CBoz
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Posts posted by CBoz
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Finally got around to recording some driving videos. Those of you who already have an old car know what fun they are, but I thought I'd post this out to youtube for those who haven't experienced it yet:
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I think Kaiser31 may be right; it might be a Studebaker. What's the VIN -- that would be a dead giveaway whether it was once a Zephyr or not.
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Another thought: I don't know how fat Diamondbacks are, but I know with the stock tires that clearance between my fender skirts and tires was pretty dang tight. Just something to consider.
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I'm running Coker Firestone reproduction bias ply tires with tubes on my '37. 6000 miles and no problems. There is some drift typical of bias ply tires but it's not like I'm going crazy on the speed anyway. One overlooked advantage of the tube tires is that they hold air *much* better than the tubeless tires.
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Hello Folks -
I'm looking at the W111 series coupes, and have some general questions:
1. What is the general feeling about transmissions for these cars? I see that a rebuilt automatic can be purchased for around $2000, but how reliable are these? Alternatively, how reliable are the 4-speed manuals, and how hard are they to find?
2. Am I correct in assuming that the 280 SE 3.5 V8 cars all had the shorter front grilles?
I know these are broad questions (and I'll probably have more), but am trying to focus down on what kind of W111 I might want.
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So the cabriolet is a 300SE? I've been reading around, and some folks seem pretty worried about the air suspension; others not so worried. In any case, two fantastic looking cars. You should have gone away for awhile and left the other owner to ponder where you came from.
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Yep, that's a beaut. Who knows, there might be a 3-window out there beyond repair (crushed roof, etc.) that might be a good candidate for a tasteful modification like that. Ya got good tastes there, Bwatoe!
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Riding around in a black Lincoln Continental in Texas? I dunno, I seem to recall that not going so well for someone...
Seriously, good luck and I hope you find something.
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Thanks, Marrs: I sort of think of the Zephyr coupe as a poor man's Delahaye
. BTW, even though my first *running* car was my Mustang, my first car of any sort was a 1963 MB 220SEb which I bought when I was 13 with my paper route savings. Needless to say, my folks were nonplussed, but I actually made a $200 profit when I sold it -- still not running -- 9 months later 
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Yikes, it's back!...All kidding aside, I think the body lines are interesting and unique, but that interior makes me want to hit somebody (fureur de route, anyone?)
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Second photo is a few years old, same car with driver (same paint too but different tires).
How did you know your dad was wearing different shoes?
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I think I mentioned this over in the MB thread but the last professional ground up restoration of a 540k Cab "A" ran that I know about ran around 700k. I have personal knowledge of a 100 point restoration of a Cab "A" done in the 80s that ran 300k. That was with the owner doing a lot of work himself. Not cheap to restore!
... which is why I'm perfectly happy to enjoy this restoration vicariously
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Two new pics showing the bare wooden frame of the car. A stark reminder of the low-volume nature of these vehicles, and the potential complexity of restoring one (sort of makes me glad my non-classics are unibodies;))
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Some recent pics of the '37 Cabriolet restoration. The engine and tranny will need a thorough going through. My friend also tells me about 20% of the wood will have to be replaced. And as you can see, the wiring cluster will need a *little* work
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Will do! The pic with the fenders on was taken before I saw the car; I hadn't noticed the difference, but you are right.
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Hey -- I'm not sure who the owner is, but from what I understand the car was purchased in its current state several decades ago, and the restoration is finally getting started, so it's been out of commission for probably 40+ years. From what little I know, I don't think the front fenders are the original style. Sorry I can't provide more details.
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Here's a couple more. The top may be original (but obviously due for replacement). My friend is looking for copies of body and shop manuals that would help with the restoration. If you have or know of a good source, let me know!
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Thought you all might find this interesting. My friend is in the middle of a restoration of a '37 540K cabriolet. Here's a pic of them removing the body from the frame.
I don't know about the rest of you, but while a restored car is a beautiful thing, there's just something about one in process that makes you want to roll up your sleeves and dive in. I've got two restored non-classics under my belt, but I'm starting to get the "itch" for something...
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Sanders did my glass a few years back (very nice job). The only mark they put on was a reproduction of the original Ford mark, which they are licensed to do. Here's their discussion of the requirements:
http://www.sandersreproglass.com/glass_logo.php
Anyway, here's their main link (I highly recommend them): http://www.sandersreproglass.com/
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Yep, I had my car positioned across from Sam Mann's 540 special roadster at the Indy celebration last summer, so I developed a quick appreciation for MB engineering of the period.
I also had a chance last week to inspect a 540 supercharged cabriolet undergoing restoration -- massive boxed frame, hidden wood framing, lubrication lines to the front a-arms, massive drums, dual coil springs for each rear wheel, maybe a half dozen braces beneath the cowl alone. The car is so stiff my friend told me that if you jack up the back wheel, the front one will come off the ground
Heck, even the piece holding the spare tires on the back seemed to be lathed out of a solid piece of steel.But a couple things baffled me. The radiator and chrome shell were one piece; must have made repair a nightmare. Also, as far as I could tell, if you needed to take the driveshaft out, you'd pretty much have to lift the body off. Certainly not a machine for the tree-shade mechanic!
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Checked out some of the specs on the 290 at these sites:
and
http://www.autoevolution.com/engine/mercedes-benz-typ-290-roadster-w18-1936-290.html#chars
Straight 6, 86 horsepower, 3800 lbs, top speed 67 mph. If I didn't know better, I'd have thought it was a Chevy truck
PS -- Yes, I'm a CCCA member, so don't shoot me!
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I too saw it on Ebay. Here's an enlarged view.
Good grief, Keith, get rid of that pic or Obama will slap a $7K tax credit on every one of them that Nissan builds. Sort of a "cash for caca" program.
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I didn't think the factory wires were strong enough for the weight of the armor. Is the car on the left really armored?
Btw, I like the styling as far as 2 door sedans go.
Not sure about the wheels, but if the boxed frame of this car is representative, the rest of the car should hold up fine
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I'll be there Friday and part of Saturday. See ya'll then!
. BTW, even though my first *running* car was my Mustang, my first car of any sort was a 1963 MB 220SEb which I bought when I was 13 with my paper route savings. Needless to say, my folks were nonplussed, but I actually made a $200 profit when I sold it -- still not running -- 9 months later 
Driving videos
in Lincoln & Zephyr
Posted
Yeah, people really don't realize what good driving cars these are -- you don't have to drop an overcammed Cheby smallblock in them to enjoy them. That said, I wouldn't mind the later hydraulic brakes!