newbie advice

[lance1a]

Hi guys.
I'm new here and would appreciate some advice if you don't mind?

I have just bought a 1970 W114 250CE. I initially intended just to sell it on as I deal mainly with old BMW's, but I do like the old bus, and she's started to grow on me. I have always wanted a Merc pillarless, and now I am trying to decide if this one is salvageable.
Generally, the panels are all straight, the interior is good bar the carpeting which is shot.
Everything works fine but the brakes need freeing up due to standing for years.
The motor runs great and the manual box is good, I changed the oil and coolant as a matter of course.
There is a problem with the fueling, and the car will start and idle/run, but will stall after about ten/twenty minutes. I assume perhaps a sender unit.

There has been some serious work to this car in the past, and most of it very shoddy. The lower bulkhead on the drivers side has had a plate welded in on top of the bad metal. There is a large hole in the right front arch/sill area, a few holes in the right upper sill, both rear valances are bad and there is a hole in the chassis member near the bulkhead.

here's the pics.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/lance1a/merc022.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/lance1a/merc021.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/lance1a/merc019.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/lance1a/merc012.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/lance1a/merc011.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/lance1a/merc009.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/lance1a/merc004.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/lance1a/merc005.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s233/lance1a/merc002.jpg

Please let me know if this is worse than average for this kind of car as though it looks bad in the pics, I can get it sorted. It's not that much worse than my Alfa GTV was.

The floorpans look fine and there is a bit of surface rust on the boot floor.

 

[lance1a]

.......Anyone?

 

[television]

There is a fair bit of welding needed to get it through any MOT,,is not it better to get that done first

 

[lance1a]

Hi, Thanks for the reply. I am going to have my welder buddy have a look at it next weekend. There is a fair amount of work to be done to the car, for sure, but I think it might turn out to be a nice car. Luckily I do my own mechanical and paintwork, so that will keep the costs down. If I can get it MOT'd and painted for under a grand it will be a cheap car to run as it will fall under my traders insurance and the tax will be free. So it can't be all bad.

Regards

Rob

 

[lance1a]

Just had a good look with my welder mate, It's a big job......so I am going to break it or sell as a donor. Pity, the panels are all straight and the engine/box are great. Oh well!

 

[Xtractorfan]

All is not lost have ur mate write in a hard luck story to the overhaulin or pimp my ride team and wait for the results remember to look suitably astonished and surprised when they hand it back to you...

 

[lance1a]

All is not lost have ur mate write in a hard luck story to the overhaulin or pimp my ride team and wait for the results remember to look suitably astonished and surprised when they hand it back to you...

I think a Foose job as opposed to anything the Westwood lot could come up with would be prefferential!