Restoration Advice

[james 3200]

Hello, great forum, exactly what i need

My mother has had an arctic white SL300 F reg from new, and it has been slightly neglected over the years, as it has not been used often.

As it still drives wonderfully and only has around 28k miles on the clock, we want to get it restored back to its former glory. It recently failed its MOT due to the headlamps not being reflective enough, so we think its about time to get it fully restored.

The paint work is OK, it could do with a respray on a few of the panels, but on most a rotary polisher and waxing should get the paint looking great again. The canvas hood could do with cleaning / replacing, and there was water standing in the engine somewhere, which has rusted a hole and it let water into the passenger footwell. The alloys need a good cleaning, the rubber seals all need to be replaced and a number of other bits and pieces. The main bodywork is fine, and its only a few of the small chips and marks which need to be fixed, other than that its ok. The interior just need the leather to be reconditioned and thats about it.

We are in Surrey, and would like to ask if anyone can recommend a good restorer for this type of project? And what sort of costs would be involved for a full respray, changing of the rubber seals, headlamps and general cleaning up, just an estimate would do.

Many thanks,
James

 

[Bolide]

John Haynes in Worthing might be a good choice, though they won't be cheap

I'd think you could spend £4-7k without any trouble at all. It could turn in to the most amazing money pit so, unless there's a strong sentimental reason not to, I'd sell it as-is

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[james 3200]

Thanks for the feedback,

Thats not cheap, however i do not see her wanting to sell it at all. She has a new car, but hardly drove it until the MOT failed on the SL. I will give that company a call to see what they can suggest.

When i looked into this a while ago, i found a Mercedes specialist around Kingston / Hampton court i think, but cannot seem to find them now.. Anyone know who it could have been?

Thanks,
James

 

[Redg8son]

Hi James, I haven't used this guy but I stumbled across him recently and I think he's not too far from where you are. He certainly seems to know the SL model well - Kevin O'Keefe on 01883 626721 - I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Redg8son

 

[MIW615]

We had a 1971 350SL repainted, new rubbers, alloys refurbished and seat inserts (cloth not leather) replaced, small amount of rust attended to on the rear wheel arches and the clear perspex replaced in the soft top.

This was done about five years ago and we paid £3500.00 plus vat - I was lucky at the time to get trade discount on the parts and materials so that was worth about £500 to me

I would have thought you will end up paying around £5000.00 - £6000.00 at todays prices, but you need to get at least three estimates and whatever you settle for allow 10% - 15% contingency fund as there will be extras somewhere along the line.

Have a look in Classic Car magazine for restorers, most will give free estimates. Just be carefull as you could well end up spending more than the car is worth - might be a good idea to have the car valued to give you an idea if the project is worth going ahead with

 

[Bolide]

I should add that the very last thing you want is a "cheap" restoration

Doing any kind of work on a car, the cheapest approach is almost always the wrong approach. And with a classic like an SL, whether it's going to be sold or kept, originality & provenance determine the value of it. Bodged work always backfires on you

I'd take it to Haynes with a written brief of what you want. Ask them to give it a good looking over followed by a written estimate, timescale and schedule of payments. Then decide what to do

As and when you come to sell it, a detailed photographic record of restoration by someone like Haynes is a plus point. Scabby paintwork from a "cheap" restorer is not

Final black marks against "cheap" restorers: they always take longer than they say they are going to, it always costs more, there are always things you're not 100% happy with and it's always hard work getting these things rectified without spending more money. Document everything and agree it upfront in writing even if a verbal agreement is mutually agreed & watertight

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk