W107 body minus engine?

[Shoudaboughtacoupe1965]

Hello folks... tonight I was offered a clean W107 280SL which is missing it's motor but still retains it transmission for $2500. Is such a project worth while? If so what engine would be best to go with? Cheers Corrado

[T-Modell]

Hi,
pretty simple; the expensive part of an R107 is three things: the body, the body and the body. So if that's ok, 2,000 is a bargain, get it. To find an M110 is pretty easy and you have a great car!
Thomas

[AMG]

The only engine suitable is the M110 - D-jet, which you'd quite seriously consider running an aftermarket ECU on - to minimize running costs and maintain reliability.

Any other engine swap will come with a minimum of transmission, tailshaft and differential / halfshaft changes, as well as a front brake upgrade (which is pretty much mandatory in my opinion) more than double the cost of the car in used parts prices alone.

that 2.5K is cheap if it's rust free.
But beware.

an interior (seats carpet doortrim) refub can run you $10K without batting an eyelid.
Dash out for crack repair is easily what the cars asking price is
PLenty of old plastic and other trim pieces to break - costs are $$$ to $$$$.

I'm always sceptical about "cheap" 107's.