W124 Coupe of the German Persuasion

[NorthernMonkey]

Due to the imminent collection of a Germanic companion in the barn for the ex-Barret A8, there MAY be the possibility of an empty transporter heading from Burnley, East Lancs to the midlands on Saturday afternoon should anyone be in urgent need....

[NorthernMonkey]

Well en-route....god, I forgot how much I hate the M6, especially when you're limited to 56mph!

[Skizzer]

Could be worse mate, at least you're not fetching a Renault 20 or you'd probably have been blown up by them pesky foreign terrorists by now.

 

 

(Apols if we've done that joke to death already, I've been away)

[MarvinsMom]

oh no, that is a joke that keeps on giving!

[NorthernMonkey]

Finally back home having dropped the Merc back at the unit...no pics as yet (unless Richard wants to pop some of his up) as my phone battery died just north of Rugby.

First impressions are very favourable...a couple of bits of welding on the rear corner and front wing but other than that, it's a stunning looking car. Incidentally, having made the schoolboy error of taking the boss with me and leaving her to wander around Richards fleet, it's looking increasingly like there's going to be a return visit in the next couple of weeks......

[mrbenn]

Incidentally, having made the schoolboy error of taking the boss with me and leaving her to wander around Richards fleet, it's looking increasingly like there's going to be a return visit in the next couple of weeks......

Bet you didn't expect that!

 

Looking forward to some pics of the Merc.

[NorthernMonkey]

Haha....she's dafter about cars than me and I fix/sell the things for a living!

Pictures of the MB coming soon...going to have a walk down to the unit in a bit and see what I've done bearing in mind it was pitch black when I saw it for the first time last night. WCPGW?? Knowing Richard and his obsession for detail with his cars, I know I've nothing to fear though...I've seen enough to know it's certainly in far nicer condition than a £350 W124 coupe has any right to be...

[NorthernMonkey]

Ok....purchase duly investigated in daylight!

 

As suspected, it's not in bad condition at all.

The worst (currently visible) grot is in the n/s/r corner...

 

 

 

Not quite sure how I'm going to attack this....think I'm going to invest in a reasonably priced MIG set up and have a go at teaching myself the dark art of metal melting...if anyone's got any advice re kit etc, feel free to shout up now. Whilst I'm at it, I may have a go at holy bit number two...

 

 

Other than these bits, the rest doesn't look too bad. There's a bit of lacquer peel on the bonnet but considering both wings are going to need painting eventually, it's not really an issue. What may well be slightly more problematic are the front jacking points...I'm going to get it up in the air in the next few days on the two poster for a more thorough investigation but removal of the front blanking plate things on both sill covers reveal evidence of a bit of brown crumbly stuff...exactly how much will no doubt become apparent in due course but to be honest, I'm not in the least bit concerned....I've read enough threads on the blue side to know these things are to be expected on a cheap W124 and I'm sure I'll come out on the other side with a newly increased skill set. Either that or a charred pile where my workshop used to be before I attempted welding...

 

Inside, all is very good indeed for its age

 

 

Further evidence of what a thoroughly decent chap RichardK is for leaving a funky Sony head unit and changer along with a brand new Bosch wiper blade in the footwell. In the boot, it's like Christmas morning...

 

 

I haven't fully explored yet but there's definitely a pair of white front indicators and a box file rammed with lots of history and docs, as well as a second remote fob and some more keys!

So to sum up, it appears to be a very viable proposition for a lightish restoration which in due course will hopefully result in a usable practical classic old Merc. It's going to be a bit of a learning curve but one which I'm looking forward to. I've always had a soft spot for these old things and it's my best chance of getting one before prices head skywards which I'm sure they probably will in the future.

Oh yes, and the nasty tints and chopped springs will be among the first to go, along with that hideous front number plate!

 

 

By the way, I must remember not to leave the bonnet up in this position when it's on the two poster or the sills will be the least of my worries!!

 

 

[doug]

I have a spare Haynes manual. PM me an address if you want it.

[xtriple]

I foughted you meened a fiat... I is sad.... but not very Well bought, I like these old Mercs, very cool.

[richardmorris]

The wheels look wider than mine- must be the 7.5j ones for the wider tyres? They're certainly everyday useable - coming up to 30,000 miles in four years on mine.

[twosmoke300]

I have a spare Roll of mig wire and a bottle of gas .PM me an address if you want it.

Ftfy

[warren t claim]

Even as a former W124 owner I was expecting this thread to be about a Fiat.

[Six-cylinder]

Even as a former W124 owner I was expecting this thread to be about a Fiat.

So was I until I read it more carefully for the "Germanic" bit.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

"Look , it's Autoshite, the only place in the world that stupid middle aged men even remember these things exist- and get excited by the thought"

 

( and yes,I'm another one)

[NorthernMonkey]

Oops..sorry to disappoint all those of you expecting some hot Italian action! If it's any consolation, there could well turn out to be similar levels of brown bits hiding under the sill covers as would truly befit an ancient Fiat?

I have a spare Haynes manual. PM me an address if you want it.

I've actually got one already among a stack I inherited when I took over my existing premises. Thanks for the offer though....it's greatly appreciated. As to the MIG-wire mentioned in the other post though, that's a different matter!

That reminds me, I really must get around to posting a list of the aforementioned manuals if anyone is after one for the cost of the postage

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

Nice cars, these. Personally I would keep the orange indicators - I prefer them.

[richardmorris]

Orange do look better with the larger grill.

[billyboy406v6]

I like mine a lot, just a bit of rot on front wing above bumper. Main dealer worth a call for parts as they are not always that pricey, I expected my local dealer to be a bit snobby, but quite the opposite, said "we can order just about anything, sir" ! Genuine spark plugs were £3.00 each !!

[forddeliveryboy]

Many parts cheaper/similar price at MD than motor factors - which when you consider a bottom balljoint lasts a decade and the rest if genuine and a couple of years if not, is a bit of a pain to change and can fire the wheel into a less than vertical plane when a worn one fails (which they do), it's a no brainer.

[NorthernMonkey]

This ones going to be a keeper so whilst the springs are replaced with uncut ones, I'll replace the bottom joints with genuine bits too...I saw what happened to Lord Sterlings!!

[Lord Sterling]

Nice car, C124s seem to survive quite well, there certaimly isn't a shortage of them just yet.

 

Despite the small shock to finances I've had recently, I'm still going to try and get mine repaired.

[NorthernMonkey]

Finally got it up on the ramp today and stripped all the trim from the worse side...

 

Rear quarter (which I already knew about)

 

Rear jacking point

 

Front jacking point

 

And front wing

 

All told, I'm happy as f***!! Was expecting rather less Merc under the sill cover...I know the other side is yet to be revealed but the rear quarter and front wing are fine there, as well as the rear jacking point from what bit I can see of it. Even the front one looks less ravaged on that side, although it's still going to get repaired with a new section from MB.

That just leaves a new set of springs all round, new front bottom ball joints and maybe a set of rear diff mount bushes as these look a bit dog eared then it won't be far off being testable!!

My mate has offered to attack it with his gas bottles and magic sticks over the hols...I did fancy getting a MIG setup and having a go myself but I really fancy getting this on the road sooner rather than later! Having said that, I'm not sure if that front wing is saveable or whether I'd be better off looking for a better example? Don't suppose anyone's got a wing kicking around?!?

[forddeliveryboy]

If it's an original, could be worth the bother of doing a decent repair. If it's not, then I wouldn't bother - fit another. Don't think I've a spare panel, but will look. Plenty of other 124 bits if you need any.

[NorthernMonkey]

Brill! I think most of its there but there's almost certainly going to be one or two bits required as we go along. Re the wing, I'm fairly certain it's the original one but tbh I wouldn't have a clue where to start with a repair? Can you get metallic grey gaffer tape a la 2001 Mondy?

Best get googling bodywork and welding techniques....

[cort16]

I'd get another wing it's not worth the hassle of fixing it. It arch looks s bit threadbare I suspect hitting it hard with a wire wheel would see some holes . It also means you can lash loads of anti rust gunk on the back. The downside is you need to paint it. Is the wing the same as the saloon?

[NorthernMonkey]

Not sure to be honest? Can't see any difference on the bay listings for coupe wings anyhows....hopefully someone with more old Merc knowledge than me (not setting the bar too high there...promise) will be along shortly to confirm one way or the other??

[NorthernMonkey]

Actually, painting fills me with far less dread than metal melting....for one thing it's hard to set fire to anything with a spray gun and I've got a bloody great compressor anyway so that's another bonus...

[richardmorris]

Everything front of the bulkhead fits any model.

[NorthernMonkey]

Result! As much as I'd like to keep it original, I really think a new wing is the way to go, especially as the bonnet needs painting too. In fact, depending on how many holes appear in the other one when I start cleaning it up, it may well get two....any recommendations on suppliers or is it just a case of spinning the roulette wheel of the bay?