Forgive me in advance for a long rambling post. I need advice and believe this site and the dedicated pagoda aficionados here are the best, most honest place to obtain that wisdom. I’ve been monitoring this site (and a predecessor) since I obtained my first home computer and dial up internet service in 1991. I then tuned in over the years, with rapt interest, to mbebram’s heroics and Andy Burns epic restoration adventure.
In 1986, thru contacts at the local MB dealership, I was able to purchase a less than gently used 1969 280SL four speed. The car had been stored in a commercial building that was purchased by a regular customer of the dealership and was towed to the rear of their lot. It sat there for at least six months before I convinced the owner to sell it. The car was originally sold to an older woman who lived only a few miles from me. She subsequently sold the car four years later to a gentleman in his early twenties. The car spent the next successive years traveling up and down the northeast coast and the registration sticker indicates the last time the car was on the road was 1979. While accumulating 97k miles it appears the young owner seldom missed an opportunity to run into fixed objects. When I towed the car away the left front corner was damaged and the rest of the car had quite a bit of rust yet the interior was in good condition. While I still had connections at the dealership, I took advantage and ordered most of a new OEM body for the car. Quarter panels, inner and outer rear wheel wells, frame rails and covers, front fenders, inner fenders, reinforcing struts and headlight bucket and bulb holder. Life intervened with kids, house, changing jobs and even a return to school. All the while the pagoda was kept safe and dry in a barn, a relative’s garage, my own garage then a carport built in part to keep the elements away. Finally in 2004, I came across a shop that was starting out and they worked with me to repair the rotted rear frame members in front of the rear wheels. The work seemed adequate so I went on to let them replace the new frame rails and continued on to outer wheel wells, quarter panels, truck floor and inner and outer rear panel. In 2005 I dropped off my fuel injection pump and fuel pump to Hans at H&R in Long Island for a complete rebuild. Life intervened again with kids in College, career demands and two house moves. Which brings us to the present day. I am now retired, the car has been waiting and I’ve spent plenty of time disassembling, grinding, cleaning and assessing. The car is mostly complete but in addition to needing the front clip replaced all the mechanical and systems are in need of refurbishment after 40 years of hibernation. The 2004 work was not great. Gaps are poor and the welding suspect. I never had any visions of the car being anything more than a fun driver and that was the premise of the 2005 work. Now it seems even achieving that is beyond my capabilities and resources.
A few times in the past, I’ve inquired about selling to a few of the folks that advertise their interest in purchasing these cars. The offers basically equal the cost of a few of the parts I have laying on a shelf.
So, my question is, what do you esteemed folks think. Surely you’ve seen this numerous times. Do I load all the parts in the car, sell it for a song and take a financial beating or part it out? Rebuilt fuel injection pump and fuel pump, brand new (circa 1986) front fenders, inner fenders, support struts, inner and outer bumper mount, inner rear wheel wells, headlight holders all sitting on the shelf untouched. The soft top frame is crusty but in good working order as is the hard top. Theoretically the quarter panels might be removed as they still have the black OEM rust treatment. As you all know, these parts are not cheap and eclipse the price of the car. Or do you think the car with all the parts is worth more as a project package? I would gladly list it or the parts in the “for sale” section here at a fair price for the benefit of the members.
I’ll greatly appreciate your thoughts?
