What do you see?

[Vander]

For my work I spend hours on the computer everyday looking at cars and thoroughly analyzing them, and this is a photo I came across I thought would share because the group may find it interesting. It could even be a member's car here?

This is a 280SL that is coming up for auction, and is advertised as being professionally restored. There is one thing that really stood out to me though, do you see it??? Hint: The engine bay is pretty, but will need to see a mechanic familiar with these cars if you want to enjoy it.

[badali]

The valve cover has an oil cap from a 230 SL and possibly the motor. 

[Tycoon]

The air filter and cover are missing. What is the spray can for?

Bill

[yves]

The mastervac should be satin black as the coolant tank ...

[Vander]

The air filter and cover are missing. What is the spray can for?

Bill

You found it!! In the bottom right corner there is a can of starting fluid (used to spray into the intake) sitting in the air canister where the air filter and lid have been removed. This tells me the car has difficulty starting and will need addressed.

Presumably at the physical auction this can will have been removed and the lid re-installed with no mention of the mechanical issue.

[mdsalemi]

The mastervac should be satin black as the coolant tank ...

Oui, yes. Yves is correct.
Not to mention the polished bits in there.

[rwmastel]

In addition, these things also make me question the experience of the professional restorer:
Polished valve cover.
No cad plating, everything in the linkage and the various brackets look like raw steel.
Hood bumpers are all together in the middle.

[Benz Dr.]

Some 280SL's have screw on oil fill caps.

[teahead]

not a good sign if it has trouble with cold start.

Relays, CSV, thermoswitch, etc. could any or all be messed up.

[ja17]

Also a non original purple jumper wire is going to the CSV., (also another sign of starting problems)

[Pinder]

I just kept thinking the three black rubber bumpers  for the hood by the firewall need to be spread out a bit.

[Vander]

Also a non original purple jumper wire is going to the CSV., (also another sign of starting problems)

Good eyes Joe!

[rwmastel]

This is fun!  Show us more pics from this "professionally restored" Pagoda.

[yves]

One more....
no strap to stop the hood forward !

[Benz Dr.]

Aside from over restored and under restored details, the rest is speculation.

[Garry]

Wrong hose clips?

[Benz Dr.]

Wrong hose clips?

Yeah, there's a number of small things that are wrong but the bones are OK. The paint work looks good and it could be detailed properly much more easily than a basket case. I'd love to start with something this wrong. 

[ja17]

The rubber "hockey stick" shaped cover is missing on the valve cover vent tube/fuel line to CSV.

[ja17]

Brake booster vacuum line routed wrong. Little plastic boot missing off the "ejector pin" of the hood latch. Coolant tube running to the venture from the WRD is routed incorrectly at the bracket in front of the valve cover. Distributor vacuum line is black rubber instead of white plastic and its clips are missing. The plastic collector sleeve for the spark plug wires is missing (black wire tie in its place). As Dan mentioned, it's still a very good start!

[J. Huber]

I may see something not exactly missing but maybe incorrect* : I always thought the younger models (250/280) did not have the black oval plastic shock tower covers?

*this may have already been mentioned...

JH

[lreppond]

Yeah, it’s far from an historically correct restoration and most of us here have eyes tuned into exact original details as evidenced by all the correct observations of inconsistencies.  But who knows when the photo was taken during the restoration process?  I believe it was taken somewhere during the process rather than the end.  On this one, I’m in total agreement with Dr Benz. I’d like to have started out with something so wrong too! 

[rwmastel]

But who knows when the photo was taken during the restoration process?  I believe it was taken somewhere during the process rather than the end.  On this one, I’m in total agreement with Dr Benz. I’d like to have started out with something so wrong too!

Vander said this was a picture from an auction which stated the car underwent professional restoration.  Who in their right mind would include a random pre- or mid-resto pic? Especially one that novices might believe to be a nice restoration?  (it is shiny!)  I think it's a restoration (or a flip) by a generalist, not a classic Mercedes enthusiast.

[Benz Dr.]

Keep in mind that most people are not as informed as we are. For the average viewer, a complete POS looks fantastic.

 Remember; beauty is in the eyes of the beer holder.

[Vander]

rwmastel is correct, this photo was not taken during restoration. This is the glamour shot and final product that the auction company is using to advertise the vehicle.

I shared this picture not to nitpick small cosmetic details which can be easily corrected by the next owner, but to educate members in a fun and informative way on how to further analyze cars being sold and also how not to sell a car.

Tycoon found the glaring problem hidden in the bottom right corner, to start the car you have to take it apart and use starting fluid. JA17 then found a small and supportive detail.

[MikeSimon]

Auctions Testosterone plays a big role in high prices. And to boot, there are bidders who have no idea what to look for in terms of authenticity/originality. You only need to look at all the comments on BaT.
I have never, and most certainly will never, buy a vehicle, any vehicle, at an auction.