in getting it back drivable.

If all the parts are mostly there and there is not a heap of rust then it would be a shame to part out what appears to be a great buy and starter project for a driver.

Garry

[jameshoward]

Welcome to the Forum, as Jon said there is a wealth of information here that will assist in getting it back drivable.

If all the parts are mostly there then and there is not a heap of rust then it would be a shame to part out what appears to be a great buy and starter project for a driver.

Garry

+1 - what he says! Interior parts are the easy ones. If that's all you're missing, it'll cost pennies to get her on the road.











...More or less. 

[rmmchl]

You are indeed in the drivers seat on this one. If all the parts are there, the decision is wide open depending on the body condition. Let us know how it turns out, if you decide to restore.  You have a lot of support on this site. WELCOME !-----YOU ARE NOW PART OF THE PAGODA FAMILY

[Jonny B]

I think the "non" sentimental value will most decidedly work in your favor. About the only major upgrade that a number of folks have made is the electronic (Petronix or 123) ignition, and of course there are others. This is a very useable car; it keeps up with traffic, has decent safety features (crumple zones, seat belts and the like), is quite reliable (once fettled in), is fun to drive and is a joy to look at.

We will all be quite keen to see how you proceed.

[114015]

Dear "Smokey"

(Have you got a real name ...?),

Cannot fully agree with what the others said.

Had your new car been presented to the elements like this for the last two years ....?? OMG !
The engine bay looks a bit like that; lots (too much) of surface rust.
If so you'll need a lot of penetrating oil...   :'(

Good luck & keep us informed.
Always love to see these returning back to the road (hope so ...)

Achim
(the taillight collector)