HMC- Return of the Cheeky 500

28,025 · January 27

24 minutes ago, grogee said:

Nope, not joking. It's bloody lovely

Second in the queue better than not in the queue at all.

39,715 · January 27

16 minutes ago, egg said:

Sorry to lower the mood, that's a horrible Cancer. My grandmother had it from possible war time exposure maybe, or more likely being the wife of a plumber for years.

IIRC also Steve Mcqueen’s cause of death- supposedly from being around boilers in ships in his navy days.

39,715 · January 27

Actually having had more of a look, i think its got later w124 alloys ( series 3 in my home made terminology (1993-1997)) My teeth itch slightly less.

Add that to the near new continental tyres and i think they should stay. I had in mind selling the alloys and getting some period steel wheels and trims. Yeah lets not get so anal; fiscally lets keep those non original but nice wheels and tyres perhaps? Money over aesthetics- this would be a HMC first.

Trouble is, steels on a T (“tourisme und transport) model are reinforced and model specific. Probably irrelevant these days? Dunno.

TL:DR im keeping the alloys but ditching the ugly later gopping steering wheel.

(side note- my teeth are itching again at the clash of S1 bumper corner and S2/3 glitzier tailgate trim) MUST RESOLVE

4,533 · January 27

2 minutes ago, HMC said:

Actually having had more of a look, i think its got later w124 alloys ( series 3 in my home made terminology (1993-1997)) My teeth itch slightly less.

Add that to the near new continental tyres and i think they should stay. I had in mind selling the alloys and getting some period steel for wheels and trims. Yeah lets keep those non original but nice wheels and tyres perhaps?

Trouble is, steels on a T (“tourisme und transport) model are reinforced and model specific. Probably irrelevant these days? Dunno.

TL:DR im keeping the alloys but ditching the ugly later gopping steering wheel.

Thats a beautiful motor. Well swapped.

39,715 · January 27

2 minutes ago, Cookiesouwest said:

Thats a beautiful motor. Well swapped.

Thanks! The spare is the same style alloy and also has a new conti tyre fitted. This guy was more of a nutter than me! (surely not!)

4,533 · January 27

Just now, HMC said:

Thanks! The spare is the same style alloy and also has a new conti tyre fitted. This guy was more of a nutter than me! (surely not!)

Well thats a result.

I wouldn't say nutter. You just like looking after your motors. He was the same. Kindred spirits.

39,715 · January 27

3 minutes ago, Cookiesouwest said:

Well thats a result.

I wouldn't say nutter. You just like looking after your motors. He was the same. Kindred spirits.

Like you with the rover 75. One of the very few cars I regret selling AP51CFO- i usually never remember the reg once they are gone.

52,317 · January 27

Absolutely love the interior on this thing, what a treat given the rather boring exterior colour. Mind you, I would say that, I've got form.

16,154 · January 27

1 hour ago, HMC said:

Actually having had more of a look, i think its got later w124 alloys ( series 3 in my home made terminology (1993-1997)) My teeth itch slightly less.

Add that to the near new continental tyres and i think they should stay. I had in mind selling the alloys and getting some period steel wheels and trims. Yeah lets not get so anal; fiscally lets keep those non original but nice wheels and tyres perhaps? Money over aesthetics- this would be a HMC first.

Trouble is, steels on a T (“tourisme und transport) model are reinforced and model specific. Probably irrelevant these days? Dunno.

TL:DR im keeping the alloys but ditching the ugly later gopping steering wheel.

(side note- my teeth are itching again at the clash of S1 bumper corner and S2/3 glitzier tailgate trim) MUST RESOLVE

The alloys don't look out of place to me, but I'm not a Merc paedo. I'm with you on the steering wheel though, an airbag steering wheel with no airbag is the sort of thing Fred West would have approved of.

I have to ask this - does it condition its air?

8,539 · January 27

It’s the law that S124s (especially prefacelift) have the 15-hole 15” alloys. Nothing else looks anywhere near as good.

21,958 · January 27

2 hours ago, HMC said:

Actually having had more of a look, i think its got later w124 alloys ( series 3 in my home made terminology (1993-1997)) My teeth itch slightly less.

Add that to the near new continental tyres and i think they should stay. I had in mind selling the alloys and getting some period steel wheels and trims. Yeah lets not get so anal; fiscally lets keep those non original but nice wheels and tyres perhaps? Money over aesthetics- this would be a HMC first.

Trouble is, steels on a T (“tourisme und transport) model are reinforced and model specific. Probably irrelevant these days? Dunno.

TL:DR im keeping the alloys but ditching the ugly later gopping steering wheel.

(side note- my teeth are itching again at the clash of S1 bumper corner and S2/3 glitzier tailgate trim) MUST RESOLVE

They’re the wider 16? Inch wheels. I think it would have had the 15inch 8 hole or 25 hole alloys?

39,715 · January 31

So presently, im looking to deliver on the ambition of a former owner of having a red interior on the wagon. Great idea, but in parts fell down on the execution. E bay de is proving a fairly fertile ground for looking for oem red bits (at least ones not RHD specific)

But also i thought ive nothing to loose in dyeing the current carpets in the passenger cabin, which to my eyes clash horribly with the rest of it.

Plus those fur flex door seals which should be a match for the seat colour also. My girlfriend thinks its all fine, but as I have a deep seated mental disorder i cannot leave this as is. I acknowledge this is not normal, but also it will be satisfying to max out the factory spec look for the change.

Handily the front carpets just pull out- so I could have a go at dyeing it whilst i try to play fur elise on the piano…

factory example:

Verdict- better than i expected, although my piano skills are terrible.

Even ludwig Van himself was a fan, of “mittelrot” as this colour was known on the home market

Mittlerot: BEETHOVEN approved for fashion accessories

The images of dyeing a vehicle carpet on the dining table are brought to you, clearly, by an uninhibited batchelor living the dream*

7,033 · January 31

On 27/01/2024 at 09:58, DSdriver said:

Did the previous owner have numberplate security issues?

standard merc 4 screws

18,409 · January 31

On 27/01/2024 at 20:44, 83C said:

It’s the law that S124s (especially prefacelift) have the 15-hole 15” alloys. Nothing else looks anywhere near as good.

flat face alloys ftw

17,481 · February 1

On 18/01/2024 at 09:11, cort16 said:

My bet would be enamel tractor paint. Cheap, hard wearing and easy to paint.

International's finest on the first Escort that I got behind the wheel of:

Council estate spec sawn-off bumpers, spots and square plate. Hot Crossflow because Pintos are too heavy, obvs.

That 124 is lush, hopefully it goes to L1 when the time comes so I can tempt him with gallic chod swaps.

2,374 · February 1

On 27/01/2024 at 18:37, HMC said:

Actually having had more of a look, i think its got later w124 alloys ( series 3 in my home made terminology (1993-1997)) My teeth itch slightly less.

Add that to the near new continental tyres and i think they should stay. I had in mind selling the alloys and getting some period steel wheels and trims. Yeah lets not get so anal; fiscally lets keep those non original but nice wheels and tyres perhaps? Money over aesthetics- this would be a HMC first.

Trouble is, steels on a T (“tourisme und transport) model are reinforced and model specific. Probably irrelevant these days? Dunno.

TL:DR im keeping the alloys but ditching the ugly later gopping steering wheel.

(side note- my teeth are itching again at the clash of S1 bumper corner and S2/3 glitzier tailgate trim) MUST RESOLVE

My S Class is fitted with 15in 8 hole alloys, probably from a W124. I was holding off buying tyres as I was looking for a set of 16's to fill the arches a bit more.

Could be interested in a swap if it's bugging you!

22,044 · February 1

They're W202 wheels.

39,715 · February 2

Just made a couple of small changes, but doubling down on the OEM vibe is starting to happen….

Before- grey carpet, later airbag/not airbag plastic worn smooth wheel

After- First bit of recoloured carpet in passenger footwell, and leather non airbag wheel.

39,715 · February 2

On 01/02/2024 at 12:14, Volksy said:

My S Class is fitted with 15in 8 hole alloys, probably from a W124. I was holding off buying tyres as I was looking for a set of 16's to fill the arches a bit more.

Could be interested in a swap if it's bugging you!

I had a look and these are 15s as well

18,409 · February 2

the wood in the centre console makes me cry

the rest is ace - nice job on the carpet

shame its not the chequered cloth but still nice

52,317 · February 2

noice

15,986 · February 3

On 02/02/2024 at 19:32, hairnet said:

the wood in the centre console makes me cry

the rest is ace - nice job on the carpet

shame its not the chequered cloth but still nice

Zebrano was such a popular choice for wood trim in 80s Mercedes for some reason, I really dont know why. It reminds me of cheap wood veneer on 70s furniture. Burl walnut on the other hand...

39,715 · February 4

I got hold of a proper red centre console

to replace the originally grey, now painted up, scuffed and damaged original…

And started pulling it to pieces…

Factoid- MB didnt believe in blanking panels for unspecified options- they simply had every variation pre cut into the trim cover panel stock- or maybe they were cut for each car “just in time” Either way top work lads!

Revealling the original sober 80s grey beneath

And before long we had a load of spagetti…

But before long it was all back together…

And although it looks not a lot different to most people, im happy with the result!

39,715 · February 8

On 19/01/2024 at 18:41, HMC said:

We all know how @LightBulbFun the DVLA have got ever stricter with their v888 vehicle history requests.

In my day you could just state you wanted to research the history but AFAIK you just get rebuffed these days.

But what if a personal effect has been hidden in the car…..

Lets find out….

Well the DVLA have responded….

Predictably, the “reasonable cause” criteria threshold wasnt met. I routinely used to do these on all old cars and used to state simply that it was to research the vehicle history. GDPR has shut that avenue, unless there is a legal need.

Nevertheless, hopefully the link to the Grandson will provide a lead, and i do have a couple of recent reciepts that i could use for an address to write to.

Meanwhile, lets fire up all 7 (early range rover dizzy cap and leads on the way- they share the same 35D-8 unit) and chug to the local…..

17,741 · February 8

These have hydraulic tappets that sometimes stick...

(well actually they don't - they have 8 little butlers who live under the bonnet and subsist on cake crumbs and champagne glass dregs).

There will be plenty of advice online. Give it an oil change if you haven't... (thought even that will raise the price of a barrel of Brent Crude).

17,741 · February 8

13 minutes ago, HMC said:

Well the DVLA have responded….

Predictably, the “reasonable cause” criteria threshold wasnt met. I routinely used to do these on all old cars and used to state simply that it was to research the vehicle history. GDPR has shut that avenue, unless there is a legal need. I do find it a bit curious as AFAIK at least until recently said DVLA used to monetise their personal data and sell it.

Nevertheless, hopefully the link to the Grandson will provide a lead, and i do have a couple of recent reciepts that i could use for an address to write to.

Meanwhile, lets fire up all 7 (early range rover dizzy cap and leads on the way- they share the same 35D-8 unit) and chug to the local…..

It's natural habitat - fyne dyning ...

You could continue to wind Captain Mainwaring up by responding to his letter.

61,339 · February 8

I understand your colour match compulsion. Imagine if my 'none more blue' Mondeo interior had a 'pumice' centre console. It would be against the laws of decency.

50,087 · February 8

On 01/02/2024 at 00:48, yes oui si said:

I'm sure you know, but that's a properly early MK2 - and as such has the wrong grille, should be F O R D lettering.

Even when I was a teen, an N reg MK2 was a rare sight

15,986 · February 8

Painting interior pieces gives me the fears. The paint will wear down eventually so any attempt at rectifying this with original parts is approved in my book.

39,715 · February 8

3 hours ago, Schaefft said:

Painting interior pieces gives me the fears. The paint will wear down eventually so any attempt at rectifying this with original parts is approved in my book.

My thoughts exactly. For instance I dislike rubber coated 90s VAG switches and weird non oem colour clashes (i can spot a diy job mile off) and this is it x1000

Ive almost got a compulsion to scratch the painted surfaces with my nail, cant help it 😂

HMC- Return of the Cheeky 500

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