Star Shots! - Show us your Ride

[JoeB]

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!

[AndrewsSL/SEL]

Well someone has to be first.

87 300SL R107 HK Grey Import
Bought 08/05 with 24.5K miles which seem original
Now up to 48K miles
Original softtop and interior in as new condition
Had problems with rust in the fuel tank as it sat for ages in a little garage in HK and had to get a new fuel tank, distributor, pump and filter. [It seems low km's isnt always good ]
Have added super thick sheepskin covers, a wind deflector and a Clarion MP3 headunit, amp, speakers, subby and custom plates.
Currently getting a new radiator as the top pipe on the sidetank broke.


Good parking spot here

MBCV SL run



With the lovely wife in the car

[Greg in Oz]

This is my trusty old 1973 350SLC which I purchased cheaply back in 1983. Apart from an auto transmission rebuild, I have performed all the repairs and service to this car in all those years I have owned her (including rust repairs, cylinder head job, transmission R & R, differential rebuild, and many smaller jobs including suspension work, brakes, fuel injection work, water pumps, etc.). It may sound like a lot of repairs but for a high kilometre car it has been very reliable over the past 24 years, only ever stopping once on the road when the fuel pump failed (a knock to the pump with a hammer each time it stopped got us home on that occasion). She needs a bit of cosmetic and rust work (again) but is mechanically sound and still goes well. Not being anywhere near concours condition but still being a pleasure to drive and totally unburstable, I plan to eventually use her in some club motorsport, primarily historic and classic rallies. I figure it will also be a safe car in which to introduce my boys to club motorsport when they get a bit older.

Greg

[Greg in Oz]

Having owned and enjoyed my 1973 350SLC since 1983, I have for many years considered the fastest and rarest 107, the 500SLC to be one of my dream cars. The 500SLC and the almost identical and almost as rare 450SLC-5.0 (both models are a 107.026) were a lightweight version of the 107 coupe manufactured primarily to homologate the SLC for world rally championship back in the late 1970s. The dream actually became reality back in November last year when I purchased a 1981 500SLC at a classic car auction. It was delivered new and spent much of its life in Switzerland before spending a couple of years in The Netherlands and then came to Australia in 2000. It presents as a very original car and hopefully will become more collectable as their numbers diminish. I plan to bring her up to top condition and enjoy her at club events and on club drives. The hard bit will be resisting the temptation to use her in the club motorsport I have in mind for the 350SLC.

Greg

Some photos I took prior to the auction can be seen at in the thread at http://www.mbcnsw.org.au/forum/index.php/topic,1486.0.html (can't work out how to get the photos from that forum to display directly here the way the one of my 350SLC in the above post does).

[JoeB]

Stella is the firstborn in our family. She's Daddy's little girl, and doesn't play favourites. Of course, Nat likes to drive her as well, but she hardly gets a chance when I'm always pulling something apart on her or just finishing putting it all back.



We've had Stella since 26th Jan 2007. First registered on 28 March 1987, that makes her just under 20 years old. She hasn't had the best treatment by her previous owners (2) and slowly I am bringing it all back to where I personally feel is her rightful place in the family.



I have no plans to keep Stella 100% original, she's already suffered at the hands of evil mechanics and one less than appreciative owner. I'm simply improving on an excellent but outdated interior theme.



So far, modifications are simply restoration of the factory wiring harness, butchered by a mobile phone and data-logging equipment install, and installation of a modern Car Audio and navigation system. The Air-conditioning, which many understand as being substandard, is being modified to remove the unreliable vacuum pod actuators, which make way for servo-controlled automatic climate control, which will solve flow and temperature issues.



Future plans for a nice set of 17" alloy rims, and a polish job on the existing factory rims, which I actually like. Window tint is on the way, appropriately timed, whilst the hardtop is having it's internals removed for cleaning.



The chrome wheeltrim which is absent in the pictures is currently off and being cleaned and polished - another cosmetic maintenance project - while I think about how I am going to fix the scratches caused by some idiot trying to incorrectly remove the hardtop.

All in all, the car is in very good condition for it's age, save for some previous mistreatment. But thats how it often is. Many people are impressed with the condition of the vehicle, even the tradespeople who have looked at it while half the interior is missing, so I guess I did okay on the purchase.

Stella has Displaced Nat's Mazza from the garage and now takes pride of place. ...and Nat doesn't seem to mind... much

[John Green]

Here is a car that is one of those cars that some day you are going to wish you didn't sell. 1978 spec 450SLC, the last of these were so much nicer with the walnut timber, plush pile carpet, standard features like roof and crusie, etc.

Previous owner had purchaed it with just 1500kms on the clock in 1980 and I brought it in 2003 with 130000km, sold it in 2006 with 140000kms on it. In the background is a 1998 Vito 113 flexivan that I brought new in 1998 and sold in 2002, It wasa great car, but I dont miss it like the SLC.

[Greg in Oz]

John,

I have been thinking about wheels for my 500SLC and that photo of your SLC gives me an idea of how the AMG Pentas look on the SLC. Are they 15 or 16 inch? I am trying to choose between the originality of the factory 6.5 x 14 inch alloys with their now limited choice of 205/70R14 tyres (the 500SLC really is under-tyred on these), or the greater choice of tyres and better handling by going larger. My 350SLC is currently fitted with the 7 x 15 inch late 107/126 alloys fitted with 215/60R15 tyres but these are not really the correct "period" for the SLC. My first choice would probably be the 7 x 15 inch copies of the factory "baroque" ("bundt cake" in America) style alloys which combines larger size with an original look. The 7 x 15 inch AMG Pentas may also be a good period choice even if not so original looking. What does everyone think?

Greg

[BMcD]

Well your not the only one who'd love a set of them. The original AMG's are rare and are worth a bundle. And with your 500 SLC I thought all of them had the 15" bundt's standard, or where they just options?

[Greg in Oz]

Well your not the only one who'd love a set of them. The original AMG's are rare and are worth a bundle. And with your 500 SLC I thought all of them had the 15" bundt's standard, or where they just options?

The 107026 (5 litre SLC models) came standard with 6.5 x 14 inch alloys fitted with Michelin XWX 205/70VR14. Mine still has an XWX spare in the boot and a friend recently gave me another one. At the age they are now I wouldn't want to drive too far (or fast) on them but if I can find another three they will be good for display (eg. concours) purposes where originality is important.

Greg

[John Green]

My SLC had 15" Penta's. I brought these for my W114 280E rally car but only used them once as I realised I was crazy running them on a car that had a fair chance of having an "off road excursion" The reason i brought 15" ones was that to meet HRA regulation you could only go 1" Up and 1" across on wheel size so 16"s and 17"s were out.

There now on my Crayford wagon.

[Greg in Oz]

John,

So what do suggest for my 500SLC? Stay with the original factory 14" baroque/bundt alloys or find a set of the same style but in 15" or go for a set of the AMG Pentas? I guess if I was ever going to get serious about entering it in concours I would show it with the 14s but for driving I would prefer the 15s with the better choice of tyres they allow. I have a friend following a lead on some 15" baroque/bundts but if that falls through are you interested in parting with the AMG Pentas?

Greg

[AndrewsSL/SEL]

It seems this thread is slipping off topic.

Is there anything Mr Webmaster can do about it?

Perhaps a cut and paste into a new thread.

[Greg in Oz]

It seems this thread is slipping off topic.

Is there anything Mr Webmaster can do about it?

Perhaps a cut and paste into a new thread.

Apologies for that, it was my fault. If all the posts starting with mine on Thu 15 March can be moved to a new topic "Wheels for a 500SLC" that would be good.

Thanks,
Greg

[Greg in Oz]

My 500SLC finally attended its first event under my ownership last Sunday. I obtained an unregistered vehicle permit for the weekend (it is left hand drive) so that it could attend the Eastern Creek Classic display day. Mind you, as late as Saturday night I was still unsure whether or not it would be making its debut appearance. The time I wanted to spend cleaning and detailing it I ended up spending chasing an illusive fuel problem (see http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/s ... p?t=197525 ). Fortunately I was able to get it sorted (got to bed at 12:30am Sunday morning). My boys were thrilled to finally get a ride in it and I enjoyed being able to drive it.

To show that it actually made it, here are some photos from the day. Those with a keen eye will notice that I ended up obtaining a set of the very hard to find 7 x 15 inch factory alloys and have fitted them with new Pirelli P6000 215/60R15-94V tyres.

Greg

500SLC Eastern Creek Classic 2007.jpg

500SLC front Eastern Creek Classic 2007.jpg

500SLC front right Eastern Creek Classic 2007.jpg

500SLC rear Eastern Creek Classic 2007.jpg

500SLC rear quarter Eastern Creek Classic 2007.jpg

500SLC right front Eastern Creek Classic 2007.jpg

500SLC right rear Eastern Creek Classic 2007.jpg

[psq]

My recently acquired 1974 450SLC, as yet unwashed and still needing lots of cosmetics.



One thing I'll be checking is whether the original Bundts from the 6.9 will fit, since they're sat in boxes in the shed.

[John Green]

One thing I'll be checking is whether the original Bundts from the 6.9 will fit, since they're sat in boxes in the shed.

Will fit perfect they should be the same size and offset.

[psq]

The wheels fit fine, look good too. But it was a real pain to jack the car up under the arm only to find that there's no way to fit the 225 tyre and wheel between hub and wheel arch like that. Had to put a stand under the jack point and drop the arm. Point to remember if I get a puncture (there's only a bottle jack with the car).
I've also packed 5 of the original wheel bolts in the tool bag as I believe those for a steel wheel are a different profile to those for the Bundts, and the spare is the standard steel.

[Tony From West Oz]

Psq,
Photos please.

Tony

[psq]

Needs a wash first. And the weather here has been awful. Today it was all sunny at 07:00 but now the clouds are coming. Can't get anything done outside. Its been this way for weeks. Somebody said its called "winter" but the Almighty Algore told me we don't have them any more.

[JoeB]

Well,
It's been a while since I posted to this thread, and I must admit, my first offering in terms of pictures was sorely lacking.

Now, it's perhaps still lacking - as stella currently has very little of her interior trim fitted, but I managed to squeeze a few snapshots out of the canon with both tops on over the last couple of weeks.

Exterior only, and yes, I know my perspective & focus isn't perfect.
Click on the pictures to get the fullsize image.

08072008 059.JPG

08072008 060.JPG

08072008 061.JPG

stella20080811 002.JPG

stella20080811 007.JPG

stella20080811 015.JPG

stella20080811 017.JPG

stella20080811 013.JPG

[JoeB]

Here's the 9/11 car. No official name yet - Nat & I are debating.

Astral Silver, 258,000km 1972 build no.000848 350slc

Have not cleaned or detailed car yet. a nice daily driver.



you can click to enlarge these ones:

018small.jpg

019small.jpg

020small.jpg

stella+911 039.JPG

stella+911 013.JPG

stella+911 018.JPG

stella+911 019.JPG

stella+911 033.JPG

stella+911 031.JPG

[GreaseMonkey]

As a big time SLC fan I can honestly say that looks great, good colour combination, and with the SL they make a great pair.
HoorRoo
Chris M.

[brycedunn]

I've had my 450SLC since may 2003. Unfortunately I only get to drive it 1-2x per year as its in Sydney and I'm in Detroit. But I couldn't bring myself to sell it while i was away.

[TargaSL]

Here are some pics of my Targa Race Car that John G had a hand in (when it was a Canberra cruiser)

[Greg in Oz]

Targa,

Sweet! Got to be honest and say I'm not a huge fan of the wheels though, but given the application I suspect you have chosen them for function rather than form. You've got me interested now. Obviously this is your tarmac rally car (ride height looks a tad low for the dirt) and you have run it in Targa Tasmania. I love hearing about Mercs in motorsport (as you have probably realised from my posts on this forum). You realise now that I am expecting that you are going to tell us all about your car and its development to get to where you have. I'm all ears! Oh, and keep the photos coming (and videos given that I think I can see a video camera mounted in there). I'd also be interested in whatever feedback you can provide on my recent thread discussing my recent adventures in my 500SLC.

Cheers,
Greg