W115 Ute Project starts ...

Post by **tsharkey** » Sun 17 Jul, 2022 10:38 pm

You certainly have the crowd - the benz coupe only has one looking while you are entertaining the rest

Post by **John Green** » Mon 18 Jul, 2022 8:03 pm

A rare picture of Thomas with his 100,000euro walking stick.....

T-Modell wrote: ↑Sun 17 Jul, 2022 9:35 pm Lots of interest:

Post by **T-Modell** » Mon 18 Jul, 2022 9:12 pm

Haha

... you both see things in those photos that I haven't noticed

Thomas

Post by **Bartman4800** » Tue 19 Jul, 2022 12:21 pm

Looking great Thomas! Plenty of attention.

But since this is a Ute or Bakkie (in South Afrikan), you need something to fill up the rear.

A Honda Monkey perhaps, or a 1970's Suzuki TM100 dirtbike?

Post by **T-Modell** » Tue 19 Jul, 2022 2:21 pm

Haha, the rear was full ... as we become older, we bought two foldable chairs, so we don't have to stand all the time

Thomas

Post by **T-Modell** » Fri 22 Jul, 2022 6:50 pm

Hi down under,
while we're sweating here in Germany (Tuesday nearly 39°C), I managed a little upgrade / fine tuning, probably quite usual in such conversions. By accident I saw, that the stick-on sensor for the electric fan got loose as it was only held by a plastic clamp.

After checking with the manufacturer (Derale), I cut an M5 thread on the sensor (luckily the Americans used metric measurements ;-) ) and I could fix the sensor with a nut. Next 1,500kms will show, if it works!

Regards
Thomas

Post by **Christo C** » Fri 22 Jul, 2022 8:17 pm

That photo looks like you drilled a hole through the Radiator!
Is the mild temperature getting to you?

Post by **T-Modell** » Fri 22 Jul, 2022 8:25 pm

Christo C wrote: ↑Fri 22 Jul, 2022 8:17 pm That photo looks like you drilled a hole through the Radiator!
Is the mild temperature getting to you?

Yep, it's amazing what you can do with a big drilling machine

... I've been extra careful to move the little strips to the side and not damage the radiator ... temperatures dropped a bit, 30° today, but Monday is going to be 35 again ...

Thomas

Post by **CraigB** » Mon 25 Jul, 2022 11:39 am

We have been a bit 'thermally challenged' when competing in the 1.8 W201, needing to do things like driving out of the pits, puttering around to bring temp back down between runs. Yesterday the problem was fixed following the fitting of an oil cooler and removing the a/c condenser in front of the radiator. I don't know what did the most, but I suspect it is the oil cooler, and it was certainly hot to touch when checking between runs. But purpose was just to say that I think the oil cooler made a big difference, if ever you are chasing extra cooling.

And now as I type this.... and without sifting back through the last 29 pages, I can't remember if you have oil cooler or not - I seem to recall some problems with a valve or something in the system? I thought only the later 560 had the oil cooler on the motor.

Post by **T-Modell** » Mon 25 Jul, 2022 3:28 pm

Hi Craig,
true, every bit helps. There's no oil cooler, definitely no space there. However I think the oil temperature is in a normal range. Yesterday I drove the S-Class for 300kms at 30+ degrees, aircon on. Coolant stayed at 90° and I looked at the oil temperature ... it was 99°C. This is roughly the situation with the Pick-Up (I have the oil temperature in the ashtray display).

I don't think I have to "optimise" the Pick-Up in a way, that it is equivalent to a modern S-Class, where I expect to drive > 200km/h at 35°C, aircon on and then have no problems in a traffic jam.

Stefan f. i. has the same experience. The "normal" 6.9 stays at normal temperatures all the time; his 6.9 SLC with the same setup (incl. the visco fan) comes much higher, so we assume that it is the much smaller motor area.

Regards
Thomas

Post by **CraigB** » Mon 25 Jul, 2022 5:13 pm

Thanks Thomas. I had no idea what oil temp should be. Normal driving, car was in ‘50’s’ and got up to high 60’s after thrashing it. I will have to look up if there is an optimal range for oils. In my handbook they talk about temp an oil, but referring to outside temp

Post by **T-Modell** » Mon 25 Jul, 2022 5:38 pm

CraigB wrote: ↑Mon 25 Jul, 2022 5:13 pm Thanks Thomas. I had no idea what oil temp should be. Normal driving, car was in ‘50’s’ and got up to high 60’s after thrashing it. I will have to look up if there is an optimal range for oils. In my handbook they talk about temp an oil, but referring to outside temp

I can tell you about my 6.3 AMG, which I drove for 250,000kms. In "normal" driving it was around 100°C, if you pushed it hard on the Autobahn (revving up and >230km/h) it went up to 110-115°C absolut max. When I was in Imola in 2009 driving those motors on the racetrack, so max. load all the time, the oil went up to 130°C after 1.5hours and then the electronic limited the power to protect the motor.

Regards
Thomas

Post by **CraigB** » Mon 25 Jul, 2022 6:21 pm

so obviously boiling point of oil is higher than water.... or it would be bubbling out the top!

Post by **T-Modell** » Tue 26 Jul, 2022 10:36 pm

Hi down under,
as I was asked for "finished" photos of the ute, I realised that I didn't have a lot of "just car photos" ... so today I changed that

... maybe you enjoy the pics!
Kind regards
Thomas

Post by **Christo C** » Wed 27 Jul, 2022 8:26 am

Massive effort and a beautiful result!

Post by **CraigB** » Wed 27 Jul, 2022 6:20 pm

Beautiful! Only give away I can spot is that is a lot of exhaust pipe for a 220... but still subtle!

Post by **matthewz108** » Wed 27 Jul, 2022 6:48 pm

Looks amazing. The build was such a mountain to climb from the body, electrical, interior, and getting it going reliably. Really appreciate you sharing your journey.
Someone needs to make a documentary of this build.

Post by **T-Modell** » Wed 27 Jul, 2022 9:50 pm

Christo C wrote: ↑Wed 27 Jul, 2022 8:26 am Massive effort and a beautiful result!

Thank you!

CraigB wrote: ↑Wed 27 Jul, 2022 6:20 pm Beautiful! Only give away I can spot is that is a lot of exhaust pipe for a 220... but still subtle!

True

I guess I will make people think that it is a 200D and the 220 with the additional "2" means double exhaust

... funny story before the last car meeting: On the way there I had to stop at a traffic light, right before me (pole position) a 80's Porsche 911 Cabriolet. Short look in the mirror .... "ah just a stroke-8" ... He took off quite fast, me too

... at 90km/h he looked in his mirror again ... "sh.. that old Merc is still behind me"

matthewz108 wrote: ↑Wed 27 Jul, 2022 6:48 pm Looks amazing. The build was such a mountain to climb from the body, electrical, interior, and getting it going reliably. Really appreciate you sharing your journey.

You're welcome, I liked doing it ... got me going so much over the years.

matthewz108 wrote: ↑Wed 27 Jul, 2022 6:48 pm Someone needs to make a documentary of this build.

Well, Stefan told me that already a few years ago to write a book about it. Never done that, but in our next holiday, if I'm in the mood, I will draft a concept / structure of how a book would look like. Maybe with a couple of revelations regarding the technical solutions ... let's see.
I promise I write it in English and German

Regards
Thomas

P. S.: I secured all text of the last 28 pages unformatted in a word file ... besides my documentation this is a huge resource of statements at the time (yours and mine) ... different to today's view on the history of this project.

Post by **tsharkey** » Thu 28 Jul, 2022 7:23 pm

When you bought the ute and a wagon from Argentina, was there a Benz enthusiast over there you liaised with. Surely they would love to see what has become of one of their unique camionetas.

What was the fait of it's travelling companion, the wagon ?

Post by **T-Modell** » Thu 28 Jul, 2022 7:27 pm

tsharkey wrote: ↑Thu 28 Jul, 2022 7:23 pm When you bought the ute and a wagon from Argentina, was there a Benz enthusiast over there you liaised with. Surely they would love to see what has become of one of their unique camionetas.

What was the fait of it's travelling companion, the wagon ?

Hi Tim,
unfortunately Carlos and I don't have contact anymore ... long story. However his assistant, Andrea, whom I personally met in Mar del Plata in 2016, is still in contact with me. She was very touched to see the finished car after she had so much trouble with it until it was shipped. Quote:

Buenos días
Me hace muy feliz y me emociona ver las fotos de la camioneta terminada. Recuerdo cuando la despache desde acá lo destruida e irreconocible que era. Quedo hermosa, lo felicito por reconstruirla. Mis felicitaciones¡¡¡¡ Muchas gracias por hacerme participe del cambio de la camioneta. Se lo agradezco de corazón.
Saludos a usted y su familia.

The wagon ended up - as planned - with a local club here, close to Nuremberg. They should now have all versions of W114/W115 station wagons, a collection.

Kind regards
Thomas

Post by **Bartman4800** » Fri 29 Jul, 2022 11:05 am

So - that requires a Spanish edition of your novella as well

Post by **John Green** » Fri 29 Jul, 2022 12:59 pm

T-Modell wrote: ↑Thu 28 Jul, 2022 7:27 pm The wagon ended up - as planned - with a local club here, close to Nuremberg. They should now have all versions of W114/W115 station wagons, a collection.

So there is a car club that owns cars outright? That sounds like some what of an administrative nightmare. Who drives then, pays for damage (all cars get damaged sooner or later), etc, etc.

Post by **T-Modell** » Fri 29 Jul, 2022 4:06 pm

John,
those cars aren't driven; it's like an exibition there. 8,000 members and the chairman does what he wants; after that "purchase" I'm not in contact with him anymore; they can be very friendly, if they want something from you and otherwise pretty rude. Anyway, that's the past!

@Bart: if I'd speak the language, then maybe ... it might be the next Harry Potter, then it's translated into all kinds of languages

Regards
Thomas

Post by **Nabstud** » Sun 31 Jul, 2022 11:13 pm

I found this, I thought it was yours until I realised no front stone protectors and rear tray floor was different. Rare enough having a ute, but also a similar colour?????

https://www.slashgear.com/807696/the-me ... w-existed/

Post by **T-Modell** » Sun 31 Jul, 2022 11:27 pm

Nab,
You haven’t read the 29 pages carefully

… this is the fake one, Mercedes used for the introduction of the X-Class… a converted limousine… different wall, sedan lights etc…
Regards
Thomas

Post by **T-Modell** » Tue 09 Aug, 2022 8:06 pm

Hi guys down under,
as we're having a heat wave here ... 30°+ throughout the week, we only had a W111 tour with 5 on Sunday ... but what I wanted to share: I guess it became obvious, that the ute "gets some looks". Today I drove to Mercedes with it, stood at the traffic lights. Opposite at the pedestrian crossing a homeless man, long filthy hair and beard, old dirty clothes and a plastic bag from a supermarket. As I turned left, he did a big swing with his arm for a thumbs-up and even through all the hair I could see a smile

... I gave him a thumbs-up back and maybe, only maybe it was something positive for him today.

Kind regards
Thomas

Post by **Christo C** » Tue 09 Aug, 2022 8:14 pm

Great story Thomas! Gotta love beardy guys of any variety.

On the educational side, 30deg here is a “mildly warm day”; a “heatwave” is a few days over 45deg or thereabouts.

Post by **CraigB** » Wed 10 Aug, 2022 12:36 am

At this point, it would seem un-Australian for me not to say...... "30 degrees, that's not a heat wave! Five days in a row over 40, that's a heatwave!"

Actually I remember when working in the UK, it feels a lot hotter compared to our 'dry heat'.

Thanks for sharing the story, he might have been a wealthy man who had one earlier in his life and then fell on hard times.

Post by **T-Modell** » Wed 10 Aug, 2022 5:02 pm

Haha,
I know

I experienced once 45° in Melbourne. I left a hospital and it felt like little needle pricks; at the time friends gave us an old car, a Holden Commodore, but the aircon wasn't working ... noyce!

We had constant high (Germany!) temperatures for some weeks now, peak around 39° where I live. No rain for weeks ... well, as long as we have enough wine in the cellar!

Regards
Thomas

Post by **Nabstud** » Wed 10 Aug, 2022 11:30 pm

T-Modell wrote: ↑Wed 10 Aug, 2022 5:02 pm ... well, as long as we have enough wine in the cellar!

Regards
Thomas

Spoken like a true Aussie...

Post by **T-Modell** » Tue 20 Sep, 2022 7:45 pm

Hi guys,
today I went out on the Autobahn to do some acceleration videos ... too much traffic. One video I'd like to show you, it gives you a bit of an impression of the acceleration in third gear ... the Audi SUV behind me couldn't believe it; its passenger took the phone out and took a video

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/751598348

Regards
Thomas

Post by **CraigB** » Tue 20 Sep, 2022 9:53 pm

What's most remarkable to me is how steady it all is at those sort of speeds. Was marshalling at the weekend at the Barossa Rally and a 450slc keeping the modern turbo 4WD's honest.

Post by **tsharkey** » Tue 20 Sep, 2022 10:55 pm

Accelerations was SO fast the GPS was struggling to keep up ...

Also, the Economy guage said it all.

Rock Solid on the road ?

Post by **T-Modell** » Wed 21 Sep, 2022 12:31 am

tsharkey wrote: ↑Tue 20 Sep, 2022 10:55 pm ...Rock Solid on the road ?

Yep, no probs. I have to look for a better time to see, how far it goes > 200km/h ... Today a police car came up behind me ... well I thought I give it a go (everything's in the papers) ... so they got smaller in the rearview mirror in their BMW ... didn't bother them

The car is "rougher" - if that nails it - than my R107 SL, but I guess it's understandable. Not so much insulation, no motor dampers and the sound is a "tad" more aggressive ... suits me.

I remember last year, letting one of the guys at Mercedes drive the car on the Autobahn up to 160km/h. He's the guy who has to find out "noises" that the customer hears, so a tricky job. He said to me "I would take my kids in this car", which is probably quite a big compliment.

Regards
Thomas

Post by **T-Modell** » Fri 23 Sep, 2022 11:27 pm

Hi guys,
today some sort of a "final" ... I finally did the Thank-You-Lunch for my Mercedes stealership. As I mentioned quite often, Mercedes Ebert here - the whole workshop - was an enormous help with this project. The know-how of everybody as well as the help - and not all was billed - was outstanding.

As a personal thank you I did a lunch catering today, even the two MD's were present. Good food from a local restaurant, I did a little speech and everybody enjoyed it - at least that's what they told me

Imho it's very important to not only take things like this for granted, but to also honour those efforts.

Regards
Thomas

Juergen and me (he's proud now too)

The Workshop management, Sergej, Holger and Thilo:

Stefan and me:

Post by **Chai** » Sat 24 Sep, 2022 2:51 am

A lovely gesture of appreciation to the crew.

Post by **CraigB** » Sat 24 Sep, 2022 7:48 am

That's quite a team to have behind you! I don't think I have seen that many people at Mercedes Adelaide. Great gesture and I imagine there was a lot of enjoyment for them being associated with such a build and will stay in their memories like few other cars. And nice touch finding the right colour fabric for the table!

Post by **Christo C** » Sat 24 Sep, 2022 8:10 am

Brilliant gesture. Good on you!

Post by **tsharkey** » Sun 25 Sep, 2022 6:30 pm

T-Modell wrote: ↑Fri 23 Sep, 2022 11:27 pm
Good food from a local restaurant, I did a little speech and everybody enjoyed it - at least that's what they told me Imho it's very important to not only take things like this for granted, but to also honour those efforts.

Fitting conclusion .... We will shout you lunch when your next here for keeping us entertained with the epic tale.

Post by **T-Modell** » Sat 01 Oct, 2022 5:00 pm

Hi guys,
thanks for the invite

... they have at least 6 subsidiaries and roughly 350 staff and not everyone was on the photo; I catered for 40 people.

The MD mentioned again, what he thinks it meant for staff motivation; he said words to the effect of "you will be talking about this in years and so will they". I had a canvas print done of that group photo in 60x40 cm² and gave it to the workshop as a gift yesterday. They wanted it and they'll put it up the wall.

Somehow it feels like NOW it's finished ... although an old car is never finished

Regards
Thomas

Post by **Christo C** » Sat 01 Oct, 2022 7:29 pm

Bravo !

Post by **Bartman4800** » Sat 01 Oct, 2022 8:22 pm

Well done Thomas, I think you made some friends for life there!

Post by **T-Modell** » Wed 05 Oct, 2022 9:29 pm

Hi down under,
today another try, again too much traffic ... but I invested in a sucktion cup for the camera, so better quality this time, max. speed today 211km/h (GPS):

Videos:
https://vimeo.com/757118915
https://vimeo.com/757119156

Results:
Great acceleration
Probably worse aerodynamics than the R107 SL
Not enough empty road to stay on the pedal ;-)

Stay tuned ... and kind regards
Thomas

Post by **Nabstud** » Thu 06 Oct, 2022 11:20 pm

These action pics are as good, if not better than the build pics!!!
Looks like you have gained a lot of trust in it after the few teething issues, you reckon you can clock the speedo????????????

Post by **John Green** » Sat 08 Oct, 2022 10:06 am

Looking at your 220D badge on the back, it reminds me on my old "240D" that used to run in historic rallies. The number of people that would ask me "is that really a diesel" was amazing, especially if I had just chopped them at the drag strip.

IMG_0001.jpg

T-Modell wrote: ↑Tue 26 Jul, 2022 10:36 pm

Post by **T-Modell** » Sat 08 Oct, 2022 5:59 pm

... but the 240D must be nearly 10% faster than the 220D. You had a single exhaust, but the long rear bumper gives it away like my double exhaust ...
If I'm in the mood tomorrow, Sunday, I get up at 05:30 and go on the empty Autobahn ...

Thomas

Post by **Nabstud** » Sun 09 Oct, 2022 12:33 am

T-Modell wrote: ↑Sat 08 Oct, 2022 5:59 pm ... but the 240D must be nearly 10% faster than the 220D. You had a single exhaust, but the long rear bumper gives it away like my double exhaust ...
If I'm in the mood tomorrow, Sunday, I get up at 05:30 and go on the empty Autobahn ...

Thomas

What is the goal - off the clock?

Post by **T-Modell** » Sun 09 Oct, 2022 12:38 am

What's the goal? I had in mind 225km/h like an original SL (as we put in the registration papers), with the new motor and this exhaust maybe a bit more. The speedo runs ahead quite a bit at those speeds, so let's see.

But there must be a lot of turbulences behind the cabin wall, so a R107 or a 450SLC 5.0 has the better air flow ... I guess. Let's see when I wake up tomorrow ... no rain forecast, so I might give it a go. The vmax test of the R107 also required 3-4kms of free Autobahn and the 245hp brought it up to 234km/h ...

Regards
Thomas

Post by **T-Modell** » Sun 09 Oct, 2022 5:54 pm

Hi guys,

last try this time, early Sunday morning. The Autobahn was pretty empty, but the max. speed achieved remained 213km/h GPS (roughly 230km/h speedo). Obviously the aerodynamics of the ute is so bad, that there's not more in it. So total failure on my side

https://vimeo.com/758393613

As I have a 500SL with the same motor (since 2004), I'm pretty sure, the motor has the power; however it's only got 1,600kms on the clock, maybe it needs a bit of time ;-)

Remark for you guys:
The video was taken on the Autobahn Darmstadt-Frankfurt, where in the 1930s Mercedes-Benz and Auto-Union (predecessor of Audi) were competing for the max. speed of their race cars. In 1938 Rudolf Caracciola (Mercedes) drove 437km/h and just a few hours later, Bernd Rosemeyer from Auto-Union tried to top it. Unfortunately he crashed and died; there's still an Autobahn parking named after him on that stretch.

Regards
Thomas

Post by **Christo C** » Sun 09 Oct, 2022 7:12 pm

Big block of Styrofoam in back, carefully shaped after Wind Tunnel testing…. now you have another Project!