On the rack...

[TAF]

1970 Mercedes 280SL....nearly $180K spent on the resto....this things looks better than it EVER could have on the Mercedes Showroom in '70....

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL12.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL1.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL2.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL3.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL4.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL5.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL6.JPG

[jimlam56]

Wow, that's gorgeous!
Always wanted one, but 180k is a little out of my price range...
Thanks for sharing!

[TAF]

this thing is PERFECT underneath....

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL7.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL8.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL9.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL10.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL11.JPG

[Marauder2005]

Screw the paper plates, we can eat of the bottom of that car!

[TAF]

Some progress pics...

Custom, mandrel bent 1 3/4" T-304 Stainless Steel, using OEM stainless steel, reproduction resonator & muffler...

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL18.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL17.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL16.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL15.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL14.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL13.JPG

[fastblackmerc]

Wow, that's gorgeous!
Always wanted one, but 180k is a little out of my price range...
Thanks for sharing!
$180K is just for the resto:eek: Bet you he paid more than $50K just for the car!

[TAF]

$180K is just for the resto:eek: Bet you he paid more than $50K just for the car!

Actually...it's a one-owner car. I was told she received it as a graduation gift in 1970 (don't know whether that was for college or high school)...it is being put back to "better than new"...by her (the owner). I was also told over 4 years in the resto.....

[Mike Poore]

Barb drove a 560SL in '89, I think it was, and came back, all smiles. I could drive one of those, she said. Sticker on it was 68K, and she's had the hots for one, ever since. It's really the ultimate chick car, that and the latest Thunderbird, of course.
That's a beautiful restoration, Donny ....keep 'em coming.
I still think there should be a special "On The Rack" Forum.

[TAF]

The "Merc" just got some company...some classic American luxury....

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/34Caddy4.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/34Caddy2.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/34Caddy3.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/34Caddy1.JPG

[MM03MOK]

You're getting some great business, Todd. KUDOS! And keep the pictures coming!

[Mike]

Beautiful, beautiful work!!!!!

[Hotrauder]

I really want to say something but I am just numb all over. Unbelievable. As much fun as this car nut stuff is just farting around the fringes can you imagine what a blast this hobby could be with those kind of resources? Holy crap. dennis:bows:

[Mikeenh]

I was in Vietnam in 1970. My comanding officer was heading to Germany from there. He ordered a 280 SL to be waiting for him when he got there.. The price then was $10,000.

[Joe Walsh]

Incredible restoration, BUT 180 LARGE!:eek:.....:awe:

What is that 280 SL worth now??? $80,000?

[Marauderman]

OK--....who trailered her in.........cause there is no....I mean...no road stuff under her.........and ....Todd---you need to ask more questions about these cars----and all you show---tell them (owners) you have alot of people on this board (say here what you want) who want to know--car people--like them----ah come on----we look for more 411 from the owners--after all---they should be willing to open up--they should be wanting to brag about their cars----==ok --my rant is off--so think about us my friend----BTW----Love your pics----------Tom=

[CRUZTAKER]

Ahh man...
That car....

My first real girl friend love drove one of those. She was 16, I was 15, her dad was in oil resources, I had no chance.:depress:

It was a good summer however...:D

[jgc61sr2002]

A beautiful looking ride.:D

Todd - Very nice exhaust work as usual.:D

[TAF]

OK--....who trailered her in.........cause there is no....I mean...no road stuff under her.........and ....Todd---you need to ask more questions about these cars----and all you show---tell them (owners) you have alot of people on this board (say here what you want) who want to know--car people--like them----ah come on----we look for more 411 from the owners--after all---they should be willing to open up--they should be wanting to brag about their cars----==ok --my rant is off--so think about us my friend----BTW----Love your pics----------Tom=

The Merc came in on a rollback...and even though we had permission to drive...we had the rollback driver drop it right on the lift.

The '35 caddy just came driving in this afternoon...with an INCREDIBLY botched tailpipe job that was done on it last week...somewhere. He was just told he needed to come see us.

Actually...just about everyone with these type of cars are some of the most down to earth folks you'd ever meet. Pretty easy to work with...and all leave in awe of the work Bryan does (not unlike a few folks here who've been treated the same.

It's certainly more fun than board meetings, CEOs with low self-esteem (or false esteem) and waiting on a delayed flight from my past. It ain't perfect...but it's a pretty good gig.

Glad y'all continue to enjoy the pics and it brings back memories for some....

[Donny Carlson]

Glad y'all continue to enjoy the pics and it brings back memories for some....

This has become my favorite series of threads on here. And everybody, please remember these are >Todd's< photographs. Donny's only part in this is to look and enjoy.

BTW, Toddster, I drove all the way back into Buckhead to eat lunch at Fatburger. A double Kingburger, no less. Wow, I mean, Wow!

[TAF]

BTW, Toddster, I drove all the way back into Buckhead to eat lunch at Fatburger. A double Kingburger, no less. Wow, I mean, Wow!


Mmmmm....FATburger...I could have a double-fat/cheese right now...for breakfast.....

Sorry I was busy Sunday...3 girls took me hostage for the day...(my wife and daughters...put your dirty mind back in the closet, some of you)

[TAF]

The Mercedes is complete....

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL12_591403.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL13_658357.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL14_595769.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL15_628824.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL16_884388.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL17_977154.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL18_269366.JPG

[TAF]

And some motor pics for those interested...you can really see the attention to detail in this resto under the hood....

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL19.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL20.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL21.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL22.JPG

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/8/3/280SL23.JPG

[KillJoy]

Man..... that is one nice restore!

Are they going to show it? Or was it a "just because" restore?

That is a lot of money to not show that sucker off! Amazing job! Sharp exhaust too! ;)

KillJoy

[TAF]

Don't know for sure...but, I think the owner just wanted it to be back to what it looked like when she received it back in '70 for a graduation gift.

I've only dealt with the specialty restorer...not with the owner directly.