Resto Porn

[JamesL]

http://www.classiccarworkshop.ie/280SL/280SL.html

[KevinC]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing!

[mmizesko]

That was awesome.

Mike Mizesko
Columbus, OH

[GGR]

That is surely an impressive job.

scrolling quickly through the pictures I could note that they didn't paint the trans support plate body color and the injectors lines don't seem to be as well positioned as they should. There issues can easily be addressed though.

Given that the shell was completely bare, I wonder if that wasn't an opportunity to have it dipped in acid and then electrolyzed for rust protection. I know some do not like the process as they say if the shell is not properly rinced out of the acid this could in fact create more rust problems than solving them.

Very nice job, in any case!

[Flyair]

Impressive indeed. Just wonder if this is the reflection of the happy owner when you look at the chromes pictured in the last photos?

In any case they is one photos missing: one that shows the pile of banknotes that was spent on this otherwise great restoration

[jameshoward]

It's very nice, but it is a shame that the attention to detail is lacking on what must be a very expensive job. Tom Colitt would have a field day!

[pj]

Wow. Is this the most complete record of a decent restoration that we have access to? I can't remember seeing a better set of pictures to learn from. Even your comments about certain minor issues are helpful, and prove the worth of this webpage. Or am I being too generous? All that is missing is cost figures and timeline, including the breakdown of labour hours.

Oh, and here's a question. I often ask my local buddies -- not Mercedes enthusiasts but I respect them nonetheless, and they put up with me -- if it's possible to do good body work without the much-maligned "filler" or "bondo." So how much of that stuff do you think was used in this restoration project?

Heh, I know this is just a hobby for us, but this story would make a textbook. A different restoration shop anywhere in the world would probably do just fine by promising a prospective customer to do their project this way and document the procedure like this.

[66andBlue]

I agree, it is quite instructive.
But what is vapour blasting? "Alloy parts back from Vapour Blasting "
What can vapour (or vapor) remove?

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Impressive ... well documented!

What do you Fellows think this restoration set the owner back?

1 ~ $50K to $60K

2 ~ $60K to $70K

3 ~ $70K to $80K

4 ~ $80K to $90K

5 ~ $90K to 100K

6 ~ $100K to $110K

I like the way it was documented, from the photos I assume he did most of the work himself.

[GGR]

These are hundreds of hours of work. If the person had it all done by professionals, given the cost of labor in the developed world, he will have spent a fortune, way above the market value of the car (though with latest prices reached at auctions, the gap may be narrowing).

[JamesL]

It's a business - ClassicCarreras in Ireland. Jon is saying it was a long slog and will stick to 911s from now on...

There may be bits that are not "correct" but someone now has a car they'll love, is solid and great to drive. Which is the point, surely

[jameshoward]

Stop calling me Shirley. That's the point, or as we call it in Cornwall, the 'full stop.'

(I couldn't find a 'pedant's corner' section on the forum, so am improvising just for you, James)

[JamesL]

Have you gone and invaded Cornwall?

[Garry]

In Australia to get that professionally done it would cost you a Number 6 and then a Number 4 if you were lucky.

Are James and Shirly in Cornwell?  Are there any women down there then?

[dseretakis]

I agree, it is quite instructive.
But what is vapour blasting? "Alloy parts back from Vapour Blasting "
What can vapour (or vapor) remove?

I suspect vapour blasting is the process of using dry ice to remove paint.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hi Alfred,

This may help (see attachment) ... looks like a wet high pressure blast operation.

[johnk]

I hope to start a similar restoration next year after I gain a better understanding of what to do right and not wrong, so I am curious to see what this group sees that was not done on this restoration correctly and not to the right level of detail?

By the way, I do plan documenting for this group my costs and time by step. I will be doing a large portion of it myself.

Thanks
John

[jameshoward]

John,

The car shown is probably well in excess of 90% correct. If you can match that level of work on your own, you should be very, very happy indeed. It's a great target to aim for. The incorrect stuff is small beer; what is and isn't painted correctly; the odd bit of rubber; clamps and some of the upholstery. Nothing much to fret about as James/Shirley Lester points out.

If you have a good daily driver, though, why not just enjoy it and make improvements as you go? A good read of Andy Burns thread may give you an idea of what you may be in for, and he seems very experienced. It leaves me cold!

JH

[RobSirg]

Hi John / All,

Agree that this is an amazing restoration and as I am about to start one so I am also looking to learn from all this......... And so happy to see it is a RHD for a change!!!

I can see  a few minor things that I wouldn't repeat but they have definitely gone above and beyond in more areas than they they have fallen short - so hats off them. I don't feel worthy of pointing out the little flaws we can all see on a truly beautiful car. This biggest for me is the firewall padding followed by a few engine components painted black instead of CAD plating if one was to get picky.

JH I started with a daily driver that was slowly and haphazardly restored which then became too good to drive (so I thought) and I then got the urge to do a full and proper restoration, which i haven't started yet. I don't have the resource$ to go as far as these guys did so I guess it will fall short in more areas than this one......but hopefully all hidden.

The best thing about embarking on another one is that I am now no longer afraid to drive my restored one......had great weather this week In Melbourne and it is back to being a daily driver (on these nice days).

Thanks for sharing  - I have picked up some helpful tips.

Cheers

Rob

[Flyair]

RobSirg,
I was just about to say that I was disappointed that they did not use this opportunity to correct the initial mistake, modifying this car from RHD to a decent LHD, as it should be, but let's face it: nowadays everything goes

[johnk]

Thanks Rob,

I actually do plan on driving it after I complete the restoration. There are just too many small things that need to be done, and it needs a repaint and new interior, and best way to do that is to start from a bare shell. For me its about being able to do it right and do it myself. I put many beautiful paint jobs on classic cars when I was young and still in school, but I didn't have the funds or facilities to take it down to a bare shell.  I don't believe it will be to expensive relative to the increase in the car's value when I am done. At this point I am assuming the most expensive items for me are going to be new leather interior and installation along with new top, seat pads, all new seals bushings weather stripping etc. through out the car, rechrome or replace right rear bumper, powder coating and cadmium plating as needed, and beer for the helpers. I just finished rebuilding the head and the engine only has 75,000 miles on it with no visable cylinder wear, but once we strip the engine down to the block to refinish it we will probably start thinking "why not at least put new bearings and rings in it while apart?. I am lucky that the last owner already rebuild the front end and replaced many mechanical components that could add up.

John

[66andBlue]

Hi Alfred,
This may help (see attachment) ... looks like a wet high pressure blast operation.

Indeed it does, Rolf-Dieter, thanks for the information.
Reading this explanation "The key to vapor blasting is that the finish is produced through flow of water borne abrasive ..." gives me the impression, however, that there is no "vapor" involved, just water spray (very hot perhaps?) under high pressure and with fine particles mixed in.

[RobSirg]

Im very envious John that you can do the work yourself whereas I don't have the time or the talent (young family coupled with monthly overseas work trips). So the reverse is true in my case, where redoing the interior will be least costly component of the restoration.  Glad to hear you will be driving it.

Rob

[johnk]

Rob,
I could not do it when my kids were young either. My last one graduates from College in a year and a half, so the time and money will start to free up...hopefully!

[RobSirg]

Don't talk too soon....my oldest graduated a few years ago and No.2 starts university in 2 years time....but I now have 2 y.o twins ......and I'm not talking about my 2 Pagoda's. .........And as they are all girls the wife(2) is still considering trying for a boy. I'm trying to reason with her that my latest Pagoda is a boy (stick shift).