Star Shots! - Show us your Ride

Post by **AMG** » Mon 05 Mar, 2007 10:50 am

Post Pictures of your car here!

Don't forget to include details such as year, colour etc.
If your car has a story, for example; how you came across it, - put it in here with the pictures. It's always nice to read someone else's experiences.

If you've done any modifications / improvments, Here's the place to show them off - Post lots of pics!

It's not a bad idea to revisit your post every now and then, to make sure your pictures are still up. We'd also like to encourage those who do post a Project car, and supply us with updates, to come back to your original post and edit it, rather than make a new post each time, by replying. It will help keep all your pictures and progress in one spot!

It also makes your post MUCH easier to view.

If you're unsure on how to upload pictures, go to the posting tutorial on the main board and try the test posting page, Don't forget to sign yourself up for a free account on imageshack / photobucket etc.. if you haven't already.

Show us ya Pics! :)

Make those Stars Shine!

Post by **kaiser** » Tue 06 Mar, 2007 2:53 pm

I'll kick this off then:

Here is my 71 model 6.3 ("merlin") DB906 blue

Previous owner converted it to LPG - :(

Mods: always doing something to it - he is a work in progress. Mainly trying to restore him to the way he was after much unsatisfactory work in the past by previous owners. Leather to be done soon. living with MBTex until then

Mods: other than the LPG, he now has a twin pipe exhaust - 600 style

Now has a factory rear fog light too. pics to follow.

Post by **bahnstormer109** » Tue 06 Mar, 2007 8:50 pm

Heres an update to this old post with better pics of my 300SEL 3.5

35toowoomba.jpg

P1030374.JPG

P1030488.JPG

Post by **John Green** » Tue 06 Mar, 2007 9:52 pm

You have got to bring merlin to "Wheels" this weekend. That is a stuning looking car

Post by **OzBenzHead** » Tue 13 Mar, 2007 12:01 am

1970 W108 280SE auto

Acquired in 1981 from original owner - my family doctor. I drove this car when it was less than one week old (I was 21!), and decided then and there that I must, some day in the unforeseeable future - probably when I was about 94! - own one of these fantastic cars.

He was at first my special-occasions / Sunday-drive car, but he was so pleasant and reassuring to drive that he eventually became my daily driver for over two decades.

He has 516,000+ miles on the clock; a major engine rebuild occurred at about 448,000 miles (blew a head gasket, and the rest followed while the head was off).

His reliability is legendary; he has been undriveable for more than a day on only three occasions: a dead fuel pump (replaced with a secondhand one for $100); the engine rebuild (a lot of $$, but about 10 years ago so the pain is forgotten); and a king-pin failure (at 502,000 miles).

I think he is my all-time, all-round favourite.

I call him Karl Benz, after - well, guess who!

Note: The third photo is large, so is only a link. Probably not a good visit if you have a slow connection!

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/ ... rior03.jpg

Website · Post by **ADow** » Sun 01 Apr, 2007 7:04 pm

This is Don Ottavio.
I've had him for five years - he's my daily driver and he has only failed to proceed once in that time. I bought him because he had a straight, rust free body and good interior, and because I lost any sense of objectivity when I first saw the car. It was love at first sight. Once reality set in it became clear that, with the exception of the bottom end of the motor, many of the systems needed to be rebuilt. It's totally overcapitalised and I'll be an old man before I recoup my investment but the end result is a car that feels almost like a new car, and when the diff hanger bush is replaced he will feel like a new car. It's also been a great hobby, and I've become increasingly confident to do things myself, as long as it does not require the car to be off the road.
One day I'll take the engine out and recondition and tidy up the engine bay.
ps. And Merlin is magnificent John.... (sigh)

Post by **Tony T** » Sun 01 Apr, 2007 9:22 pm

Alastair, that is a great looking car.
As much as I enjoy my 114 as a project and it's really lovely to drive, "Don" really has so much more 'road presence' and style.
I'd be very proud to own one like him.
However, I reckon I've already spent more than my 114 is worth, but you know how it is, out driving on a day like today, you kinda forget the cost.
And so you should.........................

Post by **Stephen** » Tue 17 Apr, 2007 10:40 pm

I was recently having a play around on the test post page and was surprised by the responses to my picture, so, in order to secure my 15 minutes of fame, I will now proceed to bore anyone who doesn't have something more important to do.

This is a recent photo of my 1966 250S. After many years of only having a motorcycle or two for transport, the onset of middle age and a new girlfriend dictated the need for something 1) more socially acceptable and 2) more appropriate for cold, wet nights. As my employer provides me with a take-home vehicle, I could afford to be a little self-indulgent.
At first I was even more naive than I am now, and started daydreaming about a British car from the '60s. I even went window shopping and test driving! But having had a British motorcycle at one time, and realising that, as much fun as it is spending every 3rd or 4th weekend in the garage, the purchase of a Pommie car was a risky venture, particularly as I was looking well below the price range of a decent one.
I noticed an ad for a 250S in the Sydney Morning Herald and at that point had no idea about Mercedes Benz at all, I mean, not a clue, but decided to look into it anyway. The car was being sold by a guy who was the second owner of about 18 months and was being posted to London for work and was either unable or unprepared to keep it. It had only 84k miles on it, confirmed by a log book kept from new. Not bad for a 34 year old car I thought. Church on Sundays stuff! The log book showed oil changes at 750/800 miles, strange, until you noticed the 12 month intervals. It even showed when the interior had been Armoralled and what sort of polish had been used on the paintwork! As well as all the mechanical attention it had received. The original owner must have had some mechanical aptitude, as suspension and fluids received regular attention.
The seller (Peter) told me that he bought the car from the original owner's grandson (I presume Grandad had passed on and the family was doing what some families do at such times) and when he went to view the car, was shown to a (rather large) garage/shed that revealed the 250S parked next to a Rolls Royce parked next to an Austin Healey parked next to a '34 Benz (so I was told). Hence the number plates-the RR had personalised plates. I tell anyone who asks me about them that the bloke who sold me the car told me it was a Rolls Royce!
Needless to say, I was pretty bloody keen, but my younger brother (born in 1966) insisted on making sure that this was not another one of Stephen's follies. So I returned th next weekend with him and took much pleasure in watching his eyes widen and jaw drop.
The deal was done and I was the proud owner of a vehicle I knew was a good one, but knew little of the marque or model. When I got home I found two boxes of spare parts in the boot, as well as the blue binder Service Manual, the original price list (with the 250S circled - $7328 fyi or 3664 quid - in 1971 a Kingswood cost about $1600 ) and a brochure for the 220 series.

Well, that was over 6 years and 40k miles ago. I try to look after Roger (a not so cryptic reference to the number plates) to the best of my capabilities, but he is my only transport to go shopping, tow the tinny to the boat ramp, go to the movies or on holidays. He is not perfect and not a show-pony.
I've always loved older vehicles - trains, planes or automobiles, boats, whatever, and I enjoy getting bailed up in the street or at traffic lights "is that your car?".
I could have bought a sensible little mid 90s Korean car for similar money....
But it wouldn't allow me access to the unwritten understanding that is in places like this forum, or at historic vehicle displays or events or bring a lump to your throat like the sound of the 3801 cresting a 1 in 200 gradient ..................but I digress.
Not so long ago, driving through Bankstown, I spotted a convertible E-type Jag behind me, as I slowed at red lights, he pulled up beside me, leaving a car length or two in front of him, and said with a wink "nice car, wrong country". Horses for courses I say. I suspect his paint job cost him more than my car did.
Finally,I've got to say that the credit for the condition of this car is not mine, it belongs to the bloke who circled 250S on that piece of paper 41 years ago and kept it under a dust cover (also in the boot) for as long as he was responsible for it.
Best wishes to all,
Stephen

Not a show pony

Post by **AMG** » Tue 17 Apr, 2007 10:50 pm

Not a show pony, but it's in bloody incredible condition. I saw that high-res pic the other day.

I couldnt get over how immaculate the paint is. Still cant.

Best I have ever seen, I'm sure.

Post by **420 SE** » Wed 18 Apr, 2007 6:19 am

Beautiful!!

Website · Post by **ADow** » Thu 26 Apr, 2007 9:28 pm

Stephen's car is a thing of beauty!!

Re Chrissy D's misfire -
See new thread called 3.5 Misfire.

Post by **AMG** » Wed 23 May, 2007 8:35 pm

2 shots @ random outside my place of work during lunch.

not a bad look.....

Post by **saa** » Thu 24 May, 2007 12:47 pm

Looks like one that was for sale at a dealer in Wollongong about a year back (when I was looking for mine I saw one with 18in AMG wheels)

Not sure on the exhaust tips though.

Post by **sen** » Wed 30 May, 2007 12:40 am

My 108..

Needs gearbox rebuild, currently just slips when you try to drive it.. struggles to get up to speed.. considering just replacing the engine/box with a newer combo from a later merc? (eg 70s/80s merc, not talking NEW models!).. any suggestions?

Also needs paint (boot especially), and a general tidy up..

Got the car for free in exchange for some work I did.. Always wanted one, so jumped at the chance.. body is straight, no damage, no rust, and everything works (apart from above-mentioned issues).. but it's a long-term project..

Plans are:
- Engine/box (either from later merc or similar-model merc)
- Fresh coat of black
- Tidy/retrim seats
- Wheels/whitewalls

Post by **MB300D81** » Wed 30 May, 2007 12:56 am

This car will run very well once the star on the bonnect is fitted. Trust me on this.

Congratualtions mate :)

Post by **saa** » Wed 30 May, 2007 12:02 pm

haha I was thinking the same thing!

Black/cream combo looks good. And you're lucky to have no rust.
Needs some 20% tints for the full mob boss look though!

Post by **CraigB** » Fri 01 Jun, 2007 12:15 am

Hi Sen

I suppose you have done all the checks like your trans fluid level - from memory check it on level ground and with engine running (?).

From the grille it looks like a 250? If so, even if it is fuel injected it will be quite different to later models and a swap could be quite complicated. The easy fix would be just the trans. I think mbspares sells second hand ones with limited warranty? - Quite a robust box so if it was me I would also consider cheap rusty cars that come up from time to time at say $500 and even if it blows smoke, if you take it for a thrash and the box feels good you could scavenge that and any other parts.....might even have a star!

I love black Mercs and have considered a colour change on one of mine. What colour is the internal top vinyl trims and the trim around the doors and also the carpets?

.... and apologies for not doing this as a seperate post outside this photo one..... in a rush!

Post by **saa** » Fri 09 Nov, 2007 6:25 pm

Took a few shots of my merc a few months back after polishing it.
Had it since July 06. It's a 69 280SE. Has the injected 6.

Post by **OzBenzHead** » Fri 09 Nov, 2007 8:28 pm

saa: What can I say?

Droool.
My Karl Benz (white 108) is nice, but yours looks special! :mrgreen:

Be proud of it. (I notice it's a neuter, not a boy or a girl car. :? )

Post by **saa** » Mon 12 Nov, 2007 10:42 am

Thanks.

It looks nice there all polished up and in the sun.
I plan on getting some whitewalls painted on to it soon. I think that should really set it off.

Closer up you can see a few rust bubbles coming through. It should be off to surgery early next year once I start my new job and then I'll be very happy with the outside.

I've never been one to name, or assign a sex to a car. Sorry OBH.

Post by **108mad** » Fri 14 Dec, 2007 12:43 am

Here's my work in progress...'72 3.5:

More work is needed, but I'm not in a hurry! :D

Post by **saa** » Fri 14 Dec, 2007 12:13 pm

wow, nice looking interior there!
have you had a redone, or is it just well maintained?

Post by **108mad** » Fri 14 Dec, 2007 3:04 pm

saa wrote:wow, nice looking interior there!
have you had a redone, or is it just well maintained?

Thank you sir! I had it redone the moment I got the car, as the previous owner kinda left her for dead. But I say it was time and money well spent..made all the cuts and bruises worth it too!

Post by **Kiwi108** » Fri 21 Dec, 2007 11:57 am

Hello from Kiwiland, as Dame Edna calls it. Yes the home of the current Wallabies coach and many other exotic and possibly endangered species. Thanks for letting a 'foreigner' on the board. Actually I have quite a few Aussie connections, mainly though family and do have an Aussie girlfriend. She is from Lismore NSW -obviously I didn't run quite fast enough.

Gretel

Pretty in Sepia

Gretel the 71 280SE is my first Merc, and I kind of slipped into the strange obessession that I notice in others inhabiting this spendid message board. She was in pretty good nick when I got her and as time has allowed I've fixed the minor and some not so minor faults. She's running extremely well now as I've just completed an rear axle swap and done the front subframe mounts. She now runs a V8 diff from a 3.5 and at 3.46:1 she's a different beast.

I've almost completed all the work I wanted to get done before Christmas (07) with fresh tranny fluid a filter. I'm taking her from Auckland to the Southern Alps regions of NZ's South Island. She's been there before as you can see by the pictures. I'm really looking forward to the open road in a car that's 37 years old. It's the only 37 year old car I'd contemplate for this trip. The longer the drive the better she runs.

Aorangi/Mt Cook NZ's higest peak in center background

Nothing better than when your Merc is colour matched to the sky

Snow, yes it was cold

Gretel looking very European

For a short Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x6T-5-1ieU

Website · Post by **ADow** » Fri 21 Dec, 2007 1:18 pm

Dear Kiwi108 - can you describe how you diagnosed your subframe mount issue and how you replaced the subframe mounts.
You might like to start a new topic on this.
Welcome to the forum and to the world of 108/9 afficianados.
Thanks
Alastair

Post by **Kiwi108** » Sat 22 Dec, 2007 10:46 am

Sure Alastair, it was pretty straight forward, took me about an hour and half to do, I'll start a new topic as you suggest. Merry Christmas!!

Post by **Shiva** » Thu 03 Jan, 2008 12:31 am

I would like to share my Mercedes 1971 300SEL 3.5 photos. When I was in New Zealand I was the member of the Canterbury Mercedes club in Christchurch. I had couple of W123s (250 and 280E), W116(450SE) and W107(450SL). In AUS I had a W124(280E) and sold it couple of years ago. This time I wanted to have one of the 60s models, which have more character in my opinion. I think this car is in good condition.

Post by **saa** » Thu 03 Jan, 2008 1:12 pm

Looks like a nice one you have there shiva.
Paint looks good, and no visible rust bubbles

Post by **Shiva** » Thu 03 Jan, 2008 1:29 pm

saa wrote:Looks like a nice one you have there shiva.
Paint looks good, and no visible rust bubbles

Thanks Saa, I hope its good. It even has the original Becker Radio/cassette and original crossply spare. Leather seats to be reupholstered.

Website · Post by **ADow** » Sun 06 Jan, 2008 2:47 pm

Very tidy indeed Shiva - is the paintwork original? Can you post a pic of the engine bay and the dashboard area?

Website · Post by **ADow** » Sun 06 Jan, 2008 2:53 pm

Sure Alastair, it was pretty straight forward, took me about an hour and half to do, I'll start a new topic as you suggest. Merry Christmas!!

Thanks - looking forward to it. It's a project that I might do myself with the right instructions.
Alastair

Post by **Shiva** » Wed 09 Jan, 2008 9:40 pm

ADow wrote:Very tidy indeed Shiva - is the paintwork original? Can you post a pic of the engine bay and the dashboard area?

Alastair, I have uploaded pictures of engine bay and Burl-Walnut dash board areas. I think the car was resprayed few years ago.

Shiva

Website · Post by **ADow** » Wed 09 Jan, 2008 11:45 pm

Thanks - very nice indeed!
Alastair

Post by **MrGoatass** » Tue 22 Jan, 2008 7:18 pm

Hi all,

Just came across this forum and thought i'd add a pic or two of my 1971 280SE 3.5. Her name is Ilsa.

CAKNMX2P1.jpg

CIMG0320copy.jpg

She broke down on the way home from our wedding then she sat in my garage untouched for over 18months. I have only just got her back on the road and I'm loving it.
I'd love to put A/C in her but am having a hard time finding any.

Cheers
Troy

Post by **John Green** » Tue 22 Jan, 2008 7:29 pm

Try again with the pictures, you need to use the upload attachment button that is below the box you type your text into. Make sure to hit the "Place inline" button after it has loaded up.

Post by **Aegean** » Mon 18 Feb, 2008 10:31 pm

Here is mine. 1970 model - nothing special about it's history.

Post by **Rauchen** » Thu 17 Jul, 2008 2:25 am

Here are some pics of my newly purchased 1971 280sel tell me what you think

benz5.jpg

benz4.jpg

benz3.jpg

benz2.jpg

bens1.jpg

Post by **SCLASS1STCLASS** » Sun 12 Jul, 2009 6:47 pm

Hi All

It has taken me too long to do this but I have finally got picks of my "old banger". I have owned this car since 2000 and I am the second owner. Amazingly, she still has her original rego from 1971. She hasn't had a great deal done. Mainly, front end bushes and king pins and the like and a repaint of the boot lid and rear guards due to crazing. The interior is 100% original and vertually factory fresh. Will post some pics of trim at some stage.

Cheers
Carey

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P120709_09.30[02].JPG

Post by **IH8** » Sun 13 Dec, 2009 4:00 pm

Post by **sketchypip** » Wed 13 Jan, 2010 2:39 pm

Greetings gents.

Thought seeing as I have now crossed to the darkside away from my usual diet of old BMW's to old Benz's I should chuck up some snaps of my latest addition to the stable. Some of you guys will probably recognise this car from other forums when it belonged to my good friend and serial car pornography purveyor Q but if not enjoy :)

Car in question is a 1972 300sel W109 6.3 that has had nearly a hundred thousand dollars in restoration thrown at it by a previous owner (who was actually an Indonesian prince). Suffice to say, its pretty neat :D Motor,body,paint and interior have all been done as part of the resto and its a very nice place to be at any time, day or night.

I cant take any credit for the above photos, Q is a master lens man.

Here's a few from my collection however.

Cheers guys!

Post by **AMG** » Wed 13 Jan, 2010 5:14 pm

Goodness Gracious Me!

WOW!

Fantastic

Post by **benzfan** » Wed 13 Jan, 2010 9:30 pm

I never get tired of looking at that car 8)

Post by **Rennen** » Fri 12 Feb, 2010 3:53 pm

Hello members. I have already posted on the forum but neglected to tell my story – sorry!

I bought my 250S at a Shannon’s auction a couple of years ago. It was a one owner car in the same colour combo as one my father owned when I was a teenager. In reasonable condition and all the fittings intact I did the absentee bidding while overseas. A midnight phone call a few days later revealed I was the new owner of Stimpy (another story behind that name).

Since arriving on the Melbourne/ Brisbane truck, Stimpy has been subject to only minor cosmetic work and has been used sparingly. I have some plans for him but only minor and in keeping with his 43 years.

Here are some recent photos and if you see us on the occasional school run, or popping to the post office, be sure to say hi.

Post by **IH8** » Tue 16 Feb, 2010 7:42 pm

Did a drive down the Great Ocean Road and through the Otways on Sunday.

Website · Post by **ADow** » Fri 19 Feb, 2010 12:03 pm

Great pic with the brooding clouds and the stormy sea in the background - sets off the car really well.
Alastair

Post by **MiMike** » Mon 22 Feb, 2010 4:44 pm

IMG_1516.JPG

Post by **MiMike** » Mon 22 Feb, 2010 4:53 pm

IMG_1514.JPG

Hi All, Here are a few pics of my 1971 280Se 3.5l.... Notice the little sister sitting in the background. 1971 250Ce...

Post by **11SLI** » Fri 16 Apr, 2010 9:03 pm

FINALLY its here...
brought a MINT 1970 280SE Merc in Navy Blue with English Cream Interior with the 2.8L fuel injected 6cyl and 4spd auto...

It has an original 80,600 miles on the clock...
All paint and panel is excellent with a few bits of rust to fix up in the bottom of 3 of the 4 doors and wheel well...
All chrome has been replaced or refurbished and motor and gearbox are in great condition...
Interior is in mint condition as with the timber trims through-out the car...
Steering wheel is also double pin-striped...
Brand new 2.5in exhaust straight thru... (sounds ok, would rather have it stock n quiet as lol)
Sits on 14in stock wheels with Merc Hubcaps and whitewall tyres...

Post by **benzfan** » Fri 16 Apr, 2010 10:51 pm

That is one very smart looking vehicle, 11SLI. Congratulations!

Post by **69 280 SEL** » Wed 12 May, 2010 8:03 pm

About time I posted up some pictures of the old girl on here. Its a 69 280 sel, 2.8l straight 6, it has factory aircon, 6 seater, dark blue mbtex inteior. I have owned her for 2 years since i bought her from a farm shed for a bargin price of $1500 bucks, previous owner did not appreciate what he had on his hands. When i pulled it out of the shed onto a trailer it hadn't been started for about 6 years, but it started up running on 2-3 cylinders.. enough to get it on the trailer. After a intense tidy up, dropped and cleaned the fuel tank and a clean it came up mint. Its basically original, some of the electrics have been butchered abit, but nothing that cant be put back.
Recently took a mates little brother to his formal in the old girl...she polishes up pretty well.
More pics to come.

Star Shots! - Show us your Ride

Star Shots! - Show us your Ride

bahnstormers chariots 109 edition

1970 W108 280SE auto

1966 250S

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