Who here likes old mercedes? (pre 1990)

Irkie500 · 10-27-09, 06:20

For some reason I have been obsessed with them lately and wish I had one for myself. In particular a 1983 300D, why? Im not exactly sure, it looks amazing and I love the style, I do wish it was manual though. Something about the old Mercs scream style and luxury to me, anyone else feel this way?

yakky · 10-27-09, 06:36

I love the old two doors, especially the diesels. Lots of style for that era.

Accumulator · 10-28-09, 09:09

Yeah, I'm a *huge* fan of the W126 coupes and sedans, but I gotta have a '86-'91 because I need the telescoping steering wheel. Accumulatorette and I drove 560 SECs before we switched to Audis.

Those things are really solid, and IMO they're the last of the classic Benzes.

JMURiz · 10-29-09, 02:21

I like them, I bought one, but another deal came around so I tried to sell mine...no-one was interested so I gave it to my parents.

It's a 1974 280C, cool car, lots of style and room inside for a coupe:

lawrencea · 10-29-09, 02:39

I myself love the 1969 - 1971 280 SL . I think that its one of the sharpest cars on 4 wheels.

yakky · 10-29-09, 04:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMURiz

I like them, I bought one, but another deal came around so I tried to sell mine...no-one was interested so I gave it to my parents.

It's a 1974 280C, cool car, lots of style and room inside for a coupe:

very nice looking car!!!

Accumulator · 10-30-09, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMURiz

I like them, I bought one, but another deal came around so I tried to sell mine...no-one was interested so I gave it to my parents.

..

I'm envious of you folks who can deal with the ergonomics (as in, steering wheel postion) on those earlier cars!

Cool move, giving it to your parents

EcoAutoCT · 11-01-09, 05:05

I've had that itch lately as well, and it's seriously got me considering some sort of ridiculous frankenstein build of an 86 560SEL with LSX swap. But everything from the late 80s AMG Hammer and 190E; to more vintage models like the late 70s SL class has been turning my head and especially this 1971 280SE I got to work on. All of the pre-80s Mercedes have a very stately road presence in my opinion.

Accumulator · 11-01-09, 08:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by EcoAutoCT

I've had that itch lately as well, and it's seriously got me considering some sort of ridiculous frankenstein build of an 86 560SEL with LSX swap...

Heh heh, hope you're on really good terms with a good Benz wrench who's a genius with electronics

I was tempted to have a SWB W126 tweaked, but after researching it I chickened out. But I bet Hatch & Son (Sons?) could pull it off if you wrote a big enough check. Even just getting a limited slip diff installed is a bit of a challenge, even though it *sounds* like a no-brainer.

I'm utterly sold on the SWB cars, they just do something for me that the SEL doesn't. I liked my mechanic's (very slow, very used, very trashed 250K mile) 300SE so much that I kept it for nearly six months!

Quote:

...[check out]..this 1971 280SE I got to work on...

Oooh, that's nice!

Clean Dean · 11-01-09, 09:41

Quote:

Yeah, I'm a *huge* fan of the W126 coupes and sedans, but I gotta have a '86-'91 because I need the telescoping steering wheel. Accumulatorette and I drove 560 SECs before we switched to Audis.

Those things are really solid, and IMO they're the last of the classic Benzes.

Clean examples are getting harder to find these days. I know of a 12k 1991 560 SEC (Blk/blk), owned locally by me. I have already expressed interest to the owner, and expect he'll be asking top dollar when and if he ever decides to sell. Hopefully I am in a position to make a run at her. Love the 86-91 SEC and have own 2 of them over the past 10 years.

Accumulator · 11-02-09, 09:27

Clean Dean- Hey buddy, thought I might see you on this thread

That last-year coupe would be a great acquisition!