Chase's 73' Merc w108 Build Thread

[Chase]

Hey strangers! I haven't been around much lately, been working a ton and preparing for school. But I have a surprise. I know some have already seen it that are my friends on FB. It's very different from what you have seen from me in the past but that's part of why I'm so excited.

I have been longing for a classic Mercedes for some time now as well as a project car to really get my hands dirty and push my limits to see how much I can do on my own. Well it just so happens I found both. This is going to be a hell of a project to tackle with minimal restoration experience but I plan to put my heart and soul into this thing and truly make it my own creation.

Today I picked up my 1973 Mercedes Benz 280se (W108). She sports a 4.5L V8. Sucker hauls ass for how heavy it is, I also found out that it likes to burn the tires lol.

The car is originally from MN and the previous owner got it from an estate sale. I was lucky enough to be the first to look at it and there was no question about it, she was coming home with me. The car made it home in one piece and so did I.

There is some surface rust, but outside of that it is pretty damn clean. Underneath the car is clean and it was not driven in the MN winters. The interior is in phenomenal condition, I am so in love with the steering wheel it's ridiculous. Just needs a good clean and a few minor things. It needs to be completely sanded down and painted. It is missing some things like the rear window, the front window is cracked. I had to duct tape it in to get it drive-able lol. The glass is busted out on the passenger front and rear side windows but I also got four doors from a parts car that the previous owner had purchases. The exhaust is broken off right before the muffler so she screams right now!

I have some big plans for it. I have no clue what order I will tackle things in but if I had to guess the first thing I'll start on is the body. Next will probably get it running flawless, right now it runs good but it needs some love in the idle department. After that, you guessed it, time to get the frame kissing the pavement. I will not stop until that is accomplished. I don't care what I have to cut, pound, remove, etc to make that happen, it's going to happen. My air setup has already been researched and picked out. I have a buddy that is going to help with the install and custom fab work that is needed. I also have some wheels picked out but I told myself I wouldn't let the cat out of the bag on those :-X I am so excited to dig in it is unreal. Well enough talk and onto the pictures!

Taking care of business.


Getting her some juice at BP on the way home.


Made it home!


Hood ornament still intact.


Some shots of the body.














And the interior.






LOVE.


This car was my inspiration to get one. I saw it a few years back and have been head over heals ever since.


I plan on doing some really interesting things to it and make it my show car. Over the winter I hope to get it presentable and ready to show, then over the summer get everything fine tuned.

If anyone has any local resources for people that know these cars please let me know. It would be a great help to have a Jordan Price, or Brian May type person to go to but for old Mercs.

Cheers folks!

[Audiphile]

Awesome! I saw this on CL and thought about calling on it myself. You got a great deal, cant wait to see what you do to it!

[mrkrinkle]

ermergherddd

excited to see where this shall go.

[220 KING]

Hubers in golden valley. They know old mercedes better then anyone in the state. Both times i've seen gullwings (1950's) in minnesota they were being dropped off there.


Oh and that last picture made me shit my pants, then eat the shit from my pants, then I ate the pants, since I went commando I had to tug off the ole ball bag and eat that too so my reshit would accurately reflect how I feel about that car.

[palmer]

Oh yes. Love this thread already.

One of these is "next"

[Majend]

chase, you are one of the few people i have complete faith in when it comes to cars like this. congrats buddy!

[Chase]

Awesome! I saw this on CL and thought about calling on it myself. You got a great deal, cant wait to see what you do to it!

Thanks man!

[Chase]

ermergherddd

excited to see where this shall go.

Paha! You and I both!

[Chase]

Hubers in golden valley. They know old mercedes better then anyone in the state. Both times i've seen gullwings (1950's) in minnesota they were being dropped off there.


Oh and that last picture made me shit my pants, then eat the shit from my pants, then I ate the pants, since I went commando I had to tug off the ole ball bag and eat that too so my reshit would accurately reflect how I feel about that car.

I really appreciate the info! Dude I know, I see it in my dreams at night.

[Chase]

Oh yes. Love this thread already.

One of these is "next"

Thanks bud!

[Chase]

chase, you are one of the few people i have complete faith in when it comes to cars like this. congrats buddy!

Thanks, Alex. Not to bro out but I have the same faith in you!

[Stephen]

looks cool chase.

i love the look of these old mercs!

im sure you dont ned it but some more inspiration?

[Chase]

^Needs more bags, and more tuck

[Topher]

You had me until here:



too much blacked out/try hard status



But I'm sure you'll make it look good. Just don't go over kill, e.g. copper mirrors.

[Chase]